Two I-80 lakes to be treated to remove unwanted fish

Two Interstate 80 lakes in south-central Nebraska soon will be renovated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to remove unwanted fish species.

During the week of July 20, Lake No. 1 at Windmill State Recreation Area near Gibbon and the east lake at Dogwood Wildlife Management Area near Overton will be treated with the fish toxicant rotenone to eliminate fish populations. 

An aquatic habitat and angler access project recently was completed at Windmill. As part of the project, a new bypass channel and dikes were created around Lake No. 1 to reroute flood waters and prevent future flooding and the introduction of undesirable fish species.

Common carp and gizzard shad were introduced during previous floods and have negatively affected aquatic habitat conditions and the quality of the Windmill Lake No. 1 fishery. At Dogwood Lake, common carp populations are higher than desired, leading to poor water quality and declining abundance of bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass.

Both lakes will be restocked with yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass this fall. With undesirable fish species absent, biologists anticipate a rapid recovery of the fishery due to improved water quality and aquatic habitat conditions.   

For questions about fisheries management at these two areas, contact Game and Parks’ south-central district office at 308-865-5310.

To find information about fishing in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish.