Workers stock Douglas State Fishing Lake in this file photo from last fall. Though work is complete on the lake, it won't be open to fishing until late 2008 or 2009.

Repairs are complete on the dam at Douglas State Fishing Lake, but don’t plan to wet a line anytime soon.

The tentative date for reopening the popular fishing spot north of Baldwin City is Jan. 1, 2009.

“We may be able to open late in the summer of ’08,” said Richard Sanders, Wildlife and Parks district biologist, “but we usually need two growing seasons to get the fish to a reasonable size.”

Wildlife and Parks officials closed the lake in February of 2006 in order to repair the dam, which had become unstable in spots. Construction work also included replacement of the outlet valve and pipe and an extension of the concrete outflow chute.

Workers wrapped up the project last June, and stocking began in August with the insertion of 8,000 fathead minnows. Then in September and October, bluegill, redear, catfish and largemouth bass were added. The latest stocking occurred on March 28, when 4,500 channel catfish measuring four to six inches were dumped into the lake.

Currently the lake’s pool stretches over an estimated 25 acres. Officials won’t consider it full until it reaches 180 acres.

“If we receive a lot of rain, it could fill sooner,” Sanders said. “But fish development usually takes two years.”

While the lake was drawn down, several enhancements were added with an eye toward improving fish habitat. Notably, 270 brushpiles were installed. Also, 20 earthen mounds were built. Those mounds currently jut out of the water, but they will be submerged when the pool reaches its normal level. Casual observers will notice a new feed bin sticking out, too.

Other improvements are under study.

“We’re considering expanding parking on the west side,” Sanders said, “because we expect the lake to be very popular. People will be flooding to it. That’s the usual case when one reopens.”

A similar refurbishing at Leavenworth SFL near Tonganoxie forced closure from 1994 through 1997. The Leavenworth SFL project cost about $700,000, and the Douglas SFL price tag was similar, Sanders said.

Even though Douglas SFL will be closed to fishing this year and next, area anglers still have options.

Clinton Reservoir, one of the best fisheries in the state for crappie and channel catfish, remains the county’s most heavily utilized fishing facility.

“We don’t have the abundance of crappie we once had there, but we have quality,” Sanders said. “In other words, there aren’t as many crappie, but they’re bigger.”

Wildlife and Parks is also committed to luring walleye and sauger fishermen to Clinton. Just the other day, the state agency stocked 2.5 million walleye fry and 700,000 sauger fry.

“This is the fourth year we’ve stocked sauger,” Sanders said, “and we still have a 15-inch minimum, just like walleye. Right now, sauger outnumber walleye 2 to 1, so sauger may be the way to go.”

Another nearby fishing hole is county-owned Lone Star Lake. With Douglas SFL closed, Wildlife and Parks contracted with the county to allow access.

“Anyone with a (state) license can go and not have to pay additional fees,” Sanders said. “I would imagine a lot of people are going to Lone Star.”