Iowa DNR will renovate Spring Lake in Cherokee on Oct. 26 to clear out flood-borne fish

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a chemical renovation of Spring Lake in Cherokee for Monday, Oct. 26. The DNR said Oct. 20 that undesirable and invasive fish species have overrun the lake since they got in during the 2024 floods.

Fisheries staff will apply rotenone, a naturally occurring plant compound, to remove the current fish population. Spring Lake will be closed to the public while the work is under way. The treatment is set to start in the morning and should take about three to four hours. If the weather or site conditions change, the DNR may postpone it.

After the water detoxifies, the DNR will restock the lake with a balanced mix of sport fish, including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. The agency says the goal is better water quality and clarity and a lasting fishery for local anglers.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Iowa DNR — DNR to eliminate invasive fish at Spring Lake in Cherokee County (Oct. 20, 2026).