The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced several fishing closures in Cook County during the beginning of the 2015 fishing season to protect concentrations of spawning walleye. Closures on Minnesota- Ontario waters are made in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and affect both sides of the border.
Closures apply to fishing only; travel is permitted through these areas.
All closed areas will be posted. The closures are intended to protect concentrations of walleye that may be vulnerable to over-harvest in what may be a year with relatively late ice-out and delayed spawning due to a persistently cool spring.
Questions may be directed to the DNR fisheries office in Grand Marais at 218-387-3056, or to Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, at steve.persons@ state.mn.us.
The following closures took effect April 1:
. Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately one-third mile north of the narrows; closed through May 22.
. Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota- Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake; closed through May 31.
. Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake; closed through May 31 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
. Unnamed channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border; closed through May 31.
. Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake; closed through May 22.
The following areas will be closed to fishing May 9 through May 22:
. Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake.
. Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.
Leave a Reply