The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is now requiring “Lake Service Providers” to have aquatic invasive species (AIS) training. Our waters are quickly being contaminated by a variety of invasive species and this training is designed to help people understand and identify the problems that are infiltrating our waterways.
I know this comes across as another stupid hoop to jump through, but I am all for it. This is the most reasonable command, or requirement, for guiding I have seen yet. This will be required by fishing guides, as well as any other Lake Service Providers defined as: “those who, for hire, install or remove water related equipment or structures from waters in the state of Minnesota.” That pretty much covers anyone who touches water for a living.
The classes are being offered for the next couple of months in various locations throughout the state. Our local class will be held at Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters April 2 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Once the course has been completed, you will need to fill out an application and send it with $50. The certification is expected to be completed by ice-out for applicants. It is mandatory.
The website that has all of the information is www.minnesotawaters.org. The site lists the schedule of courses and allows you to create an account as well as pre-register for one of the courses you might be able to attend. There could be a cost involved with the course as well. For now, the registration states “to be determined” next to the cost.
This does increase the amount of paperwork the guides are already required to carry, but this one should be worth the hassle.
Saganaga Lake, as many of you know, is on the list of lakes that have been invaded by the spiny water flea. These nasty little creatures are brilliant reproducers that migrate vertically every day to elude their predators. The total extent of the damage that can be caused by this invader is not exactly known other than the obvious problem of consuming the matter that keeps our baitfish alive. This is a common cause and effect problem that begins by starving the bottom of the food chain and working its way upward and ultimately devastating fish populations.
Fortunately so far, nearby Sea Gull Lake has not been invaded by the flea. Sea Gull’s waters are connected to Sag through the Gull and Sea Gull River chain, but the water flows into Sag.
Theoretically, we are the only ones that could make it spread “up river” which is a very real threat considering the amount of traffic that jumps from lake to lake. The water may flow to Sag, but the boats and canoes flow everywhere. Education could help deter these invaders from reaching more lakes and ultimately killing more fish.
I watched a show on these enormous jellyfish invading the waters of Japan. Their immediate solution was to chop them up. They even designed boats to drag sharp wires through the water to slice them in half. It killed the jellyfish, but little did they know that the jellyfish had a defense mechanism. The creature was designed to release all of its eggs and reproduce upon dying. Japan’s hasty decision caused their problem to grow even worse.
The moral is that a little education can go a long way.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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