The DNR will lower Potato Creek State Park's Worster Lake in late summer to improve fishing.

During the procedure, the 327-acre lake will be lowered by about three feet during a three-to-four week period and will be treated to cut back the gizzard shad population. The lake will be drawn down slowly enough to prevent downstream flooding along Potato Creek. Boat rental at the lake ends on Labor Day; however, boat ramps will remain open as long as water levels allow.

The DNR will have an informational open house to discuss the procedure and the related fish management project Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the park's nature center.

"The drawdown will allow us to apply liquid rotenone to the lake to control gizzard shad populations and to help restore the lake's sport fish populations," said Bob Robertson, DNR fisheries biologist. "Gizzard shad have accounted for nearly a third of all fish collected in four lake surveys conducted since 1990," Robertson said. "The increase in shad has been accompanied by a decrease in largemouth bass and bluegill abundance."

Rotenone, an EPA-approved chemical for fishery use, is selective to gizzard shad when applied in low concentrations, Robertson said. Shad are very sensitive to rotenone, but a low concentration of the chemical has little or no effect on other fish or wildlife species.