Results of Increased Fish Harvest in Lost Island Lake

Abstract

Abstract Lost Island Lake in northwest Iowa is a shallow glacial lake with a surface area of 1,260 acres. It is an important fishing lake, and management practices have centered around the maintenance of fishing for the black bullhead (Ameiurus m. melas). Following a partial freeze-out in 1940–41 a large year class of black bullheads was produced. The growth of this year class was observed from 1941 to 1950. By 1946 it was apparent that the growth was slow and stunting had occurred. This condition was coupled with the presence of a large carp (Cyprinus carpio) population and a low volume of potential food organisms. Recommendations were made to harvest as many carp as possible and to remove the catch limits on bullheads. Carp removal ranged from 80.8 pounds per acre in 1946 to 23.6 pounds per acre in 1950. Creel census revealed that a minimum of 842,000 bullheads were harvested by hook and line during the 3-year period from 1946 through 1948, with a catch of 5.2 fish per hour in 1946 and 1947. The harvest...