On Monday, May 7, the Iowa DNR Fisheries unit released 178 muskellunge into Big Hollow Lake. Left over from a project at the Lake Rathbun Hatchery, the fish - most often called "Muskies" - averaged 12 to 13 inches in length. They were released at the boat ramp around noon. DMCC staff and a photographer from the Hawk Eye were present for the release.
"We didn't have a lot of notice," said Chris Lee, DMCC Operations Supervisor. "The DNR called us in the morning and said they were on their way down from Rathbun."
Not a bad surprise for a Monday morning.
According to Chad Dolan, DNR Fisheries Biologist, this one time stocking equates to about one fish per acre and anglers can expect the fish to reach sizes of almost 40 inches in the future. The fish will not reproduce naturally in the lake.
The DNR estimates the cost of raising those fish was about $12 a piece.
"We feed them minnows. That's how they get so big so fast," said Chris Clouse, the DNR Hatchery Biologist who delivered the one year old fish. "But that also makes them pretty costly to raise. These probably cost the hatchery about $12 a fish."
For more information on DNR Fisheries, visit www.iowadnr.gov.