blake
Life Member
NEWS:
From the IDNR:
Larscheid Named Chief for Fisheries Bureau
Posted: May 5, 2009
DES MOINES - Joe Larscheid, 44, of Bondurant, was promoted to chief for fisheries bureau at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, on May 1. Larscheid had been supervisor for the fisheries research section since 2008.
Larscheid received a BS and MS from the University of Wyoming, in Laramie. He joined the DNR as the natural lakes research biologist at Spirit Lake in 1991, and led research projects that improved survival of hatchery produced muskie and walleye. Both species were caught in record numbers during the spring gill netting at Spirit Lake and the Okobojis.
Larscheid replaced Marion Conover, who retired in December.
Lake Rathbun to be Angler Destination in 2009
Posted: May 5, 2009
MORAVIA - One of Iowa's most dynamic lakes is poised to offer excellent fishing later this month that will last all summer long. Lake Rathbun, in southern Iowa's Appanoose County, has traditionally been a walleye, catfish and crappie destination for anglers across Iowa and the Midwest beginning in middle to late May.
"There is tremendous fishing to be had, no doubt about it," said Mark Flammang, fisheries biologist at Lake Rathbun. "There is going to be some really excellent fishing for walleyes this year, and for white bass and channel catfish."
Lake Rathbun is also home to Honey Creek Resort State Park that offers full hook-up RV camping, cabins and hotel rooms to relax in after a day of fishing. The resort has as a restaurant, indoor water park, 18-hole golf course and trails on site.
Flammang said anglers will find a huge year class of walleyes measuring 17 to 18-1/2 inches that will make up the majority of the catch. "People are really going to have some excellent fishing this year for walleyes," he said.
Walleye fishing usually begins in late May and lasts through the summer. Anglers should look for any points or underwater humps as potentially attractive to walleyes. Use night crawlers on a jig or a live bait harness, or cast or troll crankbaits. "This type of fishing is something a novice angler can pick up on as long as they are in the right spot," Flammang said.
Also around the end of May, the white bass fishing begins. White bass is one of the hardest fighting fish and offers fast action. It is a great species to introduce someone to fishing. Fish the same areas as walleyes and use flashy blade baits or heavy steel baits.
"There is a tremendous number of 12 to 15-inch white bass and fishing should be quite good," Flammang said. "From late May on, white bass fishing is always a possibility."
Once the weather warms, Lake Rathbun will have good fishing for channel catfish through the summer. Use any of the commercially prepared catfish baits or night crawlers and fish from shore or a boat. The lake is full of catfish.
Although not likely a huge factor this year, the crappies in Lake Rathbun are abundant, but may be toward the lower end of angler acceptable size. There is a large year class of 8 to 9-inch crappies that should be pushing 10 inches by the end of the summer. A traditional jig and minnow works best for crappies.
"Lake Rathbun is a prime system to see fast growth rates in fish," Flammang said. "The crappies will grow quickly. Everything out there is going to grow quickly. I am expecting a good fishing year."
For more information on Honey Creek Resort State Park, go to http://honeycreekresort.com/.
From the IDNR:
Larscheid Named Chief for Fisheries Bureau
Posted: May 5, 2009
DES MOINES - Joe Larscheid, 44, of Bondurant, was promoted to chief for fisheries bureau at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, on May 1. Larscheid had been supervisor for the fisheries research section since 2008.
Larscheid received a BS and MS from the University of Wyoming, in Laramie. He joined the DNR as the natural lakes research biologist at Spirit Lake in 1991, and led research projects that improved survival of hatchery produced muskie and walleye. Both species were caught in record numbers during the spring gill netting at Spirit Lake and the Okobojis.
Larscheid replaced Marion Conover, who retired in December.
Lake Rathbun to be Angler Destination in 2009
Posted: May 5, 2009
MORAVIA - One of Iowa's most dynamic lakes is poised to offer excellent fishing later this month that will last all summer long. Lake Rathbun, in southern Iowa's Appanoose County, has traditionally been a walleye, catfish and crappie destination for anglers across Iowa and the Midwest beginning in middle to late May.
"There is tremendous fishing to be had, no doubt about it," said Mark Flammang, fisheries biologist at Lake Rathbun. "There is going to be some really excellent fishing for walleyes this year, and for white bass and channel catfish."
Lake Rathbun is also home to Honey Creek Resort State Park that offers full hook-up RV camping, cabins and hotel rooms to relax in after a day of fishing. The resort has as a restaurant, indoor water park, 18-hole golf course and trails on site.
Flammang said anglers will find a huge year class of walleyes measuring 17 to 18-1/2 inches that will make up the majority of the catch. "People are really going to have some excellent fishing this year for walleyes," he said.
Walleye fishing usually begins in late May and lasts through the summer. Anglers should look for any points or underwater humps as potentially attractive to walleyes. Use night crawlers on a jig or a live bait harness, or cast or troll crankbaits. "This type of fishing is something a novice angler can pick up on as long as they are in the right spot," Flammang said.
Also around the end of May, the white bass fishing begins. White bass is one of the hardest fighting fish and offers fast action. It is a great species to introduce someone to fishing. Fish the same areas as walleyes and use flashy blade baits or heavy steel baits.
"There is a tremendous number of 12 to 15-inch white bass and fishing should be quite good," Flammang said. "From late May on, white bass fishing is always a possibility."
Once the weather warms, Lake Rathbun will have good fishing for channel catfish through the summer. Use any of the commercially prepared catfish baits or night crawlers and fish from shore or a boat. The lake is full of catfish.
Although not likely a huge factor this year, the crappies in Lake Rathbun are abundant, but may be toward the lower end of angler acceptable size. There is a large year class of 8 to 9-inch crappies that should be pushing 10 inches by the end of the summer. A traditional jig and minnow works best for crappies.
"Lake Rathbun is a prime system to see fast growth rates in fish," Flammang said. "The crappies will grow quickly. Everything out there is going to grow quickly. I am expecting a good fishing year."
For more information on Honey Creek Resort State Park, go to http://honeycreekresort.com/.