Jake Peterson and his son, Ozzie, watch Ryan Rupiper, Brian Holt, Larry Haren and an employee of Beemers Fisheries unload walleye into Briggs Woods Lake last week.

Briggs Woods Park has been getting plenty of attention in statewide news lately thanks to the local efforts that have helped make the park a source of beauty and enjoyment.

In addition to the daily care, ongoing efforts by volunteers help keep the Briggs Woods Lake full of fish to entice fishermen.

To that end, last week another 600 walleye were delivered to the lake. This was thanks to the efforts of a restocking committee and monetary donations to build on this work.

Fishing in Briggs Woods Lake includes more than walleye. Bluegill, large-mouth bass, perch, sunfish, crappie and channel fish can also be found in the lake.

But walleye are a favorite for fishermen; some favor their flavor. Others simply enjoy the ease of the catch.

The local efforts and private donations became necessary when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources decided it would not stock man-made lakes of fewer than 100 acres.

Briggs Woods Lake is 55 acres.

Retired Hamilton County Conservation Executive Director Brian Holt provided some interesting historical context for stocking Briggs Woods Lake.

“The lake at Briggs Woods was built in 1968 from a former farm pasture,” according to retired Hamilton County Conservation Executive Director Brian Holt. “Once filled with water, the state began stocking it with bass, bluegill and catfish. They also brought in 50,000 walleye ‘sackfry,’ just-hatched fish about a half inch long for a number of years. A 3% survival rate of such young fish was considered very successful, but for many years it was less than that.”

He added, “At some point, about 15 years ago, the DNR decided it would not stock man-made lakes of less than 100 acres, so we lost that source of new fish each year.”

From that time forward, private donations have ensured the lake retains its reputation as a good place for fishing. The Sampson family, of Webster City, donated funds annually for a number of years.

Restocking occurs in the fall each year.

Walleye don’t reproduce very well in man-made lakes with sandy bottoms like Briggs Woods Lake, according to Brian Lammers, Hamilton County Conservation executive director. The fish prefer a rocky bottom, which is more typical of glacial lakes, such as the Iowa Great Lakes, Blackhawk and Clear lakes.

Improved habitat may give walleye a better chance of survival in Briggs Woods, he said.

“Just cutting down cedar trees and putting them in the water provides shelter and habitat for walleye and other fish,” Lammers said.

The restocking committee includes Ryan Rupiper, Larry Haren, Brian Holt and Jake Peterson.

Contributions to help keep Briggs Woods Lake are welcomed. Mail your check to Enhance Hamilton County Foundation, 501 Bank Street No. 1, Webster City IA 50595 and write “walleye restocking” in the memo line. All gifts are tax-deductible.