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Lake closure meeting planned

DNR’s move to protect fish populations

A public meeting to discuss the temporary closure of Pigeon Lake in Clintonville has been scheduled.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in rooms 102 and 103 of the Clintonville Community Center, 30 S. Main St.

The state Department of Natural Resources plans to temporarily close fishing on the 170-acre lake to protect fish populations while the lake is drawn down for dam repairs.

The fishing closure will extend upstream to portions of the north and south branches of the Pigeon River.

The lake’s drawdown began Sept. 4 and is necessary to make repairs to the dam. The gradual drawdown is expected to take about 20 days and will lower the lake by approximately 10 feet.

DNR biologists expect a sizeable number of fish will be flushed downstream. However, some fish will stay in the remaining river channel or move upstream into the Pigeon River as well as its north and south branches. Largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, black crappie and yellow perch have been captured in recent surveys of the north and south branches. Habitat conditions in these rivers are suitable for the survival of those fish that move upstream.

“Fish that remain in the river channel or move upstream may get concentrated in pools or other areas that make them easily susceptible to angler harvest,” DNR fisheries biologist Jason Breeggemann said. “Protecting these fish from harvest will allow us to recolonize Pigeon Lake after it is refilled and speed up the recovery of the fishery.”

Closure areas
• The entire lake and Pigeon River, including bays and channels from the dam in Clintonville upstream to where the Pigeon River splits to form the north and branches.

• The North Branch of the Pigeon River from its confluence with the Pigeon River upstream to Knitt Road.

• The South Branch of the Pigeon River from its confluence with the Pigeon River upstream to U.S. Highway 45.

Fishing will be closed starting Friday, Sept. 21, after signs are posted and will remain closed until further notice.

Contact Breeggemann at 715-526-4227 or [email protected] for more information.

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