Orleans, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources continues to get favorable response to the decision to reintroduce paddlefish in the Okoboji chain. Hatcheries Biologist Andrew Carlson says fishermen and the public at large seem to like it.

While the paddlefish were ubiquitous 100 years ago, they haven’t been seen in decades. The DNR is now trying to learn about their nesting patterns.

Carlson says the population can be regulated, because the breed typically does not reproduce in lake settings.

The paddlefish has also been reintroduced to Lost Island Lake in Ruthven.