Starve Hollow Lake
Bird watchers are getting a good look at bald eagles at a southern Indiana lake. The Indiana DNR is lowering Starve Hollow Lake about 4 feet each winter to put stress on the population of gizzard shad, a nuisance fish. The lower water level has provided easy hunting for the eagles.
In the past, the lake had to be drained to get rid of gizzard shad and other fish that can overrun a lake and create problems for sport fish such as bass. As many as 17 eagles have been seen at one time. That means as many as 25 of the birds are living in the area.
The eagles may stick around through February, although recent heavy rains are increasing the water levels at the lake. The higher water takes the stress off the shad and runs off the eagles, but a dry spell of three or four days will bring them back.
January 16, 2007 6:30 AM | Category: Invasive Species