Grand Marais area fisheries announces survey work

Grant Smith of Grand Marais had a great day of fishing on Lake Saganaga on Saturday, April 9. He caught this massive 32 ½ inch walleye. It weighed in at 12 pounds.

Fisheries staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grand Marais area office will conduct surveys and assessments on several area lakes and streams during the next few months.

Fisheries surveys and assessments are done on a regular basis to monitor changes in fish populations and to determine if management strategies have been effective. The survey frequency varies on each lake and stream based on ongoing management evaluations and angler use. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Lakes stocked regularly are also sampled more frequently to assess stocking success and monitor growth rates.

Data collected is reviewed and incorporated into individual fisheries lake management plans. The plans identify goals for key species in the lake and outlines specific management activities. As a result of the Clean Water Legacy Act, many lakes being sampled this summer will also include near-shore small fish sampling using seining and backpack electro-fishing techniques. Combined with standard survey assessments, this data will allow the DNR to gauge the overall health of the fish community in these lakes.

Management plans for many of the above lakes and streams will be reviewed and revised during the next year or two. Public comments and suggestions for future management of these waters are welcome at any time. All current lake and stream management plans for the Grand Marais area are available for review at the area office. Survey plans are tentative. Lakes and streams may be added or dropped and the timing may change. Questions about these surveys can be addressed to the DNR’s Grand Marais Area Fisheries at 1356 Highway 61 East, Grand Marais, MN 55604, or by calling 218-387-3056 or emailing steve.persons@state.mn.us.

Information collected this year will be available as a lake survey report in the spring of 2012. Lake surveys are available online at www.mndnr.gov/lakefind or from the Grand Marais area fisheries office.