July 1, 2005
Press Release

Minnesota DNR - News Releases

Leech Lake action plan moves forward; anglers pleasantly surprised by walleye, bass, muskie opportunities

Just 10 months after a pivotal public meeting in Walker, where area residents and resort owners sought immediate action to improve walleye fishing on Leech Lake, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Leech Lake Reservation Division of Resources Management (DRM) are well on their way to delivering on the promises they made to improve the lake's fishery. Fisheries managers report the DNR is making progress in all areas of its four-part plan for the lake: special fishing regulations, experimental walleye stocking, cormorant control and lake habitat improvements.

PROTECTING BROOD STOCK WITH SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS

Immediately following the August 2004 meeting, the DNR set the wheels in motion to implement experimental walleye regulations on the lake, including a protective slot of 18 to 26 inches, a four-fish bag limit and a one-over-26-inch possession limit. Public support for the regulation was overwhelming, with 80 percent favoring the regulations during a public comment period on the proposal in December. New regulations went into effect on opening day this year; reports about angling experiences on the lake have been positive.

"I think the prevailing message that started to spread was that the Leech Lake fishery was dead," remarked Henry Drewes, regional fisheries manager for the DNR's Northwest Region. "That was unfortunate, because the lake has the third strongest level of walleye brood stock we've ever measured in it right now. Those fish have the potential to produce strong future year classes if they're protected and the conditions are right. What's important for anglers is those fish are still out there in the lake to be caught. In our angler surveys, we're actually hearing walleye fishing on Leech has been better than expected, even though anglers aren't able to keep a lot of walleye."

Fisheries biologists will be monitoring the impacts of the experimental regulations over the next five years with annual walleye sampling and angler surveys in 2005 and 2010.

EXPERIMENTAL WALLEYE FRY STOCKING

In early May, the DNR stocked 7.5 million marked walleye fry into the lake in an effort to better understand the lake's natural walleye production. This information is important, according to Drewes, because the target population goal for the lake's double-crested cormorant colony will be at least partially based on that information. The lake's colony of cormorants, which can consume up to a pound of fish per day per bird, ballooned to nearly 10,000 birds last summer. The colony is being blamed for the absence of younger age classes of walleye in Leech Lake in recent years.

The level of natural reproduction will be measured by estimating the ratio of marked to unmarked fish collected this summer in trawling and seining samples, according to Harlan Fierstine, Walker area fisheries supervisor for the DNR. "Beginning in early July and throughout the summer, we'll be sending biologists out to collect young-of-the-year walleye to determine what the ratio of natural versus stocked walleye is in the lake," said Fierstine. "This information will help determine the optimal level of brood stock in the lake and provide insight into the level of natural reproduction that is occurring on Leech Lake."

CORMORANT DAMAGE CONTROL

The DNR cooperated with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's Division of Resources Management (DRM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program to complete an environmental assessment, which cleared the way for cormorant management on Leech Lake.

The USDA's Wildlife Services program, under a contract with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and with funding from the DNR, reduced the cormorant colony on Little Pelican Island to about 600 nesting pairs in May and June.

The culling operation on Little Pelican Island was suspended in late June to protect the other colonial water birds on the island, according to the Leech Lake DRM. The sharpshooters will continue to take about 20 birds per week by pass shooting throughout the summer for a diet study, however. That study, which will be conducted by graduate students from the University of Minnesota, will help determine a sustainable population level for cormorants on Leech Lake.

HABITAT PROTECTION

The final part of the Leech Lake action plan is habitat protection. According to Drewes, a primary focus will be controlling invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, curly leaf pondweed and the Chinese mystery snail, which appeared in the lake in the summer of 2004.

Eurasian watermilfoil was found in five harbors in the summer of 2004. Efforts to control the invasive species late last summer were largely successful. The DNR is offering resort owners and guests personal training on how to identify the aquatic plant and clean boats to prevent its further spread. The DNR is also planning additional treatment for the harbors where the plant was found this summer. A survey was conducted earlier this year looking for curly leaf pondweed, but none was discovered.

"I'm really encouraged by what I'm seeing and hearing on Leech Lake," said Drewes. "Angler success for larger walleye has been good and we are approaching the peak season for bass and muskie fishing."

Leech Lake is one of the premier muskie waters in the Upper Midwest and is gaining attention as one of the best bass lakes in Minnesota, noted Drewes. "Overall, we are very pleased with the progress that has been made in the first few months since our action plan was initiated."

DNR accepting applications for 2005 Camp Ripley archery hunts

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin accepting applications on July 1 for the 2005 regular archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls. Hunters may pick from only one of two hunting seasons, Oct. 20-21 or Oct. 29-30. A total of 4,500 permits, 2,250 per two-day hunt, will be made available.

Hunters may choose from four options to apply for the Camp Ripley deer hunts:

- through the DNR's computerized Electronic Licensing System (ELS) at any one of 1,800 ELS agents located throughout Minnesota

- by telephone at 1-888-MNLICEN (665-4236)

- at the DNR License Center in St. Paul

- through the DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

The application fee for the hunt is $8 per applicant. The application deadline is Aug. 19. People who apply by phone or Internet will be charged an additional convenience fee of $3.50 per transaction. This year, participants will be allowed to use bonus permits and take up to two deer during their hunt.

To apply, resident and nonresident hunters will need a valid state driver's license or state issued identification card with current address, a Firearms Safety Certificate number, or a Minnesota DNR number found on a recent Minnesota fishing and hunting license. The identification card used should reflect the hunter's current mailing address because this is where winning notifications in the computer preference drawing will be sent.

Applicants must be at least 12 years of age prior to Oct. 20. In addition, anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, must have a Firearms Safety Certificate, a previous hunting license, or other evidence of successfully completing a hunter safety course to obtain a license to hunt or trap in Minnesota.

Hunters applying for a permit will be asked a series of questions. It is recommended that they prepare for these questions by completing a worksheet prior to making an application. Hunt application worksheets are available on the DNR's Web site, from the DNR License Bureau or from an ELS agent. Hunters may apply as individuals or as a group of up to four individuals. Group members may only apply for the same two-day season.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt with the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.

Apply for special youth deer hunts starting July 1

Applications for the 2005 special youth deer hunts will be accepted beginning July 1 at any DNR Electronic License System (ELS) vendor, or at the DNR License Center, at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 19. Successful applicants will be notified in early September.

There is no fee to apply, although successful applicants will have to purchase the appropriate deer-hunting license prior to their hunt. The youth individual firearms and youth individual archery license which costs $14, are available to residents age 12 to 17.

"Thanks to expanding opportunities, there are hunts for young people of all skill levels and interests his year," said Ryan Bronson, youth hunting recruitment and retention coordinator. "These hunts are also a good opportunity for young people and their mentors to explore different types of hunting."

There will be four archery and four firearms special youth hunts in October. Eligible youth may apply for one archery hunt and one firearms hunt. Youth age 12 to 15 are eligible for the firearms hunts, and youth ages 12 to 17 are eligible for the archery hunts. Youth who applied in 2004 will have preference. There is a mandatory orientation session for each hunt. Hunters must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or an adult authorized by the parent. All youth hunters must possess a valid Firearms Safety Certificate.

The archery hunts will be as follows: Camp Ripley, Oct. 8-9, 150 permits; Lake Alexander TNC Preserve in Morrison County, Oct. 8-9, 20 permits; Arden Hills Army Training Site A, Oct. 20-21; Arden Hills Army Training Site B, Oct. 22-23.

The firearms hunts will be as follows: Whitewater Wildlife Management Area Sanctuary, Oct. 20-23, 50 permits (participants may hunt by archery or firearms); Lake Bemidji State Park, Oct. 22-23, 25 permits; St. Croix State Park, Oct. 29-30, 100 permits; Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Oct. 22-23, 20 permits.

All of the hunts have a bag limit of one deer of either sex, with the exception of Lake Bemidji State Park, which has a bag limit of five antlerless-only deer. There is no party hunting, so individual youth must tag their own deer. Youth may purchase and use bonus permits for antlerless deer. Deer harvested during the special youth hunt count against the yearly state bag limit of five deer.

For information about the 2005 special youth deer hunts, visit: www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Apply now for prairie chicken, fall turkey hunts

Hunters who wish to apply for one of 100 permits for the 2005 Minnesota prairie chicken season or for one of 4,410 permits for the fall turkey hunt must do by July 29. Applications are available at more than 1,800 Electronic Licensing System (ELS) terminals, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

PRAIRIE CHICKEN SEASON

The five-day prairie chicken season, which will begin on Oct. 22, is open to Minnesota residents only. Hunters will be charged a $4 application fee and may apply individually or in groups up to four. Prairie chicken licenses cost $20.

The hunt will be held in seven prairie chicken quota areas in west-central Minnesota between Crookston in the north and Breckenridge in the south. Up to 20 percent of the permits in each area will be issued to landowners or tenants of 40 acres or more of prairie or grassland property within the permit area for which they applied.

The season bag limit is two prairie chickens per hunter. This year, licensed prairie chicken hunters will also be allowed to take sharp-tailed grouse while legally hunting prairie chickens. Sharptails and prairie chickens are similar looking species and the general closure on taking sharp-tailed grouse by small game hunters in this area is to protect prairie chickens. Licensed prairie chicken hunters who wish to take sharptails must meet all regulations and licensing requirements for taking sharp-tailed grouse.

Minnesota's prairie chicken population now stands at more than 3,000 breeding birds in the spring and more than double that number in the fall. Prairie restoration and protection programs have helped stabilize the bird's population in recent years. The restoration of a regulated prairie chicken hunting season has helped build awareness and support for protecting and enhancing prairie and grassland habitats, according to the DNR.

FALL TURKEY SEASON

Applications for this year's fall turkey hunt are also being accepted at ELS vendors across Minnesota. Fall turkey hunters may apply for one of 4,410 permits to hunt in one of 24 permit areas from Oct. 12-16 or Oct. 19-23.

The application fee is $3. The license costs $18 for residents and $73 for nonresidents. A $5 stamp validation is also required for turkey hunters 18 years of age or older.

The deadline for applications for both the prairie chicken and fall turkey hunts is July 29.

Application worksheets and maps of permit areas for both hunts are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Successful applicants will be notified by mail and must purchase their permit at an ELS vendor.