DNR fisheries summer fieldwork schedule on Aitkin area lakes

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DNR fisheries summer fieldwork schedule on Aitkin area lakes
(Released March 29, 2012)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aitken area fisheries staff has announced the assessment schedule for the 2012 field season.

The DNR conducts 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 based on ongoing management evaluations and by angler use. Large lakes with heavy use are scheduled more frequently than small remote lakes. Lakes that are stocked on a regular basis are also sampled more frequently to assess stocking success and monitor growth rates. Staff then review the data and incorporate it into individual fisheries lake management plans. The plans identify goals for key species in the lake and outline specific management activities.

As soon as the ice is out:

• Dam Lake – walleye and northern pike trap nets and electrofishing.

• Long Lake – walleye and northern pike trap nets.

• Portage Lake – northern pike trap nets.

Beginning in April through May:

• Largemouth bass electrofishing – Hammal, Round (01-0023), Round (01-0137), Vanduse lakes.

• Walleye electrofishing – Sandy River and possibly Gun, Minnewawa and Wladimiraf (Section 10) lakes.

• Panfish trap nets – Boot, Townline, Vanduse and Wolf lakes.

June through October:

• Vanduse Lake – population assessment, June 11-15.

• Standard surveys on Round Lake (01-0023), June 18-22 and on Portage Lake,

June 25-29.

• Round Lake (010137) – population assessment July 9-13.

• Standard surveys on Dam Lake July 16-20, Minnewawa Lake, July 23-27, Townline Lake July 30-Aug. 3, and Wolf Lake Aug. 13-17.

• Hammal Lake – population assessment, Aug. 20-24.

• Tullibee habitat assessments in August on Ball Bluff, Little Ball Bluff, Big Sandy, Cedar, Farm Island, Long, Little Pine, Round (01-0070), Round (01-0204), and Spirit lakes.

• Mille Lacs Lake – smallmouth bass assessment during the spring and summer, zebra mussel related assessments throughout the summer, and annual fall surveys in September.

• Big Sandy, Farm Island, Mille Lacs, Clear, Minnewawa, Dam, Spirit, Gun and Wladimiraf (Section 10) lakes – fall juvenile walleye electrofishing assessments will be conducted in September.

• Loon Lake trout population assessment Oct. 8-12.

The information collected in 2012 will be available as a lake survey report in the spring of 2013 on the DNR website at http://www.mndnr.gov/ or from the area fisheries office. For more information contact the Aitkin Fisheries office at 218-927-3751, aitkin.fisheries@state.mn.us, or in writing at MN DNR, Area Fisheries, 1200 Minnesota Ave., Aitkin, MN 56431.

The DNR’s summer fieldwork activities are largely funded through the sale of
fishing licenses and the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act.