DNR northern pike proposal

[Lee Borgersen]

....Informational meetings planned for DNR northern pike proposal

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Those interested in learning more about a statewide regulation proposal for northern pike fishing can attend informational meetings that will detail how the concept addresses problems with pike populations in north-central, northeast and southern Minnesota.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will discuss creating three pike fishing zones that could solve unique challenges with pike in each zone and improve northern pike fishing statewide.

The zone proposal would address pike problems that differ depending on region as follows:
•North-central: This area has too many small pike. There is moderate to high fishing pressure and high harvest of large and medium size pike. The proposal would increase abundance of medium and large pike, including the prime size for harvest, and decrease the number of small pike.
•Northeast: Pike are present in relatively low numbers here and at relatively large sizes. They reproduce naturally. Although they grow slowly, they can grow quite large because relatively few anglers scatter limited fishing pressure across a large number of lakes. The proposal would maintain harvest opportunity here while protecting large pike.
•South: Pike are less abundant here and don't reproduce as well as in the north. Southern Minnesota has high fishing pressure and a high harvest rate relative to the number of pike; however, these fish grow fast. The proposal would increase pike abundance here and improve harvest opportunity.

Dates, times and locations of meetings are available at www.mndnr.gov/pike. The site also includes more information about the zone proposal, a video and a space to sign up for email announcements.

"These in-person meetings will allow anglers to hear more information about the zone concept," said Don Pereira, fisheries section chief. "We all want to improve pike harvest opportunity in our state, and these meetings will help continue our dialogue with anglers about pike problems and possible solutions."

Each meeting will feature a 20-minute informational presentation. After the presentation, DNR staff will host information tables where they will be available to talk and answer questions about the proposal. Each meeting will provide information about all three zones.

Meetings are scheduled:
•Tower, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, Tower Civic Center, 402 Pine St.
•Alexandria, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, Broadway Ballroom, 115 30th Ave. E.
•Detroit Lakes, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, 900 Highway 34 E.
•Grand Rapids, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center training room on second floor, 402 Southeast 11th St.
•Bemidji, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, Northwest Technical College, 905 Grant Ave. SE.
•St. Cloud, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, Great River Regional Library - St. Cloud, 1300 W. St. Germain St.
•Apple Valley, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Ave.
•Andover, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, Bunker Hills Activities Center (accessible only from north entrance that is east of Bunker Lake), 550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW.
•Mankato, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, Country Inn & Suites, Mississippi/Riverbend room, 1900 Premier Drive.
•Duluth, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, EPA building, 6201 Congdon Boulevard.
•Willmar, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services Building (multi-purpose room), 2200 23rd St. NE, Suite 1020.