What kind of fish are in the base lakes?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Quilla
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Keith Donaldson, a natural resources manager assigned to the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, and members from the Missouri Department of Conservation surveyed the fish population in the Ike Skelton, Bear, Nugent and North Lakes at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 5, 2018.

All the base lakes have a balanced population of bluegill and largemouth bass; Bear Lake also has channel catfish. Pond dye was added to Ike Skelton Lake and Nugent Lake to help control the algae and reduce the water temperature. According to Donaldson, the dye helps make more dissolved oxygen, which is crucial for the fish as summer temperatures continue to rise.

All the base lakes are open for fishing and no permit or license is required. However, catch-and-release fishing is recommended to ensure Team Whiteman’s natural resources are maintained.