Indiana: Williams Dam Now Open to Fishing

[Fishaholic]

-Williams Dam open for fishing
-2005 snow goose conservation season
-Amphibian fans needed to monitor Indiana frog and toad populations
--------------------------------------------------------------------


Williams Dam open for fishing
------------------------------

The Department of Natural Resources is reopening Williams Dam on the East
Fork of the White River in Lawrence County to anglers and sightseers. The
area around the dam had been closed since September for repair work to the
face of the dam.

Construction equipment will be removed from area over the winter, which will
allow additional access for fishing and boating upstream and downstream of
the dam. New signs have been installed in the area advising anglers and
boaters of changes.

DNR patched a 9-by-14-foot hole in the downstream face of the concrete dam.
Minor surface repair will be completed in August 2005 when river water
levels are expected to again drop to workable stages. The project cost
$406,600.

"The most important part of the project, repair of the hole, has been
completed. The remaining work is minor surface repairs," said DNR Chief
Engineer Tom Hohman.

Williams Dam was built in 1910 and for many years was part of a
hydroelectric plant. Bedford uses water impounded by the dam as a source for
drinking water.

Williams Dam Public Fishing Area is in Williams, Ind., nine miles southwest
of Bedford on State Road 450. The public fishing site includes a boat launch
and is noted for drum, catfish and panfish fishing.

The site is also a good place to try fishing for late-winter sauger. Wait
for a clearing and dropping river and fish with chartreuse or white 1/4- to
3/8-ounce jigs downstream of the dam where these camouflaged members of the
perch family congregate during spawning migrations.