DNR seeks comments on Grand Rapids area lake management plans

[HD]

DNR seeks comments on Grand Rapids area lake management plans
(Released February 25, 2011)


Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Grand Rapids area lakes and streams have until March 18, 2011 to ask questions or submit comments.

“Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Chris Kavanaugh, Grand Rapids area fisheries manager. “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 Rapids area, plans for the following lakes and streams will be reviewed.

Lakes and purpose of evaluation

Bass – Walleye/northern pike status and walleye stocking review

Battle – Walleye regulation evaluation

Bower – Fish community status review

Burrows – Fish community status review, evaluate walleye stocking

Camp 4 – Brook trout status and stocking review

Canisteo Pit – Lake trout status and stocking review 

Deer – Walleye regulation evaluation

Dock­ – Bluegill status and walleye stocking review

Fourteen­ – Update status of the fish community

Island – Walleye/northern pike status and regulation review, walleye stocking review

Kinney Pit – Stream trout status and stocking review

Lawrence  – Update status of the fish community

Longyear  – Fish community status and walleye stocking review

Lt. Jessie­ – Fish community status and walleye stocking review

Moose – Fish community status and muskellunge evaluation

Nickel – Stream trout status and stocking review

Pickerel­ – Walleye regulation evaluation

Pokegama­ – Fish community status and walleye stocking review

Shallow Pond­ – Fish community status and walleye stocking review

Snaptail – Fish community status review

Spider – Northern pike regulation review, walleye stocking review

Trout – Walleye regulation evaluation

Turtle­ – Bass regulation evaluation

Wasson – Fish community status review

Wolf­ – Fish community status review

In addition to the lakes listed, some plans being revised solely to update survey and assessment scheduling.  These lakes include Split Hand and Little Split Hand.

Streams

Dark River – Brook trout, stocking and habitat evaluation.

To review current plans for lakes and streams in the area, as well as recent fish population assessment information, contact the DNR’s Grand Rapids area fisheries office, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call 218-327-4430 or e-mail chris.kavanaugh@state.mn.us.  Preliminary results from recent surveys and assessments are posted at www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/grandrapids/index.html. 

Public comments on management plans will be taken through March 18, 2011.  Suggestions for management of any of the other lakes and streams in the Grand Rapids area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are due for review.