AFTON, IA—The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering anglers a unique opportunity on Twelve Mile Lake: liberalized fishing regulations. The DNR planning to kill all fish in the lake in midsummer to eradicate overabundant nuisance fish it says have caused lake use to drop dramatically.
To allow anglers to better utilize valuable gamefish before the eradication effort begins, the DNR dropped the lake's normal size and bag limits. Anglers may also use an unlimited number of lines, including jug lines and trot lines, as long as they tend the lines at all times.

The lake's liberal regulations will remain in place until approximately July 4, when chemicals will be applied to kill all remaining fish. The DNR will restock the lake this fall with a variety of gamefish, including catfish, bass and walleyes. Biologists estimate that anglers should be able to start fishing Twelve Mile Lake again within one year.