Experts review Mille Lacs

[Lee Borgersen]

     Experts' review of Mille Lacs management.


DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                 April 2, 2015
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Experts' review of Mille Lacs management is presentation topic 
Results from an independent review of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Mille Lacs Lake management, and DNR comments on those findings, will be the topic of a presentation from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at Garrison City Hall, 27069 Central St. in Garrison.

Paul Venturelli, a nationally recognized University of Minnesota fisheries professor, will present the review conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of national and international fisheries experts. Melissa Treml, DNR fisheries research manager, will comment on the panel's findings.

The event is part of a series intended to share biological information and answer citizen questions on important and timely topics related to the ecology and management of Mille Lacs Lake.

Venturelli will share results from the independent review, which began in early 2014 when the DNR solicited the input of national and international fish experts, as part of a broad approach to understand and improve the Mille Lacs walleye situation. The panel issued a report on its findings in mid-January, available at http://z.umn.edu/millelacswalleyepanel.

"The panel gave us an important independent review as we understand and address the decline of walleye in Mille Lacs," said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries chief. "The results confirmed that low survival of young walleye is likely responsible for the decline."

The DNR calls the events "Hooked on Mille Lacs: On the Road." They complement the agency's "Hooked on Mille Lacs Lake" quarterly newsletter. At these and future gatherings, experts will present on important and timely Mille Lacs topics. A facilitated question and answer session on the evening's topic will give people the chance to ask questions and make suggestions for future discussions.

The meetings are part of an agency approach to more broadly communicate fish population information, research findings and rationale for management decisions. There is no charge for admission, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

To learn about Mille Lacs Lake management, visit www.mndnr.gov/millelacslake.