Iowa officials stock lake with 200 muskellunges

ELDRIDGE (AP) ? Officials have stocked a lake in eastern Iowa with 200 freshwater fish known to balloon in size.

Biologists with the state Department of Natural Resources introduced the muskellunges to Lost Grove Lake in Scott County on Monday.

The muskellunges are currently about 12 inches long, but they can get to be 50 inches for adult males and 40 inches for adult females.

The Quad-City Times reports the stocking is part of a more than $7 million project that's been 20 years in the making. Officials plan to finish filling the lake in two to three years.

Biologists warn fishers to use small hooks in the lake's body. Bass, bluegill and sunfish were stocked last fall. Construction of a boat ramp and access roads is expected to begin this summer.