I did some research back last year about stocking and CPW regs. A permit is required no matter what fish you stock but with trout the regs are pretty minimal. But with bass/crappie/BG and such there are inlet/outlet control and berming. Required to ensure protection of the endangered species in the CO/Gunny, so they say. Since I have no inlet/outlet the only thing I would need to provide is berming. I know a few folks that have old gravel pit ponds along the CO and Gunny and CPW shows up prior to them issuing a permit and verifies a berm is present. I have berming in my contract with the mining company at time of reclamation so all good. Even though I'll have plenty of material to build the berm and the equipment (mini/skid steer/JD backhoe) the mining folks can knock it out in short order.

Yeah the dewatering of lake was a blessing for sure. I have till Sept 2026 to get all improvements complete which begins reclamation and filling of the lake. With no water in the lake gave me the opportunity to build a ramp/steps with boulders down to a beach area this summer. No way was able to do this with water in the lake. Fall and winter brings more projects.

My goal right now is to gather as much info from you guys as possible while no water in lake. Perform those projects while I have access and at this same time start planning for when water is in the lake and stocking begins. I think this winter will bring building artificial habitat. I have plenty of natural habitat laying around the property, downed trees, boulders, etc but reading things here and other sites artificial habitat seems like a great option.

I fly a drone about every week to document the mining and also a development project I have going just north of the lake. If I can figure out how to add pics I'll show you guys what the lake looked like prior to mining and now with it dewatered.