Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is discontinuing the stocking portion of its farm pond program at the Fairport Fish Hatchery this fall to invest in other programs that improve fishing opportunities statewide.
“Discontinuing fish production for the farm pond program was a difficult decision because of its popularity and success over a long period of time,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa DNR. “However, we believe focusing efforts elsewhere may lead to increased fishing opportunities statewide.”
Pond owners who received bluegills last fall will receive channel catfish and largemouth bass in June 2015. Once that delivery is completed, farm pond stocking will be handled exclusively by private fish farmers. Pond owners who paid to receive fish in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016 will be contacted and receive a full refund.
“Farm ponds are valuable resources for outdoor recreation and we want to stay involved in the proper management of them. Even though we will no longer be supplying fish for farm ponds, fisheries biologists will still play a prominent role in their management by answering questions for pond owners. I encourage anyone who has a question about their pond to call their local DNR fisheries biologist or read about pond management on our website,” said Larscheid.
More information on many aspects related to Iowa farm ponds can be found online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/farmponds.
