After being drained almost completely last year for a restoration project, West Boggs Lake in Loogootee is full again, several months ahead of schedule.
Last fall, the lake was drawn down to about 10 percent of its normal volume so that biologists from the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife could renovate the lake’s fishery. The lake had been invaded by gizzard shad, which had stunted bluegill growth and caused bass numbers to decline.
Last November, the first phase of fish stocking was completed. The fish stocked included 462,476 bluegill, 195,245 redear sunfish and 104,374 largemouth bass fingerlings.
A total of 816 adult largemouth bass that lived in the lake before the renovation were also restocked. The bass had been salvaged by anglers in the spring during tournaments and in the fall by biologists using electrofishing. Fifty-five adult channel catfish were also returned.
The lake is open to boating and fishing, but DNR fisheries biologist Dave Kittaka said anglers should keep in mind that the vast majority of fish are only a year old.
