Post by yihunt on Sept 8, 2009 12:11:24 GMT -4
Unlimited fishing allowed until North Park Lake drains
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
By Len Barcousky, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Anglers at North Park Lake can bring home as many fish as they can land for the next several weeks.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said daily creel limits have been suspended by the state Fish and Boat Commission as long-planned efforts to restore the lake began yesterday morning.
"Go fish," Mr. Onorato urged anglers yesterday. "Catch whatever you can catch." Anglers still need to have valid Pennsylvania fishing licenses before they can drop their lines into the county's largest standing body of water.
Draining the lake is the first step in a $13 million project to remove decades worth of silt from its bottom over the next 20 months.
Mr. Onorato made the announcement about relaxation of fishing rules at a ceremonial "valve turning" at North Park. Spectators cheered as water from the bottom of the lake began to flow into Pine Creek yesterday morning.
Emptying the 60-acre lake is expected to take four to six weeks. The "ecosystem restoration project" is a joint federal, state and county effort. It is designed to return the lake to its original depth, restore recreation options, improve fish habitats and reduce danger of downstream flooding.
The major partners in the undertaking are Allegheny County, which owns and maintains North Park, and the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers.
District engineer Col. Michael Crall called North Park Lake one of the crown jewels of the county park system. "We look forward to helping restore the lake to grandeur," he told the 50 people gathered for the launch of the project.
Many smaller fish living in the lake will be able to head downstream into Pine Creek through the water-release pipe being used to drain the lake. Larger fish that remain after anglers have had their chance to catch them will be transported to three lakes in Deer Lakes Park, according to water conservation officers.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
By Len Barcousky, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Anglers at North Park Lake can bring home as many fish as they can land for the next several weeks.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said daily creel limits have been suspended by the state Fish and Boat Commission as long-planned efforts to restore the lake began yesterday morning.
"Go fish," Mr. Onorato urged anglers yesterday. "Catch whatever you can catch." Anglers still need to have valid Pennsylvania fishing licenses before they can drop their lines into the county's largest standing body of water.
Draining the lake is the first step in a $13 million project to remove decades worth of silt from its bottom over the next 20 months.
Mr. Onorato made the announcement about relaxation of fishing rules at a ceremonial "valve turning" at North Park. Spectators cheered as water from the bottom of the lake began to flow into Pine Creek yesterday morning.
Emptying the 60-acre lake is expected to take four to six weeks. The "ecosystem restoration project" is a joint federal, state and county effort. It is designed to return the lake to its original depth, restore recreation options, improve fish habitats and reduce danger of downstream flooding.
The major partners in the undertaking are Allegheny County, which owns and maintains North Park, and the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers.
District engineer Col. Michael Crall called North Park Lake one of the crown jewels of the county park system. "We look forward to helping restore the lake to grandeur," he told the 50 people gathered for the launch of the project.
Many smaller fish living in the lake will be able to head downstream into Pine Creek through the water-release pipe being used to drain the lake. Larger fish that remain after anglers have had their chance to catch them will be transported to three lakes in Deer Lakes Park, according to water conservation officers.