LINCOLN – Rat and Beaver Lakes in Cherry County will be temporarily closed to the public next month while a chemical renovation of the lakes takes place as part of an aquatic habitat project.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission set a tentative date of Sept. 3-4, depending on the weather, for the chemical renovation of the fishery at Rat and Beaver Lakes. The lakes will be temporarily closed to the public Sept. 3-7 for safety reasons and for control of the work area while fish are counted.
A temporary water-control structure was installed this spring to allow the lakes to be lowered. A contractor will install two fish barriers below the lowered lakes in September. Those barriers will prevent access of common carp upstream into the lakes.
The lakes will be safe to restock two or three weeks following chemical renovation, depending on water temperatures. Bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and largemouth bass will be stocked back into the lakes.
The renovation of Rat and Beaver Lakes is being made possible by the cooperation of the neighboring landowners and the Rat and Beaver Lake Club. The project will use Aquatic Habitat Stamp Program funds.
For more information, contact Zac Brashears at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery at 402-376-8080.