By: Diana Johnsen
djohnsen@kcautv.com
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has killed all the fish in Black Hawk Lake near Lake View to help make the lake healthier.
On Thursday of last week, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources released a toxin in the water that killed all the fish including species like carp, big mouth buffalo, and the gizzard shad.
Those fish have been detrimental to the lake because they stir up the bottom sediments, releasing phosphorous which contributes to algae growth.
On Wednesday, the Iowa DNR finished collecting the dead fish.
"The fishermen are looking forward to great fishing in the next couple years. They know it's a short term sacrifice for a long term gain," said Ben Wallace, Fisheries Management Biologist with the Iowa DNR.
Over 250,000 pounds of fish were removed from the lake, most of which will be used as fertilizer in a near by farm.
The Iowa DNR will restock the lake with fish like yellow perch, blue gill, and walleye in the spring.
Wallace said people should be able to catch quality fish in a couple of years.
