By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Nearly $19,000 worth of fish were released into Lake Panorama in 2025, funded by Fin and Feather. On Oct. 28, 2,000 3-to-5-inch walleye were added to the lake. There also were 3,000 perch and 2,500 largemouth bass of the same size released that day.
New this year were 20 muskie that were 12 to 15 inches long. Lake Rumelhart, Lake Panorama Association (LPA) project manager, assists Fin and Feather with the annual fish stocking program.
“After conversations with some folks with the Iowa DNR fisheries, it was recommended we add muskies to the lake,” Rumelhart says. “The committee wanted to add another predator species, as there are too many small panfish in the 6-to-8-inch range. Muskies do better in warmer water with less natural structure and may be a perfect fit for Lake Panorama.”
Muskies are sport fish, pursued by anglers for recreation.
“LPA reminds members that while the state allows anglers to keep one muskie over 40 inches in length, these fish do not reproduce in our lake and are expensive to stock,” Rumelhart says. “LPA encourages catch and release of muskies, along with other trophy-size sporting fish.”
Walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also are considered sport fish.
“The committee stocks both bass species, walleye and perch, since the panfish species of bluegill and crappie do well on their own,” Rumelhart says.
The long-time supplier for the fish-stocking program is North Star Fish Hatchery, a third-generation, family-owned business in Montour. North Star brought the fish to Lake Panorama, where the fish were released at the marina.
Volunteers in the nonprofit Fin and Feather group have been stocking fish and working to improve fishing conditions in Lake Panorama since 1984. When the dam was closed in 1970, the only thing natural to the lake were crappie, largemouth bass, carp and catfish.
Besides stocking fish, the group helps improve fish habitat and sponsors an annual fishing derby for children during Panorama Days. Fin and Feather raises money through annual memberships and a fundraising banquet each spring.
The 2026 banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, the same date as the LPA annual meeting. The event will be held at the Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort with social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.
A total of 2,500 largemouth bass were released into Lake Panorama for 2025. The annual fish stocking was done Oct. 28.
There were 3,000 perch added to Lake Panorama Oct. 28, all in the 3-to-5-inch length.
A new addition to this year’s fish stocking were 20 muskie that were 12 to 15 inches long. While Iowa allows anglers to keep one muskie more than 40 inches in length, LPA encourages catch and release of muskies along with other trophy-size sporting fish.
Nearly $19,000 worth of fish were released into Lake Panorama in 2025, funded by Fin and Feather. On Oct. 28, 2,000 3-to-5-inch walleye were added to the lake.