Deer Creek restocked with fish

LELAND — State wildlife officials have restocked Deer Creek near Leland with bluegill fish.

Leland Mayor James Lowe says the creek’s fish population had dwindled during the summer when the creek reached near record low levels.

Lowe says a fish kill last year also depleted the number of fish in the creek.

Ronnie Yarbrough, the secretary of the Deer Creek Watershed Association, says the state fish hatchery had restocked the creek with crappie in the Hollandale area in January. He says the creek has to be restocked after a drought.

Yarbrough says local farmers, who have used water from the creek, have agreed to stop irrigation when the creek reaches a certain level.

Yarbrough says DCWA wants to maintain the viability of the 163-mile long creek.