Lake Okhissa is tentatively scheduled to reopen March 15 as planned, but Homochitto District Ranger Shaun Williamson said he may wait until the last minute to decide.
The lake was lowered last year to kill back invasive vegetation, allow for extending the south ramp, as well as restocking — all of which has been done.
But a dry spell last summer raised concerns that the lake might not have enough water by March 15.
“We’ve had a ton of rain, which has been great for the lake,” Williamson said.
However, the lake is still several feet below normal pool level, raising safety concerns for boaters.
“My main thing is safety,” Williamson said.
A fisheries biologist will check the lake out in early March, and Williamson wants to talk with law enforcement officers as well.
But he said it may be just days before March 15 before he makes a decision.
Meanwhile, fishermen are getting antsy.
“I’ve been handling calls left and right,” Williamson said.
When the lake does reopen, fishermen will have plenty to look forward to.
Last year Okhissa was stocked with 5,000 gizzard shad, 235,000 bluegill, 50,000 redear and 200,000 catfish.
The bass population was already good, and crappie spawns generally follow a drawdown.
Fishermen also won’t have to contend with giant salvinia, an invasive plant which got so bad that officials stretched a boom between the lake and the cove to the south ramp to keep it from spreading.
Last winter’s cold coupled with the lower level appeared to have wiped it out.
The 1,100-acre lake is located off Highway 98 south of Bude.
