Whitefish and Cisco netting on area lakes opens soon

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Grand Rapids Area office, has announced the dates for sport netting whitefish and cisco on area lakes. The following lakes are open from the first Friday in November through the second Sunday in December (Nov. 3 through Dec. 10, 2006):

Ball Club,

Bowstring and Little Bowstring,

Cut Foot Sioux,

Deer (near Effie),

Grave,

Island (near Northome),

Jessie and Little Jessie,

Maple,

Pokegama,

Round (near Squaw Lake),

Rush Island,

Sand (near Max),

Swan,

Twin Lakes (near Marble),

Winnibigoshish and Little Winnibigoshish.

The following lakes are open to netting on 48-hour notice posted at public accesses and the DNR website. Opening dates are determined based on fish abundance, climatic conditions, and vulnerability of game fish. Anticipated open dates are:

· Deer (near Deer River) and Big Turtle October 27 through December 3

· Side and South Sturgeon November 3 through December 10

· Big Balsam and Nashwauk November 24 through December 24

A complete listing of the regulations is available at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html then click on: "Whitefish and Ciscoes Sport Gill Netting Regulations" or contact the DNR Area Fisheries office located at 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 or by phone at 218-327-4430.