By Steve Weisman
Outdoor Editor

(Photo by Mike Hawkins)
Thanks to the Iowa DNR and Diamond Concrete the clean out has been completed at the mouth of the Templar Park Lagoon.

Well, it looks as if our weather is now going to become a little more consistent with daytime temperatures in the 50s to 60s, which I am sure the dock and hoist setters have been waiting for. After all, on the conservative side, there are over 3,300 docks and over 8,700 hoists on the Iowa Great Lakes chain of lakes. The dock and hoist workers definitely need the time. After the late, late ice-out in 2023, I’m sure this year looks much better.

Now, it becomes a countdown rush toward the Walleye Opener. The panfish bite should certainly take off with these types of temperatures. Just being out in consistent 50 to 60-degree weather will be a joy!

We can also be thankful for the rainfall we have received. There have been no huge snowstorms or torrential rains, just the type of moisture that soaks in. At the same time, the lakes are slowly filling, and, yes, I mean slowly. I’d rather have that, though, than heavy deluges and flooding!

When the ice went off the lakes, Big Spirit was over 13 inches below the spillway, as of this past weekend, Big Spirit was about 9+ inches low. Meanwhile, the Okobojis are now 1 inch over the Lower Gar outlet. The rivers, too, are slowly getting more flow, and the wetlands are slowly filling. It’s also time to check out the fishing on our inland rivers.

Northern pike eggs collected

Yes, the northern pike fyke netting began at the end of March According to Spirit Lake Hatchery Manager, Kim Hawkins, the recent rain had raised the water levels on Big Spirit so that there was a flow coming into Big Spirit Lake from Hales Slough. The cold temperatures made going slow, but by the hope was by last weekend, the number of pike eggs would be reached meeting the goal of 1,075,000 eggs. That will equal 18 quarts of eggs.

Walleye gillnetting underway

Meanwhile, the walleye gillnetting is now underway with the hope that the milder temperatures will make things go more quickly than the northern pike fyke netting did. According to Hawkins, surface water temperatures should be in the mid-40s, which will trigger the walleye spawn. The normal gillnetting dates traditionally begin about April 8 to April 12. The 2024 walleye fry request is 71,000,000 fry which equates to about 117,000,000 eggs collected.

The Spirit Lake Hatchery is now open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. I would guess that any time after Wednesday of this week would be a great time to check out the Hatchery.

Problem addressed

One of the most used boat ramps on Big Spirit Lake is the ramp at Templar Park Lagoon, it’s easy access and protected. However, when I went there in mid-March to panfish from shore, there were pylons blocking off the ramp and a note on each pylon to enter at your own risk.

The reason? The mouth of the Templar Park Lagoon had silted in, and with the lower waters, there was not enough water to motor through from the lagoon out to the main lake. Waves coming from north and northeast winds roll in and deposit sediment right in the channel, and sure enough, eventually it becomes silted in. Then it’s time for a clean out.

Right away, there was an outcry, even though it was still March…something needed to be done, and as usual, the clean out had to be done YESTERDAY…even though it was mid-March!

Cleanout completed

Well, as of Friday, March 29, the clean out was completed! Initiated by the Iowa DNR, and the excavation work of Diamond Concrete, along with the cooperation of the South Templar Park landowners for their patience, the clean out has been completed. Get this one…24 truckloads of sediment were excavated.

This seems to be needed every couple of years, but at least we’re set for 2024!