Act on muskies in Gull L.

[Lee Borgersen]

   Cass County Board: Commissioners decline to act on muskies in Gull Lake

 Sep 7, 2016 at 9:49 p.m.

 
 WALKER—Cass County commissioners declined Tuesday to act on a resolution that would have had them intervene in the dispute over stocking muskellunge in Gull Lake.
Minnesota DNR has ordered muskies be stocked annually in that lake over 10 years. Brainerd Chapter of Muskies Inc. supports it.
A majority of Gull Chain of Lakes Association members have signed a petition opposing stocking.

  ...
Since the last county board meeting, Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk talked to Sen. Paul Gazelka, who was an author of a Minnesota Senate bill last session that called for a four-year moratorium on stocking muskies in all additional Minnesota waters.

During the moratorium, further analysis would have been given to the impact muskies have on other fish. The bill passed the Senate, but never was heard in the House.

Gaalswyk said Gazelka considers that bill dead now.

  ....
Marc Bacigalupi, Minnesota DNR, said his agency has done studies on the impact of muskies on other game fish and has found no impact in other lakes. Additionally, he said, there were muskies historically in Gull before the dams were built on the lake.

Commissioner Dick Downham pointed out the county board does not have control over the DNR.

Gaalswyk noted the county had only taken positions on issues when the board has had unanimous support from local (city and town) governments on an issue. There were mixed positions from local governments on this issue.

Commissioner Jeff Peterson expressed concern about drawing more fishermen to Gull Lake, which is infested with zebra mussels, who then could bring more invasive species to lakes north of Gull.

Bacigalupi said it is important for all boaters to clean their boats thoroughly when leaving an infested water.

The board's action Tuesday cancelled the tabled status from the last meeting and had them declining to act on the resolution that would have supported a four-year moratorium.


  ......
Minnesota DNR has ordered muskies be stocked annually in that lake over 10 years. Brainerd Chapter of Muskies Inc. supports it.


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