Fisheries staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Grand Marais area office will continue its surveys and assessment project on several Cook County lakes and streams during the next few months.
The project began in April and will run through the fall as follows: . Sept. 7 – survey Morris, Birch, Gadwall and Vale Lakes. . Sept. 14 – survey Gabimichigami and Margaret lakes. . Sept. 21 – survey Thrush and Unnamed (near Tom) lakes. . Sept. 28 – survey Tomato and Thompson lakes. . Oct. 5 – survey Carrot and Leo lakes. . Oct. 12 – disease testing of lake trout in Mountain Lake. . Oct. 19 – survey Esther Lake.
Final reports on 2015 surveys will be available in the spring of 2016, but preliminary results for many lakes should be available in the fall of 2015. Final lake survey results will be available online at www.mndnr.gov/lakefind or from the Grand Marais area fisheries office. Contact the office if interested in stream survey results or preliminary lake survey results.
Fisheries surveys are performed on a regular basis to monitor changes in fish populations and to determine if management strategies have been effective. Survey methods and frequencies vary based on the types of information needed for ongoing management evaluations in individual lakes and streams. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Stocked lakes are also sampled more often to better assess stocking success. Large trout streams are surveyed more frequently than small trout streams or warm-water streams. Most streams are surveyed using backpack electrofishing gear, while most lakes are surveyed using gill nets and trap nets.
Survey results are reviewed and incorporated into individual lake and stream management plans. The plans identify goals for key species in the lake and outline specific management activities. They are typically revised every six to 10 years. All current lake and stream management plans for the Grand Marais area are available at the area office, and copies can be provided upon request. Public comments and suggestions for management of these waters are welcomed at any time. The DNR may be contacted at (218) 387-3056.
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