Du Quoin Lake Association Focus Is on Restocking

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The annual meeting of the Du Quoin Lake Association was held at the home of Steve Anderson on June 18. A potluck supper was enjoyed prior to the 6 p.m. business meeting.

New members were accepted. The membership is open and annual dues are $10.. Members must live on the lake or own property near the lake in order to join.

The association is very active in fish re-stocking. Ernie Dickey reported that 5,000 red ear fish and 500 channel catfish were added to the lake in November 2010.

A cove that is on the west side of the lake was set aside to create a bass hatchery. Plastic 55 gallon barrels are cut in half and modified to create a spawn bed for bass No fishing is allowed in the cove from April 15 through June 30.

The association is spending $2,000 a year on restocking and the City of Du Quoin forwards bass tournament fees to the association to assist in those initiatives.

The association also marks areas that are dangerous to boaters, such as underwater pipes, submerged tree stumps and old duck blinds.

New hazards are discovered every year. Should anyone encounter a hazard, call (618) 201--7785. Give the details and a sign will be installed.

A debate was held regarding bass tournaments. Recommendations will be forwarded to the City of Du Quoin for review.

Donated items were auctioned at the end of the meeting with all proceeds used for fish re-stocking and habitat restoration, according to Tony M. Rapp, vice-president of the association.