[ODFW-News] Diamond Lake fish stocking will occur in mid-May

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Diamond Lake fish stocking will occur in mid-May 
 
ROSEBURG - A scheduled stocking of rainbow trout for the spring trout
opener at Diamond Lake likely will be delayed until the lake's ice melts
in mid-May, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. 
 
"For a typical winter weather pattern at Diamond Lake, which we've had
this year, the ice usually isn't off the lake until about mid-May," said
Dave Loomis, ODFW's Incident Commander for the Diamond Lake Restoration
Project. "We'll stock about 20,000 trout once the ice breaks off and
another 4,000 for Free Fishing Weekend in early June." 
 
The Umpqua National Forest and ODFW currently are lowering the lake's
water level in preparation for a September rotenone treatment to rid the
lake of unwanted tui chub. Because the lake's water level is unstable,
the agencies recommend keeping off the lake's surface while ice is still
on.
 
"Our number one priority is public safety, and right now the ice is
unstable and cracking, so it's very dangerous, and we advise the public
to keep off," said John Ouimet, Diamond Lake District Ranger. "However,
once the ice starts to break up, come on up, the fishing should be
good."
 
Ouimet also said once ice is off, lake access will be limited because
some of the boat launches will be dry. The Forest Service will lengthen
one or two of the docks to provide public boat access. Bank fishing also
is available.
 
When spring trout fishing resumes at the lake, the lake level will be
lower, exposing the drainage canal, head gates, and weir. ODFW reminds
anglers it is illegal to fish within 200 feet of a weir. The catch limit
of five trout per day, two daily limits in possession remains in effect.
 
In September, ODFW will treat the lake with rotenone, a fish toxicant,
to rid the lake of an estimated 98 million tui chub. The chub were
illegally introduced to the lake and have taken over the stocked rainbow
trout's food source, causing both the fishery and water quality to
decline. Diamond Lake was closed for portions of three summers due to
health hazards from poor water quality.
 
For more information, check the web site at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/diamond_lake/index.asp 
 

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