DNR Seeks Comments On Grand Marais Area Lake and Stream Management Plans

Outdoor enthusiasts and the general public interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Grand Marais area lakes and streams have until Jan. 3 to ask questions or submit comments. Let your voice be heard.

“Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor. “The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream in the next 5 to 20 years. They include background on the lake including water chemistry, temperature, and species present which is important in understanding the potential of a fishery.”

Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. In the Grand Marais area, plans for the following lakes and streams will be reviewed.

Lakes

Aspen - evaluate current walleye stocking program.
Ball Club - determine whether renewed walleye stocking is needed.
Barker - determine whether renewed walleye stocking is needed.
Birch - evaluate current brook and rainbow trout stocking programs.
Cascade - future survey needs, monitoring walleye and northern pike populations.
Cherokee - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
Daniels - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
Devil Track - evaluate current walleye stocking program.
Duncan - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
East Bearskin - evaluate current walleye stocking program, determine whether lake trout stocking should continue.
Flour - evaluate current walleye stocking program, determine whether lake trout stocking should continue.
Homer - consider need for renewed walleye stocking.
Hungry Jack - evaluate current walleye stocking program.
Little Saganaga - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
Lizz - discontinue brook trout stocking due to an influx of northern pike.
Marsh - consider management as a panfish lake.
Mauser - schedule a survey to determine suitability for stream trout management.
Mavis - evaluate current brook trout stocking program.
Meditation - evaluate current brook trout stocking program.
Missing Link - evaluate current brook trout stocking program.
Mush - schedule a survey to determine suitability for stream trout management.
Olga - evaluate current stream trout stocking program.
Pancore - evaluate current splake stocking program.
Round - evaluate current walleye stocking program.
Shoe - evaluate current brook trout and splake stocking programs.
Squint - determine whether more active walleye management is needed.
Talus - evaluate current rainbow trout stocking program.
Two Island - future survey needs, monitoring walleye and northern pike populations, and evaluating the current smallmouth bass regulation.
Wench - evaluate current brook trout stocking program.
West Pike - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
White Pine - determine whether walleye stocking is needed.

In addition, plans for several BWCAW lakes in the area, including Zephyr, Kingfisher, Red Rock, Ray, Owl, Frost, Gordon, Gaskin, Bull, South, Lux, Carl, Swamp, and Little Caribou will be updated. These plans will be revised solely to establish survey schedules on those lakes for the next few years.

Streams

Gauthier Creek - managed as a steelhead spawning and nursery stream, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring.
Monker Creek - managed as a brook trout stream, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring, based on results of a stream survey completed in 2013.
Poplar River - managed as a brook trout stream, and as a steelhead spawning and nursery stream. Plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring, including more intensive monitoring of the lower two miles of the stream.
Timber Creek - managed as a brook trout stream, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring. Options for habitat improvement will be considered.

Current plans for lakes and streams in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information are available for review at the DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries office, 1356 E. Highway 61, Grand Marais, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For information, call or email Steve Persons, 218-387-3056 or steve.persons@state.mn.us.

Comments and suggestions on other streams and lakes in the area are welcomed at any time, and will be considered when those plans are due for review.