Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

DNR seeks comments on lake management plans in Grand Marais

Every year the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prepares or revises individual fisheries lake management plans for several lakes in each management area. Lake management plans describe the past, present, and desired future conditions of the lake. The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake in the next five to 20 years. Those activities always include surveys and assessments, but may also include stocking, habitat or access improvements, or changes to regulations. In the Grand Marais area, plans for the following lakes will reviewed between now and January 1, 2008.

Brule - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Bulge - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Clove - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Crab - review current walleye stocking success, consider discontinuing stocking

Crystal - managed for lake trout, assessment plan needed

Crocodile - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Dawkins - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Dick - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Dogtrot - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Fleck - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

French - managed for lake trout, assessment plan needed

Gull - considering regulations and other options for walleye, with Saganaga

Horseshoe - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

John - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

John, Little - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Kelly - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Lizz - review brook trout management

Loft - review brook trout management

Merganser - consider management options for northern pike

Missouri - northern pike have eliminated wild brook trout in this lake

Northern Light - consider management options for walleye and northern pike

Peterson - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Pike - considering regulations and other options for walleye

Pit - review bluegill management

Saganaga - considering regulations and other options for walleye, possibly lake trout

Sea Gull - considering regulations and other options for walleye, possibly lake trout

Silver - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Slip - managed for warmwater species, assessment plan needed

Thompson - review rainbow and brown trout stocking rates

Thrush - review brook trout management

Topper - review brook trout management

Turnip - review brook trout management

Current plans for these lakes, and draft revisions (as they are written) will be available for review at the DNR Fisheries Office, 1356 Hwy 61 East, Grand Marais. Interested parties may stop in at any time to discuss these plans with fisheries staff, or they can call at (218) 387-3056. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to steve.persons@dnr.state.mn.us . Office hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Public comment on and suggestions for management of these lakes will be taken through January 1, 2008.

In addition to taking comments during regular business hours, two evening input sessions have been scheduled in December. Grand Marais Fisheries staff will be on hand at the Grand Marais Fisheries office (1356 Hwy 61 East) from 6 pm to 9 pm, Wednesday, December 12 and Saturday December 15.