Recent DNR survey results definitely back up Wisener's statements. In the spring of 2003, the lake was surveyed and bluegills dominated the catch (slightly more than 50 percent by number). Bluegills ranging in size from 1.6 to 9.8 inches were sampled, and two very large year-classes of fish were found (age 1 and age 2). Bluegill growth was also well above average when compared to bluegills in other central Indiana lakes, and the growth was identical to bluegill growth measured in the previous survey (completed in 2001).

"Bluegills were the most abundant, which is what we like to see," Wisener said. "Bluegills at age 3 here are averaging almost 7.5 inches. At age 4, they are averaging nearly 9 inches long. So with those two year-classes found in 2003 (if they maintain the same good growth rates), there may be a heck of a group of bluegills out there between 7 to 9 inches long this year!"

There are huge redear sunfish in Rockville, too. "The biggest one that we saw in the survey was 11.4 inches long," Wisener said. "This lake produces some really good quality fish. Redears made up about 11 percent of the fish caught in the survey, which is a pretty good percentage of redears. Many times, it's only about 5 percent of the total, even at some of our better lakes. Many of the fish we saw were 1- and 2-year-olds, but at Rockville some of the 2-year-old fish were already up to nearly 8 inches long!" How's that for excellent growth?

Although ice-fishing was not always allowed at Rockville Lake in the past, it is allowed now. For more information about the lake or to check on local ice conditions, call the park office at (765) 569-6541.

WHITEWATER LAKE
In southeast Indiana, 199-acre Whitewater Lake in Whitewater Memorial State Park will be a great place to fish this winter. Whitewater Lake is located in Union County on the north end of Brookville Reservoir, about two miles from the town of Liberty. Although the lake is small, it does have fairly deep water, with a maximum depth of about 46 feet.

Whitewater Lake was drained and renovated in 2001 because of a spillway reconstruction project and rough fish overpopulation problems (carp and gizzard shad). In November of 2001, the lake was re-stocked with approximately 150,000 bluegills (0.8 inch average), 99,600 redears (0.9 inch), 30,000 largemouth bass (4.3 inches) and 10,000 channel catfish (8.3 inches). In the spring of 2002, more than 15,000 additional channel catfish (3.6 inches) and 220 adult largemouth bass (11.5 inches) were stocked.

In fall of 2002, black crappies were also added to the lake. A total of 21,500 crappies (averaging 2 inches) were stocked to bolster the panfish populations. The DNR typically stocks crappies a little later than bass and bluegills to let them become established before the crappies arrive. When they are younger, bluegills (in particular) and crappies compete directly with each other.

Biologist Rhett Wisener also manages the fishery at Whitewater, and he expects great things at this lake. "In a newly renovated lake, fish will grow extremely fast," he said. "We surveyed Whitewater in the spring of 2004 and found bluegills up to nearly 9 inches long. The average size was about 6 inches. There was also a big group of fish that were 5 to 7 inches long, so this year most of those fish will be in the 7- to 9-inch size range. There is just a tremendous number of bluegills, and the growth is still really good out there."