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:1 I ' • 4 i • ' I ~I " I .,., Jl ~. l;, . -· 4 MAY, 1972
By Roger Sparks There's so m uch refreshing Loc. about camping m the spring, the soul • 'Just n ght' sunshme, the chilly tim I m ghts, the bloom ing wildflowers the on even the smell'S of a spring rain of l storm. The winter-Is-over atmos 100 Roger Spar k s, Ed 1tor phere IS everywhere. It's little 2. Wayne Lan ni n g , Photographer wonder U\a t cam pmg areas some Blac Jerry Leo nard, Photographe r times resemble Cities on warm Cou weekends (A Iowa's state parks system in nea1 cludes many a reas with camping, Page CONTENTS natt either moder n (which means wat 3 law a Camping Guide '72 showers and flush tmlets are ana• available) or non-modern. Some and 8 Outboard Troubles? have electrical outlets and sani the 9 Iowa Lakes Charted tary disposal stations. mJ A max imum of two weeks near 10 Catfish Rearing cam pmg is allowed m an area. beac , Checkout time is 3·00 p. m daily. JOin 12 Ta Trap A Turkey Campmg sites are available on a pat~ 14 Campfire Cookery first come, first serve basis, no lake 'h reserva twns a r e acce pte d . A 3. Classroom Corner 15 cam pmg permit 1s required from ~l en t the park officer Ask him for a the park map high Many of Iowa's campmg areas Fred A Priewert, Director smal are located on, or near lakes. stric C o mmiSS IOners P lease note that a beach facility De W tll 1am E N o ble-Oelwem, Choarman means a bathhouse, dressing seen Ed Wetnhe1mer-Greenf1eld, V1ce Chm rooms, and showers budding with wmc J 1m D B1 xler-Councd Bluffs a supervised beach. Areas w ith blufl out a beach facility are unsuper Le s L 1c k l1de r -Cherokee mou vised. bone D r Ke1th A M cNurlen- Ames On state-owned, man- made J o hn G l1nk Burlmgton falo lakes over 100 acres, motors up to depo Iowa Conse rvationist six horsepower are perm itted. Whic Vol 31 May, 1972 No. 5 Lakes under 100 acres are limited for p Publ1shed monthly by the Iowa Conserva to electric trolllJlg motors up to blad tion CommiSSIOn, State Off1ce Build1ng, 1 ~2 horsepower. On all natural great 300 4th Street, Des Momes, Iowa 503 19 lakes motors of all sizes may be \Vco1 Address all moil {subscnptlons, change of used IS a , address, Form 3579, monuscnpts, mod A few parks have modern fam • 1temsl to the above addr~s ily cabins which rent for $10 00 4. Subscnpt10n pnce: two years at $2 00 per day, or can be res~rved for a 181 four years at $3 50 near • $50 00 per week . Second class postage po1d at Des Momes, The following brief descrip fort Iowa . {No R1ghts Reserved). tions of parks and camping areas tim may help campers meet indi\'id and ual camping needs and wishes. rnod~ Very Zone 1 wnh 1. Ambro~e A. Call State Park at ec is a small ~ec.uded areas w1th a Park shady non-modern camping area. ;) t Tht> lo\\-a Conservationist. a:s a contr1but1on not hea\'llV used. HistoricallY the to the prt•servntiDn of our natur .11 rc:;ource:; Ctlted and the prott•ctlon ol the ecology, 1s prmtcd park is th~ site of the first ~hite the Sl on I 00~ recl;umcd waste paper. settlement m Kossuth County. the s Photos by Jerry Leonard ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ( N. W.) (N.E.) ung Located one and one-half miles the southwest of Algona, the heavily lilly timbered park contains some of ers the finest specimens of a variety :un of trees native to Iowa, and a lOS· 100 year-old cabin. ttle 2. The number of campers at me Black Hawk State Park m Sac arm County is limited to 325 per day. (A city campground is located at m nearby Lakeview) . This 957 acre ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ( S. I . ) mg, natural lake Is popular with ( s. w.) •ans water- skiers, pleasure boaters, are and in the spring and fall, crappie )me and walleye fishermen. One of am- the several unsupervised swim ming areas on the lake IS located !eks near the modern campgrounds. A rea beach facility and boat ramp ad uly. JOin the camping area. A water ma patrol station IS located on the ZONE I AREA ======*==F==*==4==~~==~~F==F==~~===I no lake 1 A. A Call e ' - e A 3. Six-hundred acre Dolliver 2 Blackha wk---+-=.4--=-+--.::e:-+-:•::---4-.-=---l---+-+-=e4-•,....-J-....:!~--I 3. Dollrver • • • e rom Memorial State Park overlooks 4 Fort Def~i -an_c_e--~~+-.~~.~~~-+-~-~-+--~.~~~ 1r a the Des Moines River near Le 5 Gull Pornt ----+-=•:--r--t--;;•:--t--.:•~r•4---+-•~...._-:•4--•~.f--lf--l high m Webster County. The 6 Ledges ------1~•-1--+-~• • • • 7. Lewis and CIa rk - --j-.:• ~...,-+---=•=- f-t--=-:_-+~•::---11--::•-+-;e~--=-.-f--'e~--=-.-+---l reas small m odern camping area IS 8 Mrll Creek • • • • • • • kes. strictly limited to 44 units. 9. Prlot Knob ----+--:::-•+-=-+--f--::e:--+-=+..:_~~~+~-+-~+----1 ality Dolliver IS one of Iowa's most 10 Stone • • • sing scemc nature parks. F oot trails ZONE 2 AA~R[EA~:::::t~~~~~~b;;t~~;t~4;~~;t~~ 11 Backbone ___-1~ ·~~·~~·~~·~~·~~·~~·~~·~~·~--+~·~ •ith wind around 150 foot sandstone 12 Beeds Lake ___-f---.::! •~--+-=-+-.::::•~..::!•4~•~J-....:!•4-=•~-.::!!!•~--=-~--I ith· bluffs, past marked Indian 13. Bellevue ----~·L.J--+-=•~f--!!•4--1---~-4-~-~·~+--.:/~ per· mounds, along Prairie Creek, 14 . i Ciear Lake -:---:---f---.::!•~---+-=•~~•+..::•4---t--~•~~·4~•:.._1----1 Mel ntosh Woods_~•4-+-+--J-:!•4--I--+--I-.::!!!•~-+--I boneyard hollow (an Indian Buf 15 George Wyth:----+..::!•4-=--t--+---lf-4--+-:=--1----+~•-+-=--+---l 1ade falo Trap) and som e peculiar Iron 16 Maquoketa Caves--+...... ,....-f-..::!•4--:-+-+--1-+~•4--+-:::-~•~+-~ p 17 . Po Ii sades- KepI e r_-f-..::•:...... r--+-~•-+-~-+----J.--,.--J--4-•~J...... =•~--=•:...... j to deposits called the copperus beds 18 . Prkes Peak___ -+- .~1--+-•:;-~•~--+--~·~--f---+--4----1 (ted. which were used by the Indians 19 Prne Lake ___4 ..::!·~---=-+-=·~~·~~·4~•~-.::::·~~·4~•+~·~f..-..!!·~ ited for paint and dyes. Hangi ng ferns, 20 Unron Grove ----+--+--=•:--r-=•=--!-4--=·~--+-=•4--·~f----!!•4---:::-4-~ to 21 . Wapsrprnrcan __+-~ ·~-4---l--l---+--1--+--1~·~--1 r black ash, wildflowers and a ZON E 3 AREA ===I===F==F==l==f===F==l==t===t==t==t===l ural great variety of birds abound. 22 Green Valley • ..!.4-:•~~·+~·~...... ,·~~·:--t--•:---:1--1--1 be \Voodman Hollow State Preserve 23 Lake Anrta ___~ ·~-4....::•~-.:!!:·~...!·4~·~~·4-=•;..-Jf..-..!!•4-~---1 24 Lake Aquabr __4....:: •~-+-=•~~·~!----;•4-=•~-=•-+....::•:-+-.::::•~~·~f--l is a short drive from the park. 25 Lake Manawa -=--~·4-+-::•~--1-~•4--::--l--:::--~•~~·~--+-~ farn· 4. Fort Defiance State Park is 2 6 Lake of Three F rresl-=•:...... r--+--=•-+-'•~~·-!--=•~-.:•:::---11--=•~-•~1-----J.--=•-1 to.oo 27 Nine Eag les ___i-= •-+-=--+-•=---r---::•~~·+~•4~•~f..-..!!·4~•~~--+--l a 181 acre park in Emmet County 28. Pommel :::------l--~·~--+-+--l----4--::--+--::::-+-:--l~•---4---l for near Estherville. Named after a 2 9. P ra i rre Rose ----+-=-+-=•4--:--+--=---i---::•~--=-+-=•~-•:=--~~•4-~--:--1 fort which no longer exists, the 3 0 Springbrook ---i----.;:•-+--+--:•+~•:-+-.::::•~~·4~•:=--~~---..:;•~--=--+--+-=•--l 3 I V rkrng Lake ----+-=•~--:=4-....::•~--.::!!!·~~· -f--1---"'•-+-.:•~---.:::•:...... r---::--J----l rrip timbered area attracts picnickers 3 2 Wo Inut Woods --+--:-+--=•+-:•ri--=~-+--1--4--+--t--=•::.-1---1 reas and hikers. The shaded, non- , . 33. Wau bons ie ===::l:·~~::t:•~~· :::;l:::~:;:t:::t::::t:::~::j j\'id· moaern campmg area receives ZONE 4 AREA 4 34 Bob Whrte ----+-~~----=·~-=-+--:-~•=-f--=-+-:•~----=·-~--_,•~--+--1 very light pressure. A bridle trail 35. Geode------~·~---t--=•:--r-=•~~Jl-r~•~~·~---.:::•:...... r-~•~---+---4 with parking areas for loading 36. Honey Creek • • • • • at each end winds through the 37 Lacey-Keo • • • • • • • • • rark 38 Lake Darlrng • • • • • • • h a park. 39 Keomah • • • • • • • area. 5. Gull Point State Park is lo 40 MacBrrde • • • • • • • • • 41 Wapello • • • • • • • • the cated on beautiful West Okoboji, 42 Red Haw • • • • • • • rhlte the second largest natural lake in 43. Rock Creek • • • • • • • • 44. Wildcat Den ntY· the state (3939 acres). The m od- • )----. ---i-----• r -i 10,- :__ 4 .,
H ern cam ping area receives heavy Zone 2 Jow use in t his popular resort area in 11. Backbone State Park is the pia) northwest Iow a. W aterskiing, oldest p ark (since 1917) in Iowa sw im ming, sailing, pleasure boat Lak and certainly on e of th e finest. ing, and excellent fishin g attract Par The camper may choose between thiS visitors from several states. A a timbered non-modern camp w ater station IS located on the cam tures a level, shaded non-m odern ground and a m odern area. On Par lake. Other areas m Dickmson camping area that receives light weekends, fmdm g space IS a County worth seemg are the Gar It pressure. A 25 acre lake offers problem in t h is popular area - in cam den er-Sharp cabm, the sight of panfishing and swimmmg at t he 1971 Backbone ranked third m in t he Spirit Lake Masacre; the state IS It beautiful supervised beach. A dividual cam pers. A n ex cellent, and fish h atcher y located between golf course and landing strip ad elaborate foot trail system takes S pir it and East Okoboji lakes; unst JOin the park. the v isitor through 1600 acres of M and Cayler Prairie, a native nort heast Iowa hills and lim e prairie WIth over 250 species of 9 Another campmg area (mod less ern) that receives hght use is at stone bluffs, up and down rocky s1de native Iowa flowers and grasses. staircases, past caverns, the wind P illsbury Point, Pikes Point, and Pilot Knob State Park m Han woo cock County This timbered area blown pines (w h ich resemble the cam Mini-Waukon State Parks are cypress of California) and over day-use parks m the lakes area. is known for Its elaborate foot aval tratls system, and a stone tower the Devils Backbone, a rugged CJ 6. The Ledges State Park IS one atop the second highest point in ndge for w hich the park Is plea of the more heavily used areas in Iowa. Some umque plant life nam ed. lim1 t he state. Located six miles south grows there - the rare sundew Clear, cold, spring-fed streams F1sH of Boone, this central Iowa nature are stocked regularly with trout plant and sphagnum moss. A eye~ park IS best known for 1ts elabor bridle tra1l wmds through the and a beautiful trout hatchery in and ate scemc trails which lead up park. v ites park visitors to view the stat1 steep rocky hills to views such as rcarmg ponds. are sentinel rock which overlooks a 10. Stone Park on the Big Sioux A 125 acre man-made lake of R1ver in Sioux CIty is another 15 large expanse of timber along the fers supervised swimmmg, boat Blac Des Momes River. One trail has favonte hik mg area The 900 acre ing, and fishmg. A nme-hole golf park receives fairly hght pressure aion signs which Identify species of course borders the park. loo. wild flowers, trees, and plants. on the modern campmg area. The 12 The modern camping area trails and overlooks offer beauti area T he modern campground IS very at Beeds Lake m Franklm Coun ly I heavily used, particularly on ful scenery and unusual plant ty Is easily accessible. A nice hfe, hke wild, native cactus and alan weekends A boat ramp withm sw1mmmg beach, beach facility, very the 1,143 acre park provides Yucca. Some of the finest bndle concessiOn and boat rental are a A SJ access to the nver The Wildlife trails m the state wmd throuah:::> short v.ralk from the camping this park. mg Research and ExhIbit station area A trail leads to a foot bridge boat bordering the park houses w1ld below the umque, rock spillway. ri\'e1 turkey and other native Iowa The 130 acre lake was dramed 16. wildlife species, and is open to and reJuvinated in 1971 and was the pubhc recently restocked The campmg 7. L ewis a nd Clark S ta te P a rk. area was enlarged in 1970. Wh!( is located on an oxbow lake (Blue 13 A few years ago Bellevue ate Lake) formed by the meander State Park was enlarged by the attra ings of the Missoun River in additiOn of a separate, nearby 13 c unit Both umts are situated on Monona County The park IS op narn~ posite the origmal campsite of the the 500 foot bluffs overlooking With famous explorers for which the the Mississippi River and the flow1 area is named. town of Bellevue m Jackson form County. The Nelson Umt has a bnct! The large, modern camping couple of nice trails w 1th scenic area is heavily used and IS located hone overlooks and Indian mounds. large on the shore of Blue Lake near The modern campmg area IS in the beach facility, concessiOn, and : the new Dvas, Umt. Walleye. fish- boat rental and boat ramp. There hots mg Is good below nearby Lock ture are no motor restrictions on the No 12 and a golf course borders lake and waterskiing, pleasure the park. Crow sized pileated gree~ boating, and fishmg are popular. rnark woodpeckers, though rare in ligh Several nature trails wmd Iowa, are occasionally seen; and through giant cottonwoods and 17 in the winter bald eagles con area other hardwood species gregate m the area The park is PaJi s; just off the "Great R1ver Road." 8. l\1ill Creek S ta te P ark ncar Many of Iowa' s State camping areas catl'd which parallels the lVIISSISSlppi. Paullina m Obnen County- fea- borde r good f1shing lakes and streams. Ceda IOWA CONSERVATIONI S T 5
14. Clear Lake, in north central This is a large, rugged nature 19. Individual camping at Pine I Iowa is another popular summer park with scenic nature trails Lake S tate P ark ranked fifth in the playground. Two areas, Clear the state in 1971. The park actual >wa running along the bluffs and deep Lake, and Mcintosh Woods S tate ravines overlooking the Cedar ly contains two impoundments, est. P arks offer modern camping on Upper and Lower Pine Lakes, -een River. A marked nature trail this 3,643 acre natural lake. The identifies Indian m ounds and a and the modern camping area np camping area at Clear Lake State overlooks Upper Pine Lake. A On lookout tower affords an excell Park gets hard use - last season ent view of the surrounding nearby concession rents boats and a it ranked sixth in individual motors up to the six horsepower -m countryside. A boat ramp pro camping. The shaded campground vides access to the river (no limit. A beautiful wooded island m is located right on the lake shore m otor limits) which is damned marks Lower Pine Lake, where ent, and is a short distance from an electric trolling m otors are per 1kes at the lower end of the park. unsupervised beach. Fishing for northerns, catfish and mitted. A concession and beach ; of Mcintosh Woods receives much facility with a supervised swim me walleyes is fair, above and below less pressure. On the northwest the dam. ming beach are provided along cky side of the lake a gently sloping the north shore of Lower Pine. !Ild woods and meadow form the 18. Pikes P eak State Park near Both lakes offer some fine the camping area. A boat ramp is McGregor in Clayton County is crappie, bluegill, and bass fishing. ver available. noted for its magnificant, pano A 9-hole golf course lies near the ged Clear Lake is a great sailing, ramic view of the Mississippi camping area. The central Iowa IS pleasure boating (no horsepower River. Situated atop one of the park is located just north of El limits) , and water- skiing lake. highest bluffs in Iowa, Pikes dora. IDlS Fishing is good for crappies, wall Peak is a beautiful picnicking and 20. Campers seeking a little ·out eyes, northern pike, bullheads sightseeing park. The modern elbow room might try the small m and yellow bass. A water patrol camping area is level and shaded, non-modern area at Union G rove the station and state fish hatchery and receives moderate to heavy Sta te Park. The area overlooks a are located on the lake. use. 110 acre lake with a concession, of 15. George Wyth State Park in Although some easy - walking boat rental, unsupervised beach , oat Black Hawk County stretches out trails are being established in the and a boat ramp. The lake was golf along the Cedar River in Water area, pictured rock trail in the rejuvenated in 1970 so fishing loo. The level, timbered camping park is probably the toughest in should pick up next year. Union trea area is modern and receives fair the state. It winds down the Grove is about 10 miles northeast tUn ly light use. A foot trail runs rocky, multicolored sandstone of Marshall town. mce along the river, shaded by some bluff, under bridal veil falls, past 21. The non-modern camping lity. very large hardwood specimens. the sand caves and down to the area at Wapsipinicon State P ark ·e a A small cutoff pond offers fish river. The trip is almost straight gets fairly low use. The 248 acre Jing ing for panfish and bullheads. A down, (and of course, straight nature park near Anamosa offers tdge boat ramp provides access to the back up) but well worth the ef hiking along the lovely Wapsipin nver. fort. icon River, and splendid scenery. 16. Maquoketa Caves State Park In the vic in i t y are Effigy Wildflowers and moss adorn the in Jackson County has a shaded, Mounds National Monument, rock ledges and wildlife abounds. level, non-modern camping area trout fishing in numerous small The "Wapsi" is an excellent which normally receives moder streams and Yellow River Forest. smallmouth bass and catfish :\·ue ate pressure. The 192 acre park Iowa's " Little Switzerland" area stream. The oldest white pme the attracts visitors not only to the is famous for its outstanding scen planting in Iowa is within view trbY 13 caves for which the park is ery, especially during autumn. of the road. I on named, but to scenic foot trails ~tmg with their hanging ferns, wild the flowers, bluffs, balancing rock
and Ely's Ford, a nver crossing ity, concession, boat rental and used by the Mormans (the Mor ramp. The lake is only 82 acres ~ar man Trail is still visable here). so electric trolling motors are the 1 t, A State Forest Unit (Shimek limit. Foot trails surround the er· State Forest) adjoins the park. lake and a separate camping area ex· 38. Lake Darling Sta te Park has is designated for organized youth md a new beach facility, concession, groups. Lake Keomah is located tnd boat rental and ramp just a short east of Oskaloosa. drive from the heavily used 40. Of the two camping areas ·ge, modern camping area. A good at Lake Macbride State Park the the sailing lake, Darling is a 400 acre non-modern area is the prettiest. ?st· lake allowing motors up to six Its a beautiful, timbered site, np· horsepower. The 1400 acre park right on the 930 acre lake, and re red located near Washington includes ceives much less pressure than Jil a pretty hiking trail system. the busy, modern area. Macbride )ll 39. Lake Keomah State Park ranked second i n 1 n d 1v 1d u a 1 ere camping in 1971. de· has a small but very popular ors modern camping area, just a Macbride is limited to six short drive from the beach facil- horsepower and is a popular sail- 0ds 8
ing and fishmg lake. A supervised motors up to s1x horsepower. A proved. People apparently hke beach, concession and boat rental state f1sh hatchery raises bass the clearer water and better fish are near the modern campmg and panftsh at Lake Wapello. ing because last year Rock Creek area Boat ramps are available on 42. The modern campmg area entertaIned more individual Lake Macbnde, and on Coralville at Red Haw State P ark 1s located campers than any other state .;.-- Federal Reservmr which adJoins on a shaded ndge overlooking the park. The activity IS centered - the State area. Macbride is lo 72 acre lake. The park is beauti around the lake where sailing, cated north of Iowa City. ful m the sprmg - dense rolling boating (six horsepower motor 41. Because of 1ts near ness to timber g1ves way to clearings limit), swimmmg at the modern Rathbun Reservmr, Lake Wapello where picnickers view the lake beach fac1hty, and fishing for State Park will probably be even activity. The lake itself is limited bass, bullheads, and catfish are more popular this summer. This to electnc motors and ranks as the roam attractiOns. A boat ren 1,143 acre park IS located about one of the very best panfishing tal, ramp and concession are 20 miles southwest of Ottumwa lakes m the state. A beautiful available at the campmg area. in southern Iowa. The 287 acre beach facihty w1th supervised Rock Creek Is located a few miles lake is a pretty one; its timbered sw1mmmg IS located a short drive north of I-35 near Gnnnell. shoreline and many bays produce from the campmg area. Rowboats mce bass, bluegllls, crappies and may be rented at Red Haw, lo 44 The old grist m1ll at Wild catfish cated JUSt southeast of Chariton. cat Den State Park was built in 1850 by an early settler in Mus The modern campmg area over 43 The 640 acre lake at Rock catme County The mill is open looks the lake and 1s a short drive Creek Sta te P a rk was rejuvmated to \'ISitors on Sunday afternoon from the beach facility and con a few years ago, Jetties were cession Boats may be rented w1th added and the watershed Im- (Continued on Page 16)
If the motor IS sluggish at full throttle, poor spark plugs are more likely the answer. If inspec tion shows them to be fouled or burned, they should be replaced. Plugs can also be cleaned but for the small cost mvolved it's a better Idea to put m new ones. Poor h1gh speed performance - can also be caused by other fac tors which can usually be quick ly found b) a qualified marine dealer. Excessive vibration while the boat is underwa} IS often due to a bent or broken propeller. If the In this day of advanced tech If a warm engine won't start prop IS good, check to be sure -1&1 nology and the sophisticated chances are It's f 1o ode d. To weeds haven't caught on the modern outboard motor, many remedy this, disconnect the fuel lower umt. It's a good idea to boatmen are unfamiliar with the line at the motor, advance the have your prop checked period mechanics of their engine. But throttle and pull the starter rope ically for proper pitch. At the just a few tips may prevent a lost several times. Then reconnect the same time, ask your dealer if the weekend. line, squeeze the priming bulb propeller you are using is right For example, what do you do and give It another try. This for the boat and load you are If your engme won't start. First should do It. pulling check the fuel system. Make sure Check Spark Plugs These arc basic answers to a the tank Isn't empty and the fuel Rough Idling IS another com few common problems A little lines aren't kmked. Also check to mon but easily corrected prob knowledge of outboards can mean see that the lme 1s connected at lem. Turn the low speed carbure the difference between fun afloat both ends and that It is not being tor setting knob slowly until the and frustration. Your owner's pmched under a tank or at some engine smooths out. Defective manual is also a hand) guide to other spot The condition of the spark plugs and Improper fuel adjustments and it should be engme's filter can also be a fac mixtures can also cause rough handy at all times aboard your tor idlmg boat as part of a tool kit {;:{ I OWA CON S ERVATIONI S T 9
To L A KE: PA~K ke 10 M I L-ES • ~ ih ek lal low A U IGU WA'f_ No~~~:..._:.-==:;~===:::; 1te ed lg, or rn or re n ill1t re ?JJ'~ ~a. C, ENTER LAKE + ~ \l!u es 4' M AX . "7fr:" Uh.. '""7T': 1!0
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to ~GE N D------, .d STATE OWNED LAND I he I ~ SECTION COR NER I he • PUBLIC PARK ~ PU BLIC ACCESS ht 0 PUBLIC CAMPING I re BOAT LAUNCHING R AMP I I • BOAT LIVERY ,\lit I Ta I .-!tk-""' ROC K REEF I I•: SCATTERED ROCK AND GRAVEL l A QNOL0'3 PARK a I ~'IB M ERGE N T VEG E TATION - ~ M I \.. t:~ Ie I EMERGENT VEGETATION I an MK MUCK I so SAND I at I _!_II.!::.....!.E~M~ __ _ • rs NOTES 1 SOUNOI ... GS- RECO RDI NG tO I FA T HOME TER - In' E t ROSE I be I L ______j ur 1r 10
larg pre< and lake tion graJ and on!) hsh1 By Jerry M. C onley pres Fishe rres Superrntendent be l esta Bob Middendorf Sta1 Ftshenes Btologist wat mg lea~ Ask the average Iowan what IO\\\ fish he's most interested m catch are mg and chances are he'll answer on emphatically "CatfIsh!" This caJ scaleless member of the Iowa fish wat family not only IS a welcome own sight in the frymg pan and a 2,5 worthy challenger on the line, of t but grows to a trophy size in t throughout the state. For anglers prOl livmg close to a stretch of Iowa's ters 20,000 miles of streams, the ma jonty of which contam catfish, our. this interest can be easily con 1mp verted into fish on the stringer. the For those less fortunate in loca syst tion or discouraged by the angl of p ing knowledge required to be catt successful 1 n stream fishing, and Iowa's unique, first m the nation, prot cooperative cage rearing program vide may supply the catfish to satisfy catfi their interest. thes Most of Iowa's fishenes biolog this Ists have felt for some time that the biological requirements were present m many of our small Im poundments to provide better catfish fi s hin g than actually existed, without affectmg other spec1es such as bass, crappies and bluegills. Following an initial stocking, a new lake would nor mally provide good catf1shing for several years, but then gradually cease to exist as a catfish pro ducer With the demise of many of our better catftsh producmg streams (mamly through siltation and straightenmg) It becomes in creasmgly important that better catfishmg be provided in these small Impoundments Past catfish stockmg results m dicated that the best hope of pro viding better catf1shmg m these lakes hes w1th stocking catfish IOWA CONSERVATIONIST 11
large enough to escape the heavy of Iowa's cooperative catfish cage proximately 500 fish were placed predation by the bass, crappies, rearing program. Fish cages, in each cage. Care was taken to and bluegllls present in most which are simply floatmg wire anchor the cages in deep water lakes. Based on these observa covered enclosures that are used where good water circulation was tions, our catfish stocking pro to protect catfish from predation possible. Fish were fed 4% of gram was modified. Catfish fry while being reared to a large size, their body weight once daily with and small fmgerlings will be used have been used successfully on a 40~"r<' floating trout chow. Feed only on new waters where estab an experimental basis in the ing rates were recalculated every lished fish populations were not southern United States for sever two weeks based on and feeding present and 8-10 inch catfish will al years. During 1970, cages were schedules readjusted. be stocked in older waters with constructed by fisheries person 1971 Results established fish pop u 1 at ions. nel and placed in four different While some minor problems Starting in 1970, Iowa's warm state waters to test the feasibility were expenenced, the results of water hatcheries began produc of cage rearing under Iowa condi the rearing portion of this pro ing these larger sized fish for re tions. Armed with the mforma gram went beyond our rather lease mto state-owned waters. tion from this experience, 25 high expectations. Approximately tat Iowa's fish managers, however, county boards were approached 84,000 catfish were stocked state :h- are responstble for management and asked to participate in a co wide in cages In May that rer of both state-owned and, in most operative cage rearing program weighed m total some 2,850 .1s cases, county conservation board on these lakes m 1971 Individual pounds. In late September and .sh waters. These county board boards were selected based on the early October, over 80,000 catfish ne owned waters comprise some availability of manpower to feed were released that weighted some a 2,500 water acres. The importance the fish daily and where waters 30,000 pounds. This represented a Je, of these waters hes not so much existed that would provide good . 95"~ survival of the fish and a lZe in their total acreage as in their growing conditions for catfish weight increase of over 1000c,o in ~rs proximity to the population cen after release. just a few short months! Fish a's ters of the state. Under this program, the Con ranged in length from 9 to 16 ta As with our state-owned lakes, servation Commission provided inches and averaged 10 inches sh, our past catfish program on these the catfish and technical infor statewide, more than adequate to m· impoundments was not giving us mation required for the program escape all predation. Pounds of er. the desired results. Our hatchery and periodically sampled the fish fish stocked per acre ranged from :a- system, however, was not capable for determinng proper feeding 5 to 128. Food conversion rates, gi of producing the number of large rates. The county boards con the amount of fish fees required be catfish required for both state structed the cages, purchased the to provide a pound of fish, aver 1g, and county board waters. The necessary fish feed, and fed the aged around 2.0 with some areas Jn, problem was simply how to pro fish throughout the growing sea as good as 1.4. Cost per mdividual liD vide enough numbers of large son. Fish were stocked as 4-inch fish stocked, excludmg labor ·fy I • catfish to give good results in fingerlings in May and released in costs, was around 12c This was these county board areas. From the various waters in late Sep certainly considered a reasonable >g this dilemma came the beginning tember or early October. Ap- cost for stocking a fish that state- lat !re CAGE REARED CATFISH STOCKED IN 1971 Acres lbs. of Fish Fish m Woter Stocked Per Stocked er LAKE COUNTY Stocked Surface Acre Per Acre Meyers Lake Winneshiek 38 11.1 28 lly Winterfield Area Sioux 17 29.0 85 aer Dog Creek O'Brien 35 1;3 .2 54 Smith Lake Kossuth 53 18.8 70 nd Eldred-Sherwood Hancock 25 20.8 72 tal Badger Lake Webster 60 18.0 59 ,r Gravel Pit Black H awk 60 4.9 25 F ontana Mills Buchanan 60 19.3 60 for Stern Lake Crawford 15 12.2 76 uv• Swan Lake Carroll 130 15.2 63 ro· Spring Lake Greene 49 29 .5 61 D on William s Boone 160 18.9 45 nv• Hickory Grove Story 110 7.9 22 ng Hannon Lake Benton 45 33.4 86 on Central Park Jones 24 29.2 94 Manteno Lake Shelby 11 17.6 82 in· Easter Lake Polk 228 22.2 60 ter Manposa Jasper 19 128.1 218 Diamond Lake Poweshiek 130 28.5 50 ~se Kent Lake Johnson 30 32.9 87 Cody Lake Scott 6 68 0 191 Arrowhead Potta wa ttam ie 16 20.4 96 lJl• Cold Springs Cass 16 45 .5 142 ro County Lake Marion 7.5 44.1 82 Marr Park Washington 4 74 ~se 39.0 ish 12
wide averaged 10 inches and produce the numbers of the size weighed one - third to one-half fish that would be required. The pound (see hst of lakes stocked). ConservatiOn Commission, how- The cooperative catfish cage ever, has mtiated the preliminary program at this stage, however, phases of constructiOn on a 2.5 cannot be considered a success mrlhon dollar mstallahon below based solely on the results of the Rathbun Reserv01r that is de rearmg portiOn of the program. stsgned to provide the fish re Our obJeCtive in stockmg fish of qUJred for this type of program. th1s size is to increase their CompletiOn of th1s facility is not chance of reaching the anglers scheduled until 1975-76. During creel. Whether or not this end is the mternn penod, we will, in co achieved will be determined in opera lion w i t h on e or two 1972 and subsequent years from selected county boards, be testing the creel census programs that the possibility of this type pro will be conducted on representa gram by trapping 8-10 inch cat tive waters. But, there is every fish from mland nvers. By Bob Sheets reason to be optimistic based on Farm Pond Application the catchabllity of these fish after Wildlife Biologist they were released last fall. For This program does have direct example, even though water tem apphcat10n for the pond owner I peratures were quite cool when that w1shes to provide catfishing of in h1s farm pond or grow fish to If catfish were released, some areas por an eatable s1ze Catfish can be reported that over 25r; of the log total number of fish stocked were purchased from pnvate hatchery taken m the subsequent weeks sources and placed in home-made ber before freeze-up. The remaining cages Cage size is not critical as nat 75'{ will provide a good stock for large numbers of catfish can be \'ir evaluating results in future years. placed in small cages without pas Eating quality of the fish taken harm to the individual fish. For example, some of the cages in the Mi! was quite high. Many people ex quE pressed the opinon that they reanng program prior to stocking • contamed some 135 pounds of fish - Ch: were the fmest tasting catfish loa they had ever eaten. per cub1c yard Placement of the ...... ' - cage m the pond 1s quite impor , for Future Progr a m tant. Care should be taken to en Mu In The cooperative cage rearing sure l 1 '2 to two feet of space be tween the cage bottom and the fou program IS designed to be a con. Ind tmumg program of yearly rear pond bottom Also cages should Buj ing and release. In 1972, the pro be placed m areas that are sub pea gram w1ll mcrease to some 150 - Ject to good wmd action to in , cou 000 fish with the addition of other crease circulation throughout the gre areas to the program and in cage A floatmg food that con gal! creased stockings In certain tams all necessary fish d1etary waters. Stockings are presently needs must be fed as fish receive T being made at the rate of 100 httle or no natural food while in to 1 fish/surface acre. This rate may the cage. Before mtiation of this ear. increase or decrease in the future type of program in your pond, it and based on our creel findings. is recommended that you contact san one of the participating county out It is also apparent from the boards or a local Conservation lan1 1971 results that the possibility of Comm1ss10n representative for IO\\ a "put and take" catfishery sim more delalled mformation. In the run Ilar to Iowa's trout program future, pamphlets will be made \\'a! exists The main obstacle to this available that descnbes the cage type of program is rearing fish co~ rearmg process m more detail. Wer large enough for put and take stockmg while the waters are If you're a dyed-in-the-wool lllo gen1 still warm enough for good fish catfisherman or a nov1ce eager to \\'0{ mg To undertake a catchable learn the fun of catfishing, give , program, fish would have to be one of these county board areas \\'at fore 7-9 inches when placed in the a try Those cage reared catfish gro1 cages in May Our present hatch b1te, fight, and eat well. The rest 1ng ery facilities are not sufficient to 1s up to you. -{:( EA STERN ( North Ookoto ) JAN . 1969 J 3 TOMS I 0 W A C 0 N S E R V A T I 0 N I S T 1 7 HENS I LYO N """ !--oo _,. • ~ 1971 - 20 BIROS
~ RIO GRA NDE (Tu os) I \ NOV 1960 a MARCH 196 1 AERRIAM S ( Nebraska ) - ,.. ]uc }-eu. -~ •lw-1 ...,.1 ...... 'Ja-.1 ~..,_. 'r ~ 10 TOMS 29 HENS 'EB. 1966 ...... ~ \;:_.... ! TO MS ...., ~ ..._j._. '""'" - , I ,.,.. -- u•• ~~ 1971 - 75 BIROS ; HENS ...... ,~ 1..,... ow.u _, ...... , -· --....., ~,. ,./ 971 - 5 - 10 BIROS \ I I r l...f 'i"""''"""' "" ...,, --1--- .....,_ I -r l•••n,. \.
11 1"-1 _.... AOAM.t QfOOH Q.AIIU ~ MOkiiOf f!OI'WE7 r- ..., '"'""" ia-u --n ne \...... ~ 1 .,. .-EASTERN ( Mlssoun ) \::C::J.::J::::I~/~:O~=L~,-~. .:1_---~ OCT 1965 a MARCH 1966 '\J 3 TOMS 8 HENS 1971 - 250 -350 BIROS
EASTERN ( Mlssoun ) MERRIAMS ( Nebraska ) JAN . 1968 a MARCH 1968 JAN. 1966 8 TOMS 4 TOMS 12 HENS 7 HENS
1971 - 200- 300 BIROS 1971 - 20 BIROS trap a turkey
In 1907 the last official sighting tions. So the current challenge Date: 2-2-72 of a wild turkey in Iowa was re presents itself - re-establishing Time: 9:15 a.m. ported in Lee County. Extensive wild turkeys wherever suitable Weather conditions: 28 and logging had begun, massive tim habitat exists. snowing heavily. ber tracts were levelled and the Restocking efforts and relative Comments: Turkeys most like success to date are shown on the native wild turkey population ly in roost. map. As you can see, the eastern virtually disappeared! In years Situation: Routine arrival to strain of wild turkey originally maintain bait at trap site - 25 past, Indians that lived along the obtained from Missouri is the turkeys surrounding trap site! Mississippi River w o u 1 d fre bird on which future hopes are Observation blind containing ig quently arrive at Prairie du being placed. It has shown strong nition wires surrounded by 8-10 Chien, Wisconsin pulling sleds wild traits, good reproduction, turkeys. loaded with 20 to 30 wild turkeys and fast distribution - three Comments: They were sup for sale. Although merchants in traits that have allowed an early posed to be roostmg. Muscatme pa1d 50 cents per bird chance to begin our own trap and It was quickly learned not to in 1854, better pnces could be transplant program. second guess this wily creature! found further north and to many Shimek State Forest m Lee Not all has been discouragmg Indians, the trip was worth it. County and Stephens State For however. On January 11, a flock But with the disappearance of est in Lucas County now have of 15 turkeys approached a bait people able to recall these ac turkey populatwns capable of line, devoted seconds to viewing counts, so passed the pang of re providing transplant stock with a distant hut, then proceeded to gret that came from knowing the out endangering the resident lower the1r heads and eat. One gallant bird was gone. flocks. bird stood sentry for a short The logging era finally ground As a result, biologists con period but soon joined the rest. to a halt in the late thirties and fidently set out to help distribute A split second later all birds were early forties. The sawdust cleared this wild species. The trapping beneath a net waiting to be and there laid a state with thou system consists of 40 foot x 60 sacked for shipment to a new sands of timbered acres carved foot cannon nets, set at strategi home. The first catch of 15 has out to make way for new crop cally baited areas throughout the been transplanted to Lacey-Keo land. But much of the southern forests, armed with recoilless sauqua State Park. The park and Iowa terrain gave landowners a rockets to instantly jettison a adjacent state forest land con run for their money. Soil fertility net over a feeding flock. All that tains 2400 acres of pubhc timber was low, crops failed, bank ac is needed is a distant observer with hundreds of pnvately owned counts dwindled, and many farms equipped with a small battery forested acres extendmg up and were abandoned. While man and the knowledge of when to down the Des Momes River. moved away, nature began to re fire. "F o o 1 proof" plans were Another release site that has al generate second growth hard made in early winter and opera ready received 14 birds hes near wood forest over a number of tion "To Trap a Turkey" began. Unionville, Iowa. These f1rst two watersheds. Today much of this The followmg account of one areas and several other release forest land is reaching a state of day's experience reveals a quick sites have been chosen based on growth again capable of support lesson learned in turkey behav their state of timber growth, ing moderate wild turkey popula- wr. amount of timber, and extent of 14
birds should reproduce and raise maJestic bird able to provide several broods this first summer. many hours of enJoyment for the Whether this happens remains to naturalist and the hunter. Iowa be seen; much lies in the hands now has a re-established resource of nature But the birds must be that is domg Its level best to exist left alone! We can make more m a state mhabited by humans use of our eyes and cameras and and livestock m nearly every sec less use of recreatwnal vehicles tion of land \ in areas contammg recently re Southern Iowa pheasants, quail leased wld turkeys. and deer apparently are adapting Long range plans for the wild to man and his alteratwns and \\ turkey in Iowa include a spring will probably contmue to do so as '"\\' hunting season on excess gob- long as some habitat remains. 1blers only. If current rates of re The wild turkey IS making the productiOn and distribution con same noble attempt. The one big tmue, a restncted number of per element workmg agamst it is an mits could be issued allowing the approximate 2(, reduction m harvest of one turkey per hunter mature hardwood forest each per year Timing of the season year There is a large economic would be in tended to follow the demand causmg this reductwn, peak of matmg, a period during but landowners can help by human and livestock interfer which most hens have begun to thinking twice before cleanng ence. nest and yet gobblers will still the last remaining timber. The Wild turkey is a deep forest respond to a well-executed tur The wild turke:J 1s our largest dweller and although our estab key call In Iowa this period gen native North Amencan gamebird. lished flocks are trying to survive erally occurs the first two weeks He Is a magnificent creature disturbance from trail bike rid m May. The type of season likely whose presence adds much to the ing and snowmobiling, a newly to be proposed will be based on a outdoors The trap- transplant established flock must have soli drawmg system allowing a re program will no doubt contmue tude. They undergo an extreme stncted number of permits on for several years. But while this amount of stress the moment they areas selected by the Conserva IS going on, eyes will be focused are removed from their recog tiOn Commission. Legislative ap on the long range outlook for nized territory. Several months proval must come first. Then Iowa's timber resource If this are needed to gain familiarity specific plans can be made. rate of dechne contmues, the wild with surroundings. If all goes The Important point to be made turkey will reach Its second and well at present release sites, the now IS that the wild turkey is a fmal vamshmg pomt '{;:{
g1rls; does like pizza, Hawaii He will shiver through ram. F1ve-O, kite flymg, and as the snow and dark of mte, or roast saymg goes, "frogs, snails, and under the hot sun until his nose puppy dog tails" We'll call him looks like the deer in the Chnst "J on." mas song. If there IS a fish to be Jon 1s a fisherman. Not just an caught, he will beg to stay a little ordmary ftsherman, but a died longer or up a little later. Campfire Cookery in-the-wool, sit-quiet- and- wait, Jon Is a fisherman. His name By Dick R anney fisherman. His best friends this might be Tom, Mark, Chad, or time of year are fish worms. just plain son. He IS waiting for Portrait of a F isherman To bring a yell of delight just you to ask so chuck all the things The answer to, "How much do mentiOn "gomg fishing." He will that are "so important" aside and you weigh" will be, "In the vi check h1s old 822 Zebco, dig deep say to him, "lets go fishmg." cinity of 80 pounds." His age, into his Jeans to see If he has a When you get home and have "Eleven and one-half going on handful of spht shot and a few cleaned your strmg of "Junker's," twelve" He will have a mop of hooks, and be ready to go. He will dust them m a sack containng unruly ha1r and a smile as wide be standmg at the door waiting one cup of yellow corn meal, one as the MISSISSIPPI Rver. Although for you to make the next move. tablespoon of flour, salt and pep he is growing up in a time and You don't have to head for per. Drop them mto a large skil place not of his doing, he will try muskie water to please him. He let, filled w1th enough peanut oil to please and on occasion will re IS thnlled and tickled Just to go so they deep fat fry Serve them veal the metal from which he IS -let alone catch a fish. Jon is on golden brown w1th a salad, bread, cut first name basis with sunnies, butter, and a large glass of milk. He plays baseball, football, Mr Wiskers, pike, perch, bass, This· IS a meal fit for a kmg builds model cars; doesn't hke walleyes, carp, frogs, and snakes. after all he does f1t the bill. -{;:{ I OWA C O N S E RV AT IO N IST 15
TOPSOIL ide Do plants grow better in top the soil? Let us find out! You need SUB - SURFACE three flower pots and some cot 'Wa rce ton in a baby food jar. Fill one . .. . flower pot with topsoil, another {~ . . .. 0 • • • • SUBSOIL w ith subsoil, and another with ans 0 • .. • ;ec. . . 0 . . soil from an eroded area. Plant a few beans in each pot and put a ra!l few in the cotton. Keep them all watered and in a warm sun-shiny mg By Curt Powell md BARE SOIL spot. Is there a differen ce in Adminstrotor a; growth? Com pare them ! How im .ns Conservat ion Education Center portant is topsoil? What hap the pened to the beans planted in the bie cotton ? an Most of us h ave planted gard How much soil does a stream m ens, or flowers, or cropland, but or a rain storm carry away? After tch how many of us have asked a heavy rain take three bottles "What is soil and how important me abo• ut the size of a small olive on is it to me?" bottle. Fill one with water from by This month's "Classroom Cor a stream that runs through a n, ner" will deal w1th projects that plowed field; another from a you may do to learn more about wooded area, and another from a sO'il and its conservatiOn. We wish pasture. Let them· set overnight. rc to thank the Umted States De Is there a difference in the soil partment of Agnculture, Soil Ire collected in the bottom of the jar? he Conservation Service for their This is called "sediment." What m: help in preparmg this report. You conclusions do you have from might stop at your local SCS of this? ue SOIL WITH GROOVES fice and ask for the booklet h~ What would happen if r ain fell ,ed "Teaching Soil and Water Con directly on bare soil? Would 'or servation, A Classrom and Field grass change what happens? Guide" PA-341. GIS Build two small boxes about 12 ild Soil is pretty important to our inches long, 12 inches wide and nd lives. Without it we would haye four inches deep. Line them with {1 no food to eat or game to hunt or plastic to make them watertight. many other thmgs we take for At one end of each, cut a V notch granted. Did you know that most about one inch deep and fit it soil is formed from solid rock? with a tin spout. Put sod m one Changes in temperature, wind, and plain dirt m the other Pour lSI rain, waves, and other natural water from a sprinkling can over k phenomenon (happemngs) cause the dirt and the sod. What hap ;t· rock to break up mto fme par pens? !,e ticles. These small rocks combine Fill the boxes w1th the same le with decaying plant and animal kind of soil. This time, cover one particles (called humus) to form with straw and again pour the topsoil. These top few inches of 1e SOD water over both boxes. What hap or topsoil are the most important for pens this time? Refill both boxes or growing things. When the topsoil and using a stick, dig grooves gs is gone, everything else suffers. lengthways in one box and hori ld The layers underneath the top zontal in the other. Again, pour soil are called subsoils. A soil pro the water from the sprinklers. file would look like this: Compare the res u 1 t s. Which {e,, As you will not1ce, the soil method saves the most water and changes color and feels different, topsoil? the deeper you dig. Fmd a place After you've completed these such as a ditch or cut bank where experiments, do you know how you can see a sml profile Do you important topsoil Is? What can be .. see the differences m color? Does done to prevent the loss of top II· r--.---- topsoil "feel" different than sub soil? Does your library have any fll soil? Perhaps, with permission, information on sml conservation? o, you might dig a small trench to Are there other projects that you k study the soil might do? -{:( -~ CAMPING . .. hsted above, several areas in the souri River The area adJoins De (Continued from Page 8) Spint Lake- West OkobOJI Lakes soto Bend Natwnal Wildhfe Re vicimty (Dickmson County) in fuge north of Council Bluffs and throughout the week by northwest Iowa have been de Fairport, another state owned reservation with the park officer. signated for non-modern camp .u. recrea t10n a rea w I t h modern J~ Foot trails wmd around the 321 mg They are Marble Beach, >0 campmg IS located five miles east ~u acre park which gets its name Lower Gar Access, Isthmus Area, t- from the rock crevices which and Emerson Bay. of Muscatine on the Mississippi ... Rtver Electncal outlets and a + were once the home of wildcats. A state-owned multiple use t- The non-modern camping area IS area, Wilson Island, has a large boat ramp arc avatlable Il) CO 0'"' relatively new, shaded and is modern campground with elec Numerous other camps1tes are +u used only moderately. tricity, a samtary statlon, and a available at county, c1ty and pri .. t-19 I In addition to the state parks boat ramp for access to the Mis- vately-owned campthg areas. * Ill z I X..,. ., ,.J ' ' w >