Reece.

Fisheries staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently conducted its annual stocking of walleye into the Iowa River. Just weeks ago 90,000 two-inch walleye were stocked in the river from Marshalltown to Coralville Reservoir. The fish were released from a stocking truck at boat accesses in Marshall, Tama, Benton, Iowa and Johnson counties.

The walleyes released are Mississippi River strain walleye that were reared at the Fairport State Fish Hatchery near Muscatine. The survival rates of river strain walleyes are greater than lake strain walleyes. Survival rates should be good this year given the low river level and relatively clearer water. High water and turbidity are detrimental to recently released fish.

Upon release the fish generally take about two weeks to acclimate to their new environment and this year they should do well.

Due to low natural reproduction, if you catch a walleye in the Iowa River the probability is it is one that was stocked with your purchase of a fishing license. The sale of fishing licenses pays for the stocking program. This program has resulted in large walleyes in our interior rivers. The largest walleye that I ever observed caught anywhere was 32 inches long and it came from the Iowa River in Tama County!

In addition to an annual release of walleye the DNR generally releases about 10,000 three-inch Northern Pike into the Iowa River.

Other stocked fish that make their way into our section of the Iowa River include white bass and wiper which make spring migration runs up the river from Coralville Reservoir. I recently watched a fisherman catch an 8 pound 24 inch wiper from the Iowa River in Tama County!

Natural reproduction of some game fish species such as channel and flathead catfish does occur in the Iowa River and stocking is not needed for these species.

In other news, the DNR will relax the fishing regulations at Otter Creek Lake, near Toledo, starting June 15 to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lake is dewatered this fall for a planned lake restoration project. The fish population will be renovated to remove common carp and yellow bass from the lake.   

Anglers with a valid sport fishing license may harvest all sizes and unlimited quantities of any species of fish from Otter Creek Lake. Any number of fishing poles is allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. 

Liberalized fishing regulations for Otter Creek Lake will be in effect from June 15 to December 31, 2021. Otter Creek Lake and Park hours are from sunrise to 10:30 p.m.

Specific regulation changes include: removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass, removal of bag limit on channel catfish, and removal of bag limit on crappie and bluegill.

Dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances are not allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.

The lake restoration contractor is scheduled to move in on July 6 resulting in the closure of the boat ramp. Access to the boat ramp and west side of Otter Creek Park will be closed until the restoration project is completed.  No boating of any kind will be allowed on Otter Creek Lake.  Fishing will be allowed only along the east lake shoreline.

The DNR will restock the lake with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish after the restoration project is complete and the lake has refilled.