FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2019) — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources plans shad eradication efforts in the coming weeks at two lakes on the Boone Tract of the Kentucky River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Henry County.
“Unfortunately conditions were not conducive for a successful shad removal last winter, but we will give it another try this winter,” said David Baker, Central Fisheries District biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We will be working at the 6-acre lake beside KY 389 and the 4-acre lake adjacent to Benjy Kinman Lake.”
Eliminating shad forces largemouth bass to concentrate on smaller sunfish. This reduction allows the remaining sunfish to grow larger because they have less competition for food.
Shad eradication requires the application of small amounts of rotenone, an organic substance found in plants.
“Rotenone binds to the gills of shad, and blocks dissolved oxygen transfer,” Baker said. “It doesn’t affect the meat of fish in the lake. You will see shad floating on the surface of the water, but the other fish are safe to eat during the treatment.”
The floating shad will be scavenged or decompose naturally without adverse impact to the remaining fish or other animals.
Baker said winter is the best time for a shad eradication as the rotenone breaks down more slowly in cold water, making for a more effective treatment. Fewer people fish these lakes in winter as well.
The management area’s Benjy Kinman Lake, which regularly receives an influx of shad whenever the Kentucky River floods it, is not part of the effort. “It will remain a shad lake and managed for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish,” Baker said.
Baker said a hillside 15-acre management area lake located above the south side of KY 389 does not have shad in its waters and will not be treated.
“We have some good fish in these lakes now,” Baker said, “but we want to improve the quality of fishing in them with this treatment.”