Grand Marais area fisheries announces survey work

Fisheries staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grand Marais area office will conduct surveys and assessments on several area lakes and streams during the next few months. The work begins June 2 and runs through October 20.

Final reports on 2014 surveys will be available in the spring of 2015, but preliminary results for many lakes should be available in the fall of 2014.  

Fisheries surveys and assessments are done on a regular basis to monitor changes in fish populations and to determine if management strategies have been effective.

A full list of surveys and assessments can be found on the WTIP website.

Waters scheduled for surveys or assessments (by week) include:
•    June 2 - survey Sundling Creek, Pine Lake (near Kemo; splake special assessment), Tomash Lake
•    June 9 - survey Sundling Creek, Rudy Lake, Ruby Lake, Logger Lake, Woodpecker Lake
•    June 16 - Caribou Lake (near Lutsen; smallmouth bass assessment), Little Portage Lake, Pine Lake (near Kemo), Sled Lake
•    June 23 - Greenwood Lake (smallmouth bass assessment), Clearwater Lake (smallmouth bass assessment), Pit Lake, Stony Lake
•    June 30 - Woods Creek (habitat survey), Mark Creek (habitat survey), Swamp River (beaver dam inventory)
•    July 7 - Otter Lake, Crescent Lake, Bouder Lake
•    July 14 - Crescent Lake, Binagami Lake, Crooked Lake
•    July 21 - Caribou Lake (near Lutsen), Clearwater Lake, Devil Track Lake (walleye reproduction check), Mud Creek
•    July 28 - Clearwater Lake, Sundling Creek, Sawbill Creek, Swanson Creek
•    August 4 - Sundling Creek, Irish creek, Junco Creek, Saganaga Lake, Flute Reed River, Kadunce Creek
•    August 11 - Onion River, Cascade River, Kimball Creek, Devil Track River, Saganaga Lake
•    August 18 - Saganaga Lake, Swan Lake
•    August 25 - Saganaga Lake, Swamp River, Loft Lake (habitat survey)
•    September 1 - Prune Lake, Echo Lake
•    September 8 - Moose lake, Loft Lake (fish population assessment)
•    September 15 - Kraut Lake, Trip Lake, Squash Lake
•    September 22 - Chester Lake, Trout Lake (yellow perch assessment), Unnamed Lake
•    September 29 - Thrush Lake (brook trout special assessment)
•    October 6 - North Shady Lake
•    October 13 - Greenwood Lake (lake trout special assessment)
•    October 20 - Trout Lake (lake trout special assessment), Thrush Lake

In addition, several lakes may be added as time and funding allow.  Those lakes include North Cone, Crocodile, Horseshoe, Hub, Long, Powell, Stump, Vernon, Fern, West Fern, North Fowl, South Fowl, Boys, Swamper, Gillis, and Tuscarora.

Survey plans are tentative. Lakes and streams may be added or dropped and timing may change. Questions about these surveys can be addressed to the DNR’s Grand Marais Area Fisheries at 1356 Highway 61 E., Grand Marais, MN 55604. Questions also can be submitted by calling 218-387-3056 or e-mailing [email protected].

Final lake survey results will be available online at www.mndnr.gov/lakefind or from the Grand Marais area fisheries office.  Contact the Grand Marais area fisheries office for stream survey results or preliminary lake survey results.

Survey frequency varies on each lake and stream based on ongoing management evaluations and angler use. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Lakes stocked regularly are also sampled more frequently to assess stocking success.

Survey data collected is reviewed and incorporated into individual fisheries lake and stream management plans.  The plans identify goals for key species in the lake and outline specific management activities.  They are typically revised every six to ten years.  All current lake and stream management plans for the Grand Marais area are available at the area office, and copies can be provided upon request.  Public comments and suggestions for management of these waters are welcomed at any time.