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Next spring East Chicago will be using a net pen for a study with King stocking. This project is in the beginning stages and will be followed thru with the Lake County Fish and Game working with IDNR.

Congrats East Chicago!

Great news.  I remember Mr. Warren speaking on Michigan's success rate using these pens have at the meeting this past spring.  

That's great news Ed!

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing this information. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens! Thanks again!

Is it an implanting study or is it an exercise in keeping the fish from predators until they reach a size/age that allows them to better cope and compete for their survival?

Hey Don how are you doing? East Chicago and the Lake County fish and game have entered into a study using a net pen. Wisconsin has information for their side that says net pens and direct stocking came out about the same. However, on the Michigan side of the lake their net pens out performed the direct stocking.

So at EC half will be direct stocked and the other half will be net penned. Each group will have it's own way of marking (identifying) them.
When they return the science will show which group did better. There will be some training for feeding etc.

I have simplified this process for this discussion but I'm sure when all the i's get dotted and the t's get crossed Ben will lay it out much better then I can.

I just noticed in my question that spell check used the word “implant “. I had tried to use the word “imprint”. I hope that did not change what I was wanting to know with your reply Ed?

Same answer Don. Sometime when your up and hit a day you can't get out, you should make it a point to visit Mixsawbah. It is approx. a 45 min. drive from Chesterton. It is open to the public.  I want to make a visit out to Bodine after they have some time to settle down from Steelhead take.

Years ago we (Northwest Indiana Steelheaders) did net pens. The pens were in Gary we had a shed with food and volunteers to feed the fish through the winter. Mike Ryan should be able to provide additional info, if needed


Bruce

Alot of teamwork has been put forth and we are down to the final steps before it becomes reality for King Net Pens at East Chicago Marina in happening spring of 2024.We are very blessed to have the INDNR agency and Lake County Fish & Game working together for this project. Also, on a side note the shore anglers have had some pretty decent action from the public access areas at EC this fall for Kings. This is the first time in many years we have seen this. Night stocking may have a lot to do with this. We invite everyone to join the local clubs that are working to make our fishing and hunting experiences better for all.