Yes, that is what I mean by total renovation.

Yes, it is possible to use low-dose piscicides that are somewhat shad selective due to application levels. But because it is possible does not mean it is practicle or cost effective. This process is being used for gizzard shad study as well as other porcesses, such as our winter drawdown here.

Yes, stocking a large preditor would help control shad populations, but again the leve of control and the cost effectivness of that has not seemed to work out well so far. Prior to the 1994 renovation, West Boggs was home to a sizable population of wipers. The shad numbers may be been lower then than now, but not enough to offset the need for the renovation.

I think the shad at West Boggs were reintroduced as an intentional illegal stocking. Several tips received independantly over a few years time indicated a small group of bass anglers from an area south of the lake. Nothing was produced to take that case to court, but if it had been we were prepared to file a civil suit for damages that would have ran into the millions of dollars. It was, and still is, my opinion that one such suit against an individual or individuaals that took everything they owned would get the right message out about this issue.

The lake was shad free from 1994 thru 1999 in annual fishery surveys. They came from outside.


Quote Originally Posted by bmck25 View Post
Hi Mike,

Just a few questions here. By total renovation do you mean draw the lake down and treat the lake with retonone? Is it possible to treat the lake every 3-4yrs with retonone at a level that is leathal to shad but leaves other game fish unharmed? And would stocking the lake with a larger predator fish like musky help control the shad population? I believe this is the approach the DNR took with Waveland and it appears to be working thus far. Although the shad do seem to be more and more abundant each year.

Also, do you believe the shad were reintroduced by some "do-gooder" or do you think they were leftovers from the previous renovation?

BK McKenney

May the holes in your net be smaller than the fish in it.