Steve Gobel, a local angler, found one of his local fishing holes void of fish this spring. Steve, and with his father before him, had a long history with this unnamed pond near Dierkes Lake, and he wanted to do something to help restore the opportunity.
Steve called the Department and asked if we would work with him to get some Bluegill back in the pond. Steve, and his sister Deborah Bennett spend Monday morning fishing for spawning-sized bluegill, and the Regional Fishery Manager met him to take his catch and do the actual transplant. Steve knew it wasn't legal for him to do it on his own, and to his credit he called the Department asking for help.
"I knew there was probably a bunch of red tape involved, but I was real happy when you said you could help" said Steve. He caught 32 bluegill which turned about perfect for recommended reintroduction stocking densities for the 1/2 acre pond.
"To my knowledge, the pond is unnamed" said Doug Megargle, Regional Fishery Manager. "We chatted about that and we thought we could informally name it Gobel Pond". Steve said "my Dad would be tickled pink to hear that".
The Department appreciate's Mr. Gobel's efforts.