City Lake Bass Fees Tabled

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin City Council Monday tabled discussion of raising the fee for bass tournaments at Du Quoin City Lake from the present $25 per tournament to $100 per tournament.

The Du Quoin Lake Association asked for the increase, which is paid to the city, then given back to the association to fund its fish restocking program.

William Sizemore spoke on behalf of the Du Quoin Bass Angler Club and told the council that all tournament fishing on the lake will dry up if a $100 per tournament fee is invoked. The fee at places like Crab Orchard is only $35 all year on three fishing areas. Commissioner Rex Duncan said he appreciates the relationship the city has with association and certainly appreciates their stewardship of the lake, but felt $100 is too high.

Some suggested a $50 fee. Sizemore said his club's catch and release program is so well-documented he feels certain that bass clubs do not contribute to fish death or stress in the lake and shouldn't be penalized.

He said there are 25 members in his club ages 8 to 80. Many fish the early tournaments, but the numbers dwindle in the heat.

The association has been restocking the lake with red ear (pan fish) and catfish in recent years--not bass.

The association put $2,000 into the restocking program at the popular lake last year.

In other business:

The council approved to proceed with the condemnation of the property located at 218 N. Walnut Street

Approved the engineering agreement with JT Blankinship for the construction of the road extension at the Industrial Park

Approved acquisition and demolition of the property located at 510 East Cole Street-Quitclaim Deed. The Max Voyles property--one the Gemmill Dairy--was heavily damaged in a fire.

Approved a resolution to support Du Quoin display at fair (See Today's Downtown Page for Details).