Despite the massive cloud of news about the harmful effects of drought and extreme heat, the current conditions across Indiana in some situations may show a glimmer of hope – but you have to look hard.

In some situations, anglers have reason for optimism. In the Wabash River, the drought is killing invasive Asian carp, which are a threat to native species. Asian carp prefer living in oxbows and backwater areas, which are drying up and leaving the fish stranded without adequate water.

“At least Asian carp may not gain an additional competitive advantage over native species this year,” said Bill James, chief of fisheries for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “It might be a year where things kind of hold their own. Species like smallmouth bass tend to have higher reproductive success during low-flow years.”

The drought has created favorable fishing conditions for many species. For example, low water in Indiana’s streams and rivers has concentrated fish in pockets of deeper water, making them easier to find. In Lake Michigan, summer-run steelhead are hesitant to return to warmer-than-normal streams and are concentrating in near-shore water, resulting in excellent fishing.

The good news for fishermen comes with a warning: As water heats, its capacity to hold oxygen diminishes, and could result in fish kills (as reported in last week’s Farm World, in fact).

While wildlife will be stressed, there may be some lower survival rates of young and higher mortality of older, weaker animals. There may be increased predation as prey and predators congregate on limited resources, as well.

Wildlife species have ways of adapting, as they have in previous drought years. Wildlife will reduce their activities or change the timing of activities and may not be as visible. When the rains return, bringing cooler daytime temperatures, we may be surprised by the appearance of the surviving wildlife.

The raining of honeydew from tulip trees has stopped or slowed. Starting in May, tulip tree scale began “raining” honeydew, a sticky waste product of the scale, on people and property near such trees. The “rain” has slowed as the trees adjust to a lack of real rain.

The scale epidemic was a result of mild winter weather and early spring weather. Reduced honeydew “rain” is good, clean news short-term, for humans; however, the reduction is also due to the scale’s maturing. Although the trees are still releasing some honeydew, tulip tree leaves are turning yellow, then will turn brown and fall off, a method of surviving both the scale and the drought.

People with tulip trees should consider switching from using insecticide to battle the scale to watering their tree, if affordable. More information on scale is available by calling the DNR at 866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684) or your county extension office.

And, if you like hearing the annual cicadas sing, you may be hearing their tune sooner because of the early spring. Their singing period may be longer than usual because of the dry soil, which will prolong their emergence.

Finally, waterfront owners may find lower water levels allow checking manmade features around streams, rivers and lakes for problems typically hidden underwater. Repair or maintenance projects already underway may now have a longer work window.

As a result of the drought, more public boat ramps are becoming unsafe for launching trailered boats, especially on rivers. Shallow water has increased the risk boat operators will drive their trailers over the ends of boat ramps, especially in muddy rivers where ramps might be difficult to see underwater.

The trailers could become stuck or damaged, according to Jamie Smyth, fisheries staff specialist with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW). “Use common sense,” Smyth said. “Don’t push it too far. If you decide to launch a trailered boat, go nice and slow.”

DNR boat ramps are administered through the divisions of Fish & Wildlife and State Parks & Reservoirs. DFW maintains hundreds of boat ramps across Indiana through its public access program, but does not monitor water levels at each one. DFW does not plan to close any ramps and is urging people to use discretion when planning to launch a boat.

“Some ramps are currently only suitable for launching canoes, kayaks and small, hand-carried boats,” Smyth said. “Once you safely launch your boat, use extra caution to avoid shallow water, rocks and other obstacles.”

As of last week, the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs closed the Portland Mills boat ramp at Raccoon Lake, although the main boat ramp remains open. At Mississinewa Lake, the Pearson Mill boat ramp is open for small boats only, and the Frances Slocum boat ramp is open for bass-type boats, but not large speed boats. The Red Bridge and Miami boat ramps at Mississinewa remain open with no restrictions.

Water levels are abnormally low at all DNR reservoirs, and boaters are urged to use caution. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has found low water levels of the Tippecanoe River below the Oakdale Dam is causing destruction of several mussel beds containing federally and state endangered mussels.

Because of the threat to the endangered species, the FWS has mandated NIPSCO to maintain a flow of at least 200 cubic feet per second (FPS), through the Oakdale Dam. The increase is expected to decrease the level of Lake Freeman by approximately 1/10 of a foot every three hours.

The level of Lake Freeman was down approximately one foot by July 9. The efforts are expected to increase the level of the Tippecanoe River enough to protect the endangered species.

Currently, NIPSCO advised no plans to adjust the flow through the Norway Dam controlling the level of Lake Shafer.

Boaters should be aware of the changing water levels. Underwater obstructions such as stumps and submerged objects could be just below the water’s surface, and extra care should be taken at night. Boaters unfamiliar with the area should decrease their speed and use caution.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.