Orleans, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Paddlefish were reintroduced to Okoboji two years ago. DNR Fisheries Biologist Andrew Carlson says the species is not only surviving but appears to be thriving.

Carlson says Okoboji is on the way to becoming the premiere location for paddlefish in the state.

Newspaper accounts indicate that Paddlefish were common in the Iowa Great Lakes 100 years ago but were certainly stocked as it appears they only bread in rivers, not lakes.