Went out to the Base Lake here at Offutt this evening. Wanted to mess
with the crappie and 'gills. Haven't been there since before I
retired from the Air Force in 2000. First thing that greets me is a
sign that says I have to buy a base lake fishing permit to fish there
now. Oh well, guess I'll have to wait to fish it.
Then I look at the next sign. "No private watercraft allowed" "No
wading or swimming" Hmm, this 130 acre lake used to be covered with
private boats.
Then I look at the water. That's different. Its crystal clear. This
is a lake that had monster carp in it a few years back. They can muck
up a lake something fierce. Did they rehab it?
Talked to a fisherman on the bank. He gave me the answer. Zebra
mussels. Lake is invested and its only a couple of hundred yards from
the Missouri River. This is the only water in Nebraska with the
infestation.
Right now, they're trying to figure out what to do. They may have to
drain it and let the bottom freeze. Potash is another solution. What
it will do is kill a lake that has state record size smallies and
walleye. The lake is dead, it just doesn't know it yet.
Frank Reid