Central Indiana Trout Unlimited

The Brookville Tailwater
The Brookville Tailwater is a 2-mile section of the east fork Whitewater River just below Brookville Dam.  We welcome additions and feedback about the information included here.

Each Spring, the Brookville Tailwater is stocked with rainbow trout (from the IDNR) and brown trout. It is important to note the special regulations regarding these two species in Indiana. Rainbow trout may be kept (maximum of 5 no less than 7 inches in size). Brown trout may only be kept if they are over 18 inches and only one fish of that size may be kept per day. All other trout must be released unharmed. See the IDNR website for more information
 
In addition to rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth bass are found in the tailwater as well as a variety of other warm water species such as carp, suckers, sunfish, and rock bass.
Document
Brookville Fishing PResentation
Wading at Brookville: 
Check the water levels at   https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/sw

We have the following guidelines:
Below 4 feet-  Ideal
4-4.5 feet- Mediocre
4.5 feet- Challenging
Above 5 feet-  Dangerous and unwadeable
Catch & Release Guidelines:

It is crucial that all fishermen use proper catch and release tactics on the tailwater. This is particularly important during the summer months when water temperatures are high and oxygen levels are low. In general, trout take longer to recover the smaller they are, the hotter the water temperature, or the longer they have been played.
 
Here are some general guidelines and recommendations for proper catch and release fishing. 
 
1. Play the fish as quickly and gently as possible. Smaller fish in particular should not be played simply to "put a fish on the reel." 
 
2. If at all possible, avoid touching the fish, or, minimize the amount of handling. Fishing with barbless hooks makes releasing hooked fish much easier and does not adversly affect your hook-ups. You can pinch down the barb on your hooks with forceps. Landing nets can assist in minimizing handling.
 
3. As much as possible, keep your fish in the water. If you must take a photo, do so as quickly as possible and return the fish to the water. 
 
4. After unhooking your fish, maintain control of him either by keeping him in your landing net or by gently cradling him in your hands. Face the fish upstream in some current to oxygenate his gills. Do not release him until you are confident the fish is rested and recovered. Most fish will swim away on their own power at this point. 
 
5. Take the time to observe your fish after you release it. If it begins to founder or turn upside down, re-handle him and move him back in forth in the current until he is sufficiently revived.
 
 6. Strongly consider limiting your fishing when water levels are low and temperatures are high. As a general rule, if water levels at the Brookville gauge are below 2.5 and water temperatures are above 70 degrees, you should consider fishing elsewhere.
 
Perhaps most importantly, develop a personal conservation ethic around your fishing. The only one who knows if you have acted ethically is you ( and perhaps, the fish).
Midge Life Cycle



There are four stages in the life cycle of chironomid midges. Eggs are laid on the surface of the water. Each gelatinous egg mass may contain up to 3,000 eggs depending on the species. Eggs sink to the bottom and hatch in several days to one week. After leaving the egg mass, larvae burrow into the mud or construct small tubes in which they live. Larvae enlarge their tubes as they grow. Suspended organic matter in the water and in the mud is used as food by the developing larvae. After they grow, the larvae take on a pink color and gradually turn a dark red. Consequently, mature larvae are commonly called “blood worms”. The red color results from an iron containing compound, haemoglobin, that is in the midge’s blood. The haemoglobin allows the larvae to respire under low dissolved oxygen conditions in the bottom mud. The larval stage can take from less that 2 to 7 weeks depending on water temperature. Larvae transform into pupae while still in their tubes. After 3 days, pupae actively swim to the sur-face, and adults emerge several hours later. Adults mate in swarms soon after emerging. Because they do not feed, adults live for only 3 to 5 days.

During summer, the entire life cycle from egg to adult can be completed in 2 to 3 weeks. In the fall, larvae do not pupate, but they suspend development and pass through the winter months as mature larvae. Pupation and emergence of adults occurs the following spring in late March or early April. Several more generations of midges will be produced throughout summer, resulting in mass emergences of adults. In each generation, adults will typically emerge in large numbers for several weeks.

Credits:

BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF NON-BITING AQUATIC MIDGES

By: Charles Apperson, Michael Waldvogel and Stephen Bambara, Extension Entomology



Follow this link for a pretty decent article on midging.