Long shutdown of boat launch for ‘park enhancements’ looming
BY MIKE STEVENS
WINCHESTER— Anglers are reporting a fish kill at Lake Skinner that is primarily affecting larger striped bass, but biologists are confident there will be minimal long-term effects. Meanwhile, boaters are not looking forward to a significant shutdown to multiple facilities at the lake including the boat launch that will be start at the end of this year and remain in place for most of 2025.
But first things first.
“I witnessed a striper die off throughout the entire lake,” said Robert Estes of the fishing group, Team 57. “Every deceased fish was in excess of 10 pounds, and some were pushing 20. Floaters were too numerous to count. I communicated with a state survey biologist, and she attributed die off to lake stratification which led to a lack of oxygen for the larger stripers. She said the larger stripers were more susceptible to mortality because of their inability to find more oxygenated water, and the smaller fish were able to survive more readily. She said the small stripers would be able to find areas to survive and the population would rebound.”
It’s worth noting that Lake Skinner has endured a “perfect storm” of conditions that only could contribute to the water quality situation taking a temporary turn toward wonky. Late-summer heat waves had water temps up over 80 degrees (it’s still in the high 70s) and ash was added to the equation thanks to recent wildfires. As if that wasn’t enough, a bluestoning treatment was also in the mix. While the dock-talk chatter ramped up over the last couple weeks, those most familiar with the lake have been aware of the situation for over a month as big stripers were going belly up during the peak heat of August.
“Other species were not as affected,” Estes added. “We witnessed anglers still catching larger grade catfish and some impressive bluegill, and “largemouth fishing was steady for smaller-grade fish. In my opinion the bluestone treatment should have been postponed possibly avoiding this. Overall it was not a bad fishing experience, and I’m sure the lake will bounce back after the cooler temps of fall set in”
Estes said they used light-line finesse tactics to get into some pretty decent largemouth fishing, all things considered, and they tacked on a couple on the troll for good measure. He told WON most of their bass were caught off the sandstone shoreline drop-offs near Ramp 2.
In other news, the boat launch will be closed for renovations beginning this November and lasting at least until August of 2025. The full park will be closed from January through February 2025. Along with boat launch facilities, a fish cleaning station and other amenities are expected to be enhanced or replaced.
