Fishery closure proposed.
MUSKEGO - The main tap to Little Muskego Lake has been closed for about a month and pumps have been employed to remove standing water from parts of the basin.
The planned drawdown is primarily intended to kill or reduce the abundance of starry stonewort, an aquatic invasive species found in the lake.
As a result, as of Tuesday Little Muskego's water level had fallen about six feet, exposing vast stretches of shoreline and leaving docks and piers high and dry.
Waterfowl, including great egrets and American coots, are finding the changes to their liking.
But boating and fishing season is effectively over at the popular Waukesha County lake.
As the lake retreats to its historic, deep confines, concern has heightened over the potential for overharvest of fish this winter when access is available to anglers.
If the drawdown hits its target of seven feet, 506-acre Little Muskego is projected to be reduced by 36% of its total water volume and an even greater percentage of its surface dimensions.
Most fish would be concentrated in the lake's southern basin.
"We don't want to get to a point we're promoting the proverbial 'shooting fish in a barrel,' " said Ben Heussner, Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist. "Our goal is to help the fishery survive the drawdown."
Although it wasn't spelled out in the drawdown project presented last summer by the DNR and later approved by Muskego authorities, Heussner said Wednesday he is proposing a temporary closure for the Little Muskego fishery.
"It’s something I'd like to see done to protect it," Heussner said. "The higher density may make the fish more vulnerable to overharvest this winter."
The proposal will be the subject of a special meeting Oct. 17 in Muskego.
Heussner said he'd would like to utilize an emergency rule to close the fishery Nov. 1 and reopen it to normal regulations on March 4, 2018.
Closure of the season will conserve the game fish supply until water levels are restored and insure continued opportunities for good fishing, according to the agency.
Heussner said he didn't propose the closure earlier because he was unsure how quickly and successfully the lake's water level would drop.
Once it became apparent the remaining fish would be grouped in the relatively small but deep southern part of the lake, Heussner decided to recommend the closure.
The proposal will meet with approval from many local anglers who share Heussner's concerns.
"At any given time, the remaining pools of water could and will become heavily fished and unfortunately, not all fishermen believe in catch and release," said Phil Schmitz of Muskego, who has lived on the lake for 50 years. "I sure would hate to see this fishery be jeopardized by a few individuals who think they have all the answers."
Little Muskego has a healthy, diverse population of fish, according to Heussner, including largemouth bass, northern pike and several panfish species, all of which naturally reproduce.
In 2015, the lake also was stocked with extended growth walleyes.
The bass and pike show good growth rates and have good size structures, Heussner said. But bluegills are present in high densities and show poor growth rates.
The proposed closure is for all species of fish.
The effect of the drawdown on its intended target – starry stonewort – and native inhabitants of the lake won't be apparent until next year, at the earliest.
Under the circumstances, a temporary closure of the fishery is both the responsible and
ethical thing to do.
The meeting to discuss and receive public input on the potential fishing closure on Little Muskego Lake will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. next Tuesday in the Muskego Room of Muskego City Hall at W182 S8200 Racine Ave.
Written comments on the proposed closure also will be accepted and should be sent by Oct. 17 to Benjamin Heussner, S91 W39091 Highway 59, Eagle WI. 53119 or by email at benjamin.heussner@wisconsin.gov.
Heussner said a formal decision will be made after Tuesday's meeting. If a closure is enacted, it will posted at public access points around the lake. Bong entrance station
closed: Pheasant hunters planning to hunt at Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville this season are advised of a change in location to purchase their hunting permits.
Due to a temporary closure of the park's main entrance station for repairs, hunters will be required to purchase their permits at the Molinaro/Nature Visitor Center.
The visitor center is located a few hundred yards past the entrance station.
The visitor center will open at 8 a.m. each day of the season; hunters should plan on arriving early so they can get their permits and get to hunting locations by the opening of the season at 9 a.m.
The Wisconsin pheasant hunting season opens Saturday and runs through Dec. 31.