Video Posted; DNR uses Helicopters to Apply Rotenone to Get Rid of Carp and Reclaim Lake Tomah 10-20-09

Hello — Follow this link to a new video http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/laketomah.html that tells the Lake Tomah story and shines a light on the damage caused by invasive species.

Even if Tomah isn’t normally in your coverage area, it’s one “Extreme Makeover” worth watching.

The DNR uses this lake management tool once or twice a year on shallow lakes, says Paul Cunningham, our rotenone application leader. The aim is to try to flip these lakes back from systems dominated by blue-green algae to lakes dominated by rooted aquatic plants that provide fish habitat, take up nutrients and help keep the water clear, and produce substances that keep the algae in check. (and that’s just for starters). “It gives us a chance to basically start over,” he says. The fish species planned for stocking next year will surpress populations of any carp that make their way back into the lake.

Last year, Lake Delton (or what was left of it after the flooding) and Eagle Lake in Racine County http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=992 received rotenone applications, the former using a helicopter, as shown here, and the latter using boats.

Lisa Gaumnitz
Public Affairs Manager
DNR Water Division