Heaven Pond In Lenexa, Ks Being Drained

[mzrealfish]

Good evening all,

There is a pond just off of K-10 and K-7 in Lenexa, KS that is being drained to build a school. We have fished it for the past 7 years and the sign, stating "future site of an Olathe elementary school" has been posted the entire time. 2 weeks ago, they finally broke ground. The dam is intact, for now. They have, however, cut down all of the trees surrounding the pond and built up a number of dirt piles around the edges of the pond. I have spoken to the Johnson County, KS fisheries biologist about reclaiming the fish before the dam is spiked/cut and the fish flow into the dry creek below. It is roughly a 6 acre pond. He has told me that the state will not reclaim the fish because of the chances of diseases being transferred to other populations.

Let's rewind. In the past 7 years of fishing this pond, my friends and I have caught and released to my knowledge at least 40 largemouth bass over 5 lbs., 5 of which were 8+ lb. bass. Yes, some were repeats I am sure. Last summer (2011) alone, I had 3 weighing in at 7lb 4oz., 8lb. 8oz. and 9lb. 10oz. It was also not uncommon for 2 of us to have 40 fish apiece in 2-3 hours. Attached you will find one 5 lb. bass that my neighbor caught on his first trip out there ever, on Father's Day of this year. The 2nd photo is from my last trip out 2 weeks ago. Didn't scale it but roughly 4.5 lbs. Sorry I don't have more photos avaialble.

I was advised by the biologist to do whatever I felt was neccessary to save as many of these fish as I can. I own a 2 acre farm pond less than 1 mile away. I am trying to gather avid conservation-minded fishermen, like myself to fish this pond out and transport them to my pond. In return, I will grant access to my pond for as long as it is in my family. I plan to fish 1 time per week, (best my schedule can accomodate) until the dam is cut. Any fish over 3 lbs., will be transferred. Once the dam has been cut, our plan is to remove fish with throw nets and transport them in the back of our trucks in large, (clean) trash cans. I have a team of 4. I need a team of 20. I know this is not an ideal plan, but this our first rescue mission. We hope to do the best we can! We are open t

If you live in the area, and are interested my Name is Mark Zukaitis and my email address is mark@bistrokids.com. Contact me, and I will give out all of the neccessary details.

[drew03cmc]

I sent you a PM regarding this. Let me know.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Seems kinda strange to remove a 6 acre pond for a school. Sorry to hear that you are losing such a great fishing spot. I don't know how many you can support in a pond that is approx 1/3 size. But overall good for you. Maybe you can meet up with others who have ponds that can "share the bounty".

[gramps50]

What a shame that the state was just going to waste such nice fish. Thanks for trying to save some of them, hope it all works out. If I were closer I would come and help. Good luck with your venture.

[podum]

PM sent

[mzrealfish]

I have a 20 year reunion to attend this weekend otherwise i would heading back out this weekend, but hope to be back out there sometime next week. I was out there this afternoon. The construction crew has leveled more ground around the pond, but I think we have some time before they cut it. I am going to target Saturday September 16th as my first big day of attempting to haul fish out of the pond. Please let me know if you are interested in joining my friends and I.

I fished for an hour and a half and caught about 18-20 bass. Nothing over 2 lbs. Next time maybe. The pond is located just south of St. James Academy. Take Prairie Star road west from K-7 then south on McCormack. Follow aorund to the south and west to the concrete washout sign and drive all the way down to the pond. As long as you have a state license you are legal there.

here are a few photos of the pond. The weeds are great right now. I caught 4 fish in less than 1 ft. of water today. The bass is only about 1/2 lb. but you can see the great weed beds. I am so going to miss this pond when it is gone! I am guessing that from the drought this year and the dirt that has been pushed into the north corner of the pond that it is about 4 1/2 acres right now. At its height, it had a couple of spots off the dam that were 16 feet deep. My guess is the deepest is about 11 feet right now. Fish weeds hard.

Good luck,

Mark

[Midwest troutbum]

Does seem strange to place a structure in a low area that was formerly a pond. Lots of extra site work is required at taxpayers expense. Seems there should be more suitable land to build on considering its not landlocked new York city out there. Best of luck catching and transporting the fish should they truely be pest and disease free.

[ness]

Crummy land costs less. You either pay for the 'good' ground, or by the bad stuff and pay to fix it up. Location was likely the biggest factor in the decision.