What Do You Think?

     The DNR is asking for input on the management of lakes and streams in our area.  Do you have any ideas for them?

DNR seeks comments on Grand Marais area lake and stream management plans

(Released November 15, 2010)

Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Grand Marais area lakes and streams have until Dec. 31, to ask questions or submit comments.

“Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Steve Persons, Grand Marais Area Fisheries supervisor. “The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream in the next five to 20 years.”

Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. In the Grand Marais area, plans for the following lakes and streams will reviewed.

Lakes

• Bench – managed for brook trout, considering possible reductions in stocking numbers or frequency.
• Leo – managed for rainbow trout, considering changes in the size or number stocked, or the frequency of stocking.
• Little Mayhew – considering ways to limit the newly-established northern pike population, to reduce effects of those fish on trout populations in Mayhew Lake.
• McFarland – managed for walleye, reviewing status of population and whether stocking or regulations might be needed.
• Moss – managed for lake trout, considering possible reduction or elimination of stocking due to good natural reproduction.
• Pierz – managed for splake, considering possible elimination of stocking due to large numbers of smallmouth bass.
• Poplar – managed for walleye, considering an increase in stocking and possible special regulations on the walleye fishery.
• Ram – managed for lake trout and rainbow trout, considering elimination of lake trout stocking due to possible natural reproduction.
• Tait – managed for walleye, revising plan to include sampling required for a new statewide long term monitoring program.

In addition to the lakes listed above, there are several lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for which plans are being revised solely to update survey and assessment scheduling. Those lakes include Crooked, Davis, Gillis, Hub, Morris, Paulson, North Temperance, and South Temperance lakes.

Streams

• Elbow Creek – managed for brook trout, plan will focus on habitat protection and monitoring.
• Fiddle Creek – managed for brook trout, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring.
• Flute Reed River – managed for steelhead, plan will focus on acquisition, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring.
• Irish Creek – managed for brook trout, plan will focus on road crossing improvements, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring.
• Nestor Creek – managed for brook trout, plan will focus on riparian management.
• Onion River – managed for brook trout and steelhead, plan will emphasize habitat protection and monitoring.
• Stump River – managed for brook trout, but plan will consider dropping the stream as a designated trout stream.
• Swamp River – managed for brook trout, but plan will consider dropping the stream as a designated trout stream, or starting an intensive restoration effort.
• Woods Creek – managed for brook trout, plan will focus on habitat restoration in the headwaters reach.

People can review current plans for lakes and streams in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information at the DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries office, 1356 E. Highway 61 in Grand Marais. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call (218-387-3056) or e-mail Persons at steve.persons@state.mn.us.

Comments and suggestions on other streams and lakes in the area are welcomed at any time, and will be considered when those plans are due for review.