July 21, 2005
Press Release

Minnesota DNR - News Releases

Industry, five states to study walleye survival at tournaments

Walleye caught at Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tournaments this summer will not only thrill anglers, they?ll help researchers study survival rates at catch-and-release tournaments.

FLW Outdoors, a major corporate tournament sponsor, will join the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and four Midwest states in the two-year study, which aims to minimize the effect of tournaments on walleye populations.

"Walleye angling has changed since we last looked at tournament survival," said Jack Wingate, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife research manager. "This is an excellent example of tournament sponsors working with natural resource professionals for the good of the resource."

The $253,000 study, set to begin this summer, will be implemented by the University of Minnesota and Mississippi State University. Other states involved are Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Walleye will be studied at 12 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League Tournaments in the cooperating states. Tournaments will be held in accordance with existing state laws.

The effects of tournaments on walleye populations will be analyzed through computer models using data collected from the 12 live release tournaments. A survey and focus group meetings of anglers, biologists and the industry will be used to determine socially acceptable levels of survival in tournament-caught walleye.

"Through this important cooperative venture, we hope to improve the walleye resource for everyone,' said Wingate. "The results of this study will help determine how future tournaments are permitted."

A final study report is expected in December 2007.

Festival of Fish set for Aug. 6 on the Mississippi River

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host the Festival of Fish, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., along the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling State Park. The park is located off Post Road near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Park permit fees $7 daily or $25 annually apply.

"The Festival of Fish is a celebration of the role fish play in the history, foods, traditions, art, recreation and social customs of our many cultures," said Roland Sigurdson, DNR MinnAqua specialist.

"Generations and cultures will gather together at the Festival of Fish to share skills, tell stories about fish and fishing, and learn more about today's fisheries management practices."

Participants will have the opportunity to fly a fish kite, cast a fly rod, build a fish fishing net and learn how the DNR manages fish populations or how many kinds of fish live in Minnesota waters.

This year's event will include:

- demonstrations of traditional and modern fishing techniques
- displays of fishing tackle from yesterday and today
- storytellers relating fishing adventures and folklore from around the world
- art and craft displays and demonstrations that reflect the importance of fish in life and legend
- fishing skills activity area and equipment demonstrations
- fish filleting and tasting area
- kids fun area, with fish printing, wheel of fish, puppet show, and dance performances
- live fish and seining demonstrations.

Surplus bear licenses on sale Aug. 1

Minnesota bear hunters who were unsuccessful in this year?s lottery may purchase a surplus license starting at noon on Monday, Aug. 1.

Surplus licenses are available in six permit areas where the number of available bear licenses exceeded the number of applicants. For the 2005 season, 15,950 licenses were offered in 11 permit areas. A total of 16,510 applications were received.

Surplus licenses are available on a first-come, first-served basis at any of more than 1,700 statewide Electronic License System (ELS) vendors or at the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. Beginning at noon on Monday, Aug. 8, any eligible person will be able to purchase a remaining bear permit.

The bear season will run Sept. 1 to Oct. 16. Licenses for the no-quota area (outside of the 11 lottery permit areas) can be purchased directly at any ELS vendor beginning Aug. 1.

This year, hunters will be able to purchase permits in both quota and no-quota areas. However, they?ll be restricted to hunting only those areas where their permit is valid.

A total of 2,021 surplus licenses will be available for the bear season. In area 31, three licenses are available, while 85 are available in permit area 22, 186 in area 13, 451 in area 24, 573 in area 45, and 724 in area 51.

A map showing the location of these bear permit areas can be found on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Bear licenses cost $39 for residents and $196 for non residents.

DNR and national outdoor education program partner to offer new outdoor recreation event in August

Minnesota’s first Step Outside Week is approaching. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Step Outside, a national outdoor education program, will provide marketing, advertising and inclusion on an online web events calendar for groups who hold an outdoor education event from Aug. 6-14.

"This is a great opportunity to share in the excitement of outdoor recreation," said Jenifer Matthees, MinnAqua coordinator. "We strongly encourage any and all groups with interest in traditional outdoor activities to get involved."

The DNR and Step Outside are looking for partners who promote traditional outdoor activities like target shooting, archery, hunting and fishing.

Events do not need to be sponsored by the DNR to be included in Step Outside and can expand beyond these target activities to other outdoor recreation. Groups must include at least one of the following in their Step Outside event: fishing, hunting, archery or shooting sports.

To learn more, visit www.stepoutside.org. People can also contact Jenifer Matthees at (651) 297-4919 or by e-mail Jenifer.Matthees@dnr.state.mn.us.