August 11, 2005
Press Release

Minnesota DNR - News Releases

DNR to hold public meetings on future of experimental northern pike regulation for Lake of the Woods, Rainy River

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold three public open houses to solicit public comments on the existing northern pike experimental fishing regulation for Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River from Wheelers Point upstream to the Boise Cascade Dam in International Falls. This regulation also covers the Warroad River, Baudette River and Winter Road River.

The DNR will consider public comments in determining whether to extend, remove, modify or make permanent the experimental northern pike regulations. Currently, all northern pike from 30 through 40 inches must be immediately returned to the water; the possession limit is three, with only one over 40 inches.

This regulation was implemented in 1996 following local concern by northern pike anglers about potential loss of trophy-sized pike. The main objective was to maintain the high-quality northern pike population in light of projected increases in fishing pressure.

A Baudette open house will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Sept. 28 in the auditorium of Lake of the Woods High School. A Roseau open house will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., on Sept. 29 in the Study Hall Room of Roseau High School. In addition to local meetings, the public can also provide input during a statewide open house at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul, on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

People unable to attend a public input meeting may submit written comments to Mike Larson, DNR Area Fisheries Office, 204 Main Street E, Baudette, MN 56623.

For more information, call the Baudette DNR Office at (218) 634-2522 or e-mail mike.larson@dnr.state.mn.us.

All comments must be received no later than Oct. 10.

2006 Minnesota DNR waterfowl stamp contests entries due

Contest entries for the 2006 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) waterfowl stamp will be accepted beginning Aug. 22. Design entries must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, at the DNR Wildlife Division office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Eligible entries this year will be limited to images of the mallard. Judging for the contest will be on Thursday, Sept. 8. Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to the development, restoration, maintenance and preservation of waterfowl habitat in Minnesota.

The stamp art contest is open only to Minnesota residents and offers no prizes. Winning artists, however, usually issue limited edition prints of the artwork and retain the proceeds. A reproduction rights agreement, granting the DNR the right to use the design for the stamp image and other purposes, must be signed and submitted with the design to be considered eligible.

Stamp contest information is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296 6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367)

DNR proposes special walleye regulations for several lakes in Lake and St. Louis Counties

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on special regulations for walleye on the Farm, Garden, South Farm, and White Iron Chain of Lakes and on Lake Vermilion.

The special regulation proposal for the Farm, Garden, South Farm, and White Iron Chain of Lakes is 17-26 inch protected slot for walleye. The goal of this regulation is to increase walleye numbers on Garden Lake Reservoir (Farm, Garden, and South Farm Lakes), maintain current walleye numbers on White Iron Lake and to increase the numbers of medium and larger size walleye in all of the lakes in this chain.

The DNR preferred special regulation proposal for Lake Vermilion is a 17-26 inch protected slot for walleye with a four fish bag limit. The goal of this regulation is to reduce the walleye harvest on Lake Vermilion down to or below the safe harvest level. Based on creel survey information the walleye harvest in 2002 and 2003 averaged 88,200 pounds, well above the annual safe harvest level of 65,000 pounds. A 17-26 inch protected would have reduced the walleye harvest in 2002 and 2003 to a level close to the safe harvest level. The addition of the four walleye bag limit would add another layer of protection to the walleye population and help keep harvest at a safe level.

Open house meetings for public input on the proposed special walleye regulations for all of the above lakes are scheduled for:

Sept. 19 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fall Lake Town Hall, east of Ely

Sept. 21 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Conference room at DNR office in Tower

Sept. 22 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul

Comments will be taken at any of the open house meetings listed above, or can be mailed to: Tower Area Fisheries, 650 Hwy 169, Tower, MN 55790; or email: joe.geis@dnr.state.mn.us . Comments and questions can also be submitted by phone: 218-753-2580 ext. 222. The comment period ends October 3, 2005.