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We are learning from our neighbors! Committee members recently met with a long time resident of Deep Lake to learn how they successfully raise funds annually to stock fish and manage excess weeds.
The Plan: We have contacted a local hatchery to gather information on obtaining a customized plan and cost estimate for stocking Cedar Lake. Stay tuned for updates!
We also are researching ways to reduce the number of carp in the lake.
We are currently looking for people who are interested in forming a team to increase the quality of fishing in Cedar Lake. This includes working with the DNR to possibly change the slot size for Large Mouth Bass on Cedar Lake and raising funds to stock the lake with fish. Please contact us at FOCLLAKECOUNTYIL@gmail.com if you are interested in our latest venture!
We have been learning some ways to improve the size and numbers of the fish we have in the lake. We believe that we probably have stunting of Bluegills and Largemouth Bass in our lake because we have many small and medium sized fish but not many large fish.
WHAT IS STUNTING?
Fish stunting is a condition where a fish population experiences severely impaired growth and fails to reach its normal adult size. It occurs when a lake's ecosystem becomes unbalanced, triggering intense competition for food and space that causes the fish to stop growing while remaining capable of reproduction.
The Core Causes
Stunting typically stems from a few interconnected ecological factors:
Overcrowding: A massive "year class" or unrestrained reproduction of prey fish (like panfish or bluegill) causes the population to exceed the lake's carrying capacity.
Lack of Predators: Insufficient numbers of apex predators (like largemouth bass) fail to eat and cull the smaller fish, leading to population explosions.
Resource Depletion: High densities mean available food—such as aquatic insects and zooplankton—is quickly depleted. This triggers a "trophic bottleneck" where food becomes severely limiting.
Excessive Vegetation: Thick aquatic weeds provide too much hiding space, allowing small fish to evade predators, survive at higher rates, and multiply.
Learn about Largemouth Bass Stunting and Bluegill Stunting and how to correct it..
Click here to read the article:
Here is an article from Keystone Hatcheries about Bluegill Stunting and recommendations how to solve this problem: Click here to read the article: Bluegill Stunting by Mike Robinson January 27, 2017
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