Blind Pony Lake to reopen soon

SWEET SPRINGS (MDC) -- After being closed five years for renovation, Blind Pony Lake will reopen to the public at 4 a.m., Sunday, March 1.

When it reopens, the lake will be deeper because 450,000 cubic yards of sediment was removed as part of the renovation. In addition, a new fishing jetty was build at the north end of the lake and huge brush piles were added to improve fishing along the west shore.

Funds for the renovation of the 42-year-old lake, and the hatchery to which it provides water, were provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in order to improve the hatchery's capacity to produce fish for stocking all over Missouri -- especially the endangered pallid sturgeon.

The Missouri Department of Conservation stocked the lake in 2006 and 2007 with fathead minnows, channel and blue catfish, bluegill, red-ear sunfish and largemouth bass. The fish that were only a few inches long when they were stocked have now grown sufficiently to withstand fishing pressure.

There are some new regulations for the lake. The big change is that only Department of Conservation boats may be used on the lake. Private boats and float tubes are not allowed. Boats, oars and life jackets for use on the lake will be provided free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Only electric motors will be permitted on the lake.

Another big change is that bait transported or held in containers with water are prohibited. Examples of prohibited baits transported or held in containers with water are minnows, crawfish, leeches, etc.

The reason for these changes is to minimize the risk of an accidental introduction of zebra mussels into Blind Pony Lake and hatchery. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that clog water intakes and could cause major damage and expense for the operation of the hatchery.

In addition, because the hatchery produces fish that are stocked all over the Midwest, there is additional risk that it could spread the zebra mussels to other lakes and rivers.

There are also new creel and size limits for Blind Pony Lake. The lake will open with a 12- to 15-inch protected slot for black bass. Bass larger than 12 inches, but smaller than 15 inches, must be released unharmed immediately. Statewide length limits will apply to all other species.

The creel limits for channel, blue and flathead catfish in the aggregate is four, for black bass six, for crappie 30 and all other fish the statewide limit -- but not to exceed 20 in the aggregate.