Patoka Sportsman 6-22-19

Patoka Sportsman 6-22 & 6-23-19

The water level at Monroe Lake is at 13.5 feet above normal pool, as of the morning of June 20, and still rising. Due to downstream flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers has shut down the water flow from the dam to flood release (200 CFS). Multiple areas and facilities at the lake are currently impacted by high water. They recommend checking their website at in.gov/dnr/parklake/2954.htm or following them at facebook.com/monroelake for the most up-to-date info.

The current water level at Patoka Lake as of Friday, June 21 is 548.02 feet.  The current level is 12.02 feet above full summer pool of 536 feet.  Most of the boat ramps will require you to walk through water to get to the dock part so you can get on your boat.  Keep that in mind if you plan on going to the lakes this weekend.  Also be aware of the extremely high water levels.  Trees that are normally out of the water will now be under water so make sure you slow down and use your depth finder.

Broken Arrow Archery Club will have a bow shoot on June 30 at the Beaver Lake Archery Range just off highway 164. Sign in will be from sunrise till noon.  A practice range will be available and concessions will also be sold.  There are new lower prices for entry fees.  The entry fee is $10 for all adults, $8 for children age 11-17 and free for the cub class 10 and younger and active military.  For more information call 812-827-3756.

Every year at about this time, boys and girls from across the state converge on Ross Camp in West Lafayette for a week long experience of learning and adventure at the Karl E. Kelley Memorial Youth Camp. The weeklong camp, currently underway with 120 campers from all over the Hoosier state, will conclude June 22. While attending, camper will be certified in Hunter Education and Boater Education. They will also participate in range day, where they will shoot muzzleloaders, shotguns, handguns, rifles, crossbows, and archery, all under the watchful eyes of Indiana Conservation Officers. In addition to the safety classes and range day, campers will participate in a water day with the ICO Scuba team, attending canoe safety classes, and enjoying airboat and Jet Ski rides. The goal of the week is to teach them life skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. The camp is open to any boy or girl who completed fifth or sixth grade the preceding school year. The first 120 campers are accepted in the order of receipt. The first Indiana Conservation Officer Youth Camp was held in August 1997. It was later named in memory of F/Sgt. Karl E. Kelly, who lost his life in the line of duty while attempting to rescue fellow officers who had become trapped in a low-head dam during a training exercise in April 1998.

The Patoka Lake Watershed Steering Committee encourages individuals, families, friends and service groups to save the date for the 13th annual Patoka Lake Clean Up on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Patoka Lake Dam. Participants of all ages and abilities can sign up on location at 8 am EDT and will be assigned an area to pick up trash and recycling along the shore.

At 11 am, all volunteers return to the dam to be treated to a fish fry, music, door prizes, goody bags and of course, a free event t-shirt! Service and youth groups are asked to please register in advance!  Join in the fun and help rid Patoka Lake Watershed of unsightly, unhealthy trash!

Each year volunteers pick up over 2000 pounds of trash and recycling during this event.

All supplies are provided; volunteers just need to show up! The event takes place at the Patoka Lake Corps of Engineers office at the Patoka Lake Dam at 4512 N. Cuzco Road, Dubois. For information or to register a group in advance, call the Patoka Lake Nature Center

at 812-685-2447 or check the Patoka Lake Watershed Steering Committee Facebook page for updates.

This year’s 13th Annual Thunder Over Patoka is presented by Dubois County Visitors Center will be on Saturday, July 6.  They can be viewed from the Newton Stewart Beach Area, from your boat on Patoka Lake or from vantage points around the lake.  Make sure you take along a radio and keep it tuned to WITZ 104.7 FM for some great music to watch the fireworks.  Other sponsors include: Hoosier Hills Marina, Orange County Visitors Center, Patoka Lake Marina and Winery, Behrman Houseboat Rentals LLC, French Lick Cabins, Laketime Marine & RV Center, Patoka Lake Pub and Grub, Jeff & Shellie Dukes, Ewing Printing, Wise Old Owl Cabins, Springs Valley Bank, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Zehr Auto Repair, Sharon Wilson, Hoosier Hills Credit Union and WITZ Radio. This one-of-a-kind fireworks show is presented by Dubois County Tourism and will begin on Saturday, July 6 immediately after our scheduled broadcast of the Dubois County Bombers game or approximately 10 PM.  Remember to tune your radio to WITZ 104.7 FM for some great music to watch the fireworks. 

There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday July 14th at Beaver Lake CR 325 E Jasper IN. Sign-in will be from sunrise till noon. A practice range will be available, and concessions will also be sold. There are new lower prices for entry fees. The entry fee is $10 for all adults, $8 for children age 11-17, and free for the cub class (10 and younger) and active military members. From Jasper, take State Road 164 east to County Road 325 East, turn left and follow the road to the clubhouse on the right. For more information , call cliff fleck at (812)630-0454 or karla brames at 812-827-3756.