Wayne, Nebraska Chapter History
The Wayne Izaak Walton League has been a Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America since 1954. It strives to conserve our natural environment and wildlife for the enjoyment of everyone in our community. The Izaak Walton League works to preserve and protect our natural resources.
The Wayne Chapter is composed of volunteers with a love of the outdoors and a desire to maintain and restore our Ike's Lake for the present and future careful utilization, recreation, and education of our small Nebraska community.
The Wayne Chapter received its charter as a member of the Izaak Walton League of America on May 13, 1954. A farm couple donated the land where Ike's Lake is currently located. It was an old shallow oxbow in a meander of Dog Creek that runs by the lake. In 1955, the area was dozed out to form the current lake and an overflow tube and drain tube were installed. The lake filled up the following year with the aid of a shallow well the chapter installed and still uses. The lake was originally stocked with Bluegill, Bass, and Catfish. Later, Northern Pike were introduced to reduce the numbers of small overpopulating Bluegill. Over the years, the lake has been restocked with Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Catfish various times. After several droughts and fish kills we are currently working to maintain Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Perch populations.
In the late 1960's, a portion of the lake was dredged with a small crane. In the late 1990's, the lake was dredged again with a large long reach backhoe. The lake was formed like an "E" with three prongs extending out to increase habitat. Most recently in 2018 we dammed off the North leg of the lake and pumped out the water. A local contractor dug out the section by the boat ramp deepening that portion of the lake. An earthen boat ramp provides access for non-gas engine boats. Camping, restroom, and picnic facilities are also located near the lake. A clubhouse is available for meetings.
The membership has varied over the years from a high of over 50 to as few as 5. Many organizations have used the lake and facilities over the years, including: Wayne State College classes, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church groups, 4-H groups, Eagle Scout projects, Pheasants Forever Youth/Mentor hunts, R-Way clients, and others.
Ikes Mission
The mission of the Izaak Walton League is to conserve, maintain, protect, and restore the forests, water, and other natural resources and to strive for the wise stewardship of the land, its resources and humans sharing it. Fifty-four sportsmen in Chicago formed the league in 1922. These sportsmen were concerned of the deteriorating conditions of the fishing streams. Their main goal was to save outdoor America for future generations.
The Izaak Walton League is one of the nation's oldest and most respected conservation organizations. With a powerful grassroots network of nearly 270 local chapters nationwide, the league takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country's natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.
National Izaak Walton Website: https://www.iwla.org/
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