The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is working with St. Martin Parish Government, the town of Henderson, and the US Army Corp of Engineers to conduct a drawdown on Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish. Drawdown gates are scheduled for opening by the St. Martin Parish government during the first week of August, 2016. Water levels will be lowered 2 to 4 inches per day to the desired level of 3 feet below normal pool stage. The drawdown gates are scheduled for closure on November 1, 2016 to allow the lake to refill for winter and early-spring recreational activities.
The drawdown is part of an integrated management plan to control nuisance aquatic plants, primarily hydrilla, water hyacinth, and giant salvinia. The drawdown will also improve sport fish habitat by drying and compacting bottom sediments, which allows for improved fish reproduction conditions.
The drawdown will expose shallow flats that are located throughout the lake to air and sunlight. These shallow areas are some of the most problematic locations for invasive aquatic plants.
Although the lake will not be closed to fishing, caution is advised of boaters during the low water period as boat lanes will not provide normal clearance for underwater obstructions, in particular cypress stumps throughout the lake.
This action is a necessary component of LDWF's integrated management plan to control overabundant aquatic vegetation growth and to improve the Henderson Lake sport fishery.
The current LDWF Lake Henderson Management Plan can be viewed at: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/waterbody-management-plans-inland
For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Brac Salyers, LDWF Biologist Manager, at bsalyers@wlf.la.gov or (337) 373-0032.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.
