DNR seeks comments on county lake and stream management plans
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Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources strategies for managing Cook County lakes and streams have until Dec. 31, to ask questions or submit comments.
“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 five to 20 years.”
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 management area, plans for nine lakes and nine streams will be reviewed.
Bench Lake is managed for brook trout. The review will consider possible reductions in stocking numbers or frequency. Leo Lake is managed for rainbow trout. The review will consider changes in the size or number stocked as well as the frequency of stocking. Pierz Lake is managed for splake and the review will consider the possible elimination of stocking due to the large numbers of smallmouth bass now in the lake.
Little Mayhew Lake is being considered for ways to limit its newly-established northern pike population in order to reduce their effect on the lake’s trout population. Moss Lake is managed for lake trout. The DNR is considering possible reduction or elimination of stocking due to good natural reproduction in the lake. Ram Lake is managed for lake trout and rainbow trout. The review considers eliminating lake trout stocking because of natural reproduction.
McFarland Lake is being managed for walleye. The DNR is reviewing population status and whether stocking or regulations might be needed. Poplar Lake is managed for walleye. The review will consider an increase in stocking and possible special regulations on that fishery. Tait Lake is also managed for walleye. DNR is considering revising their plan to include sampling required for a new statewide long term monitoring program.
In addition to the lakes listed above, there are several lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for which plans are being revised solely to update survey and assessment scheduling. Those lakes include Crooked, Davis, Gillis, Hub, Morris, Paulson, North and South Temperance.
Streams under review include eight for brook trout and one specifically for steelhead. Flute Reed River is the steelhead stream. The plan will focus on acquisition, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring.
Elbow, Fiddle and Woods creeks are managed for brook trout. The review plans to focus on habitat protection, restoration and monitoring. Irish Creek is managed for brook trout and the plan will focus on road crossing improvements, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring. Nestor Creek is managed for brook trout and the plan will focuses on riparian management.
Onion River is managed for brook trout and steelhead. The plan will emphasize habitat protection and monitoring. Stump Riveris managed for brook trout, but the plan will consider dropping the stream as a designated trout stream. Swamp River is managed for brook trout, but the plan will consider dropping the stream as a designated trout stream, or starting an intensive restoration effort.
People can review current plans for lakes and streams in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information at the DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries office, 1356 E Hwy 61 in Grand Marais. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call (218-387-3056) or e-mail Persons at [email protected].
Persons said comments and suggestions on other streams and lakes in the area are welcome at any time, and will be considered when those plans are due for review.
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