DNR Tower area fisheries schedules summer field work

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DNR Tower area fisheries schedules summer field work
(Released May 17, 2011)


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) area fisheries office in Tower has announced their assessment schedule for the 2011 field season.

The DNR does fisheries surveys and assessments on a regular basis to monitor changes in fish populations, and to determine if management strategies have been effective. Survey frequency varies on each lake or stream based on ongoing management evaluations and by angler use.

 

Large lakes with heavy use are scheduled more frequently than small remote lakes.  Lakes and streams where active management strategies, such as fish stocking, are being evaluated are also sampled more frequently to assess success. 

Staff then review the data and incorporate it into individual fisheries lake or stream management plans.  The plans identify goals for key species in each waterbody and outline specific management activities.

Below is a list of fisheries related fieldwork that is scheduled for this field season (dates are tentative).

 Beginning from ice out to June:

*  Tofte, Ennis and High Lakes  (late May) – stream trout population assessments

*  Lake Vermilion – muskie assessment, East Basin

*   Section 30 and Grassy Creeks – fish habitat assessment

 June through September:

*  Bear Head Lake and Lake Vermilion – smallmouth and largemouth bass electrofishing

*  Lake Vermilion (Aug 1-10), East Twin (June 20-22), Everett (June 20-22), Bear Head (June 6-8) and White Iron Lakes (June 27-29) – nearshore trap netting

*  Agnes (June 27-July 1), Browns (Aug 15-19), Cold (Aug 8-12), East Twin (Aug 15-19), Everett (Aug 29-Sept 2), Hobo (July 25-28), Joseph (July 18-21), Lost (Aug 29-Sept 2), Mitchell (Aug 1-5), Picket (July 11-14), Pine (Aug 22-26), St. Mary’s (Aug 1-5), Wind (Aug 22-26) and Wood (Sept 6-9)  Lakes – population assessments

*  Beaver (Sept 6-9), Deep (July 11-14), Drag (June 27-Sept 2), Fire (June 27-Sept 2), Halfmoon (Aug 29-Sept 2), Shipman Bass (Aug 15-19), Spoon (July 5-8) and Spree (Aug 8-12)  – standard surveys

*  Burntside Lake (July 18-29) – lake trout deepwater assessment

*  Lake Vermilion – Shoreline seining to evaluate growth of young of the year gamefish

*  Lake Vermilion and White Iron Lake – young of the year walleye electrofishing

*  Lake Vermilion Fall Gill netting (mid-September)

*  Section 30 and Grassy Creeks – backpack electrofishing population assessment (late September)

The information collected this year will be available in lake survey reports in the spring of 2012 on the DNR website www.mndnr.gov or from the area fisheries office.

For more information, contact the Tower Fisheries office at 218-753-2580, jeff.eibler@state.mn.us , or Minnesota DNR, Area Fisheries, 650 Hwy 169, Tower, MN  55790.