(Ruthven)– December 10th has been set as the date for a public informational meeting for Lost Island Lake.
The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. that evening at the Lost Island Nature Center near Ruthven.
It’s being put on by the Lost Island Protective Association, the Lost Island-Ruthven Betterment Association and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Organizers say the intent of the session is to discuss improving water quality and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat in the lake and its watershed, which covers portions of Palo Alto and Clay counties.
A recent water quality study by the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program and additional surveys by DNR Fisheries revealed carp dominate the lake and other waterbodies connected to it. Carp are known to be detrimental to water quality by constantly stirring up the bottom of the lake.
Officials say the goal of the locally-driven Lost Island Lake Watershed Improvement Enhancement Project is to restore ecological health to sustain a better sport fishery, attract migrating waterfowl and other birds, and provide improved recreational and education opportunities for citizens.
The proposed management plan calls for the removal of carp from the watershed using fish barriers and predatory fish. Plans also call for commercial harvesting of carp during a temporary draw-down of the lake.
