Lake Midway - Part 2 | Larry's Short Stories

Lake about ½ filled, with lots of rock piles showing — The water is starting to come up, but there is not enough to start stocking the minnows. (View from the East)

After a lake is built, the owner can simply look at and enjoy it, but that is not the reason it was built in the first place. Building a large lake should take a long time, as one needs time to think about and build the infrastructure and operating instructions that are necessary for a successful lake (See Lake Midway - Part 1, Larry’s Short Story No. 295). The terraces above the waterline are in place, so no stormwater flows directly into the lake. Instead, the water feeds into the minnow ponds above it. A larger lake might take a year or more to fill, depending on the amount and type of drainage acres feeding into it.

Aerators on a snow-covered day in February — It was a cold day in February 2025, as the Aerators were finished. They still need local power and the lines to be covered.

Depending on the utilization of the lake, there will be some real questions: What type of fish will you choose? Will there be fishing tournaments to remove fish — for kids, adults or both? If so, how many tournaments will there be, and when? Who will decide what length of fish to keep and what to throw back? Will there be regular fishing spots where people fish? Where will people gather before and after fishing? Will the fish be cleaned and packaged, and if so, by whom and where? What about food? Finally, how will everyone move around and get from the parking area to the fishing spots and back? As you can see, there are a lot of questions that must be answered. After the lake is completed, it takes time to fill. That time is used well for planning.

Harrison Fish Hatchery fish truck – 18 April — There is a fish hatchery nearby; this can be where the stocking minnows come from.

Most pond water can benefit from increased oxygen and from keeping the layers of water closer to the same temperature. Aerators add oxygen to the water and help prevent the lake water from “turning over” in the summer. Aerators are easiest to install immediately after the lake is completed and before it starts filling with water.

2nd Fish stocking – April 19th – Kirk stocking some of the channel catfish — Kirk Harrison, stocking the first channel catfish into the lake. These are considered predator fish but are stocked with the bait minnows.

Stocking “bait fish” and “predator fish” should be handled by a third party and that is relatively easy; you make an agreement based on your goals and write a check. The lake should be at least one-third full before stocking begins. There were several stockings of “bait minnows” in total. Ideally, the “bait fish” minnows grow all summer, and then the “predator fish” minnows are stocked in the fall.

2nd Stocking – April 19th, Kirby holding a PVC pipe letting fish into the lake — Kirby Asher releasing some of the minnows into Lake Midway. Kirk’s trusty yellow lab watching the action.

While the lake is filling, the real work begins.

Last picture of lake with about ½ of water — You can see that the lake is over ½ full. This is the ideal time to begin stocking the minnows. (View from the East)