Fisheries staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grand Marais area office have been conducting surveys and assessments on several area lakes during the last month and will continue through the fall.
Waters scheduled for standard surveys or assessments include Cascade River, Kadunce Creek, Kimball Creek and the Devil Track River and a near-shore survey of Ward Lake on Aug. 9; Chester Lake on Sept. 20; Dislocation, Elbow Creek, Kadunce Creek, the Cascade River, Junco Creek and Nestor Creek on Aug. 24; Elbow Lake and a near-shore survey of Leo Lake on Aug. 30; Gabimichigami Lake on Sept. 13; Irish Creek, Portage Brook and the Onion River and a near-shore survey of Chester Lake on Aug. 16; Leo Lake on Sept. 27; Little Trout Lake and a near-shore survey of Pit Lake on July 26; Moon (near Flour), Gogebic, Pit and Hand lakes on June 14; Moosehorn Lake on Oct. 18; Swamp River, Fiddle Creek and the Flute Reed River and a near-shore survey of Elbow Lake on Aug. 2; Thrush Lake on Oct. 4; Trout Lake, a walleye reproduction check on Devil Track Lake and a near-shore survey on Mark Lake on July 19; Turnip Lake on Oct. 11; and Vale and Gadwall lakes on Sept. 6.
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. Survey frequency varies on each lake 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 outline specific management activities.
Information collected in 2010 will be available as a lake survey report in the spring of 2011. Lake surveys are available online at www. mndnr.gov/lakefind or from the Grand Marais area fisheries office.
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