Muskies to be stocked in Lake Everett

Indiana DNR Release:

ARCOLA – State fisheries biologists plan to approve a private request to stock muskies in Lake Everett in an ongoing effort to reduce an unwanted population of gizzard shad in the 43-acre lake northwest of Fort Wayne.

The step comes after an attempt to reduce shad abundance in September 2008, when DNR biologists applied 21 gallons of rotenone to the lake. Some shad survived and many returned to the lake by swimming up the outlet ditch.

Based on results of a survey conducted by the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife in early June, shad are still the most abundant fish in the lake, accounting for nearly half of the fish biomass.

"We knew some shad would eventually get back into Lake Everett but heavy rains this spring raised the water level in the ditch and allowed many to return," said Jed Pearson, DNR biologist. "We now need to look into other options to manage the shad population."

Gizzard shad are silver-colored fish that compete for food with bluegills and other popular sport fish. Their flesh is oily and of little interest to anglers. Although they are native to many Indiana lakes and rivers, including Lake Everett and the Eel River watershed, shad numbers can reach nuisance levels when predator densities are low. Biologists hope the stocked muskies will eat many of the shad in the lake.

According to Pearson, the Webster Lake Musky Club, headquartered in North Webster, has offered to purchase 250 muskie fingerlings this fall from a private hatchery in Wisconsin to stock Lake Everett. For that to be legal, the DNR must first issue a permit.

"We’re glad to see the Lake Webster Musky Club step forward to make this offer," Pearson said. "Muskies will not only eat some of the shad, they will provide more muskie fishing opportunities in the area."

Muskies are currently stocked in seven lakes in Kosciusko, Noble and Fulton counties but none are stocked in the Fort Wayne area. Once muskies are released in Lake Everett, plans are to continue to stock the lake with the fish annually.