Frenchman WMA sandpits to be chemically renovated

Frenchman Wildlife Management Area’s three sandpits in Hayes County will be chemically renovated the week of Aug. 12.

The area flooded after significant rain in 2023, leaving the pits’ fisheries in an undesirable state. The application of the chemical rotenone will be used to remove gizzard shad and common carp.

A few largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, saugeye, and channel catfish were salvaged and moved to Hayes Center WMA (Camp Hayes Lake) on Aug. 6.

Frenchman WMA will be restocked with largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and bluegill this fall and again in 2025. Channel catfish also will be reintroduced to the sandpits in the fall of 2025.

Access to all three lakes will be closed to fishing and recreation while the chemical is being applied, but the surrounding WMA will remain open.

Funding is provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission license sales and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration.