Month: February 2020

West Lake – Bare Bottom

Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by Troy Jackson

Close up view of the majority of Lake of the Hills lake bottom, cracked and bare beyond the proximity of the shoreline

When it comes to fishing I am an admitted bank beater.

I suppose a lot of us are.

At times, however, I wonder just how many bass are behind me as I cast bankwards from a boat. Fortunately, I find plenty of takers among the visible cover within yards of the shoreline or slightly farther from the bank on spots like extended points or expansive flats. Therefore, I don’t really dwell on what I’m missing offshore on the modest size lakes that I fish. Besides, I frequently run without any form of depthfinder so I have become accustomed to what I don’t know don’t bother me.

Today’s pics and video feature the vast amount of the lakebed that is quite bare beyond a rather silted in creek channel.

Now, every lake is different but from what I have discovered on West Lake Park’s Lake of the Hills I wouldn’t be missing much beyond the shoreline. Nearly all of the structure lies within a couple casts of the shore and probably not more than 8-10’ deep. Right up my alley as a shallow sort of guy. It will certainly be interesting to see how this aspect of lake structure changes during the restoration project.

Still plenty more to come featuring structural hotspots, historical remnants and a collection of what Lake of the Hills has collected over the years. Talk to you later. Troy

West Lake – Far and Near

Posted on February 4, 2020February 6, 2020 by Troy Jackson

During the implementation of the 2019 drawdowns, I made visits to West Lake Park on August 4 and September 29. Once the process had completed, I made a visit on November 29 to have another look at the largest lake on the site, Lake of the Hills. Each of the visits found me confined to the bank in my running shoes, not the proper gear needed for more in depth wandering.

The completely exposed lakebed, however, sure begged for a closer look. Come December, my curiosity got the best of me so I packed up my boots and headed back. A December 7 hike covered a great deal of the lake and a return trip on December 29 allowed me to explore the rest.

Today’s post features a collection of pictures and video showcasing several sections of the scenery from both afar and down and dirty.

First up, is a look at the northeast arm of Lake of the Hills.

Moving southward we encounter one of several roadbeds that cross stretches of the lake bottom.

Plenty more to come as we take a look at more areas of the lakebed as well as some of what that lakebed has accumulated through the years. Folks, I’ve only scratched the surface…or would that be scratched the bottom? Anyway, stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

West Lake Restoration Status

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 by Troy Jackson

I intended to get this project posted last month but time got away from me. Instead, you get a post-Groundhog Day rundown of the West Lake Restoration Project.

If you haven’t been introduced, this is a Scott County, Iowa public recreation area that is undergoing a complete rehabilitation of the onsite fisheries. I have taken a look at the progress from the outset during the summer of 2019 until just shy of the arrival of 2020. One aspect of the project involves draining the lakes at the site to improve fish habitat in advance of restocking the fish population. The target for the area to once again allow fishing is the summer of 2021 as the lakes refill.

In the in interim, I aim to keep tabs on the project and post periodic updates here on the blog. To get up to speed, a series of upcoming posts will cover my recent visits during December 2019.

Below is a look at the components of the lake draining process.

Here’s a preview of some of what is headed your way this month with a focus on the largest of the lakes onsite, Lake of the Hills. More posts to hit the blog as time permits.

Hope you’ll tune in for an interesting, entertaining and sometimes strange look at what once lay hidden beneath the surface. Talk to you later. Troy

Sleds, Shishkabobs & Snowballs

Posted on February 1, 2020February 1, 2020 by Troy Jackson

The aim to remain on friendly terms with winter continues as we head towards a Groundhog Day/Super Bowl Sunday combo. Yep, still plenty of winter to go but I must admit that it is slip sliding away in timely manner. Groundhog Day around here is supposed to see temps in the mid-40s which may put a damper on one of our winter missions but no complaints here. After all, we may still get our shot at that mystery activity. You just never know what Mother Nature may have in store for the shortest month of the year.

In the meantime, me and my boy, Zac, finished out January with another visit to the sledding hill with a bit of a new wrinkle with the GoPro. Another project was foiled by the consistency of the snow but we made the best of getting outside with a little target practice.

Videos below and more posts to come…

A little more sledding….