MN DNR Seeks Input on Grand Marais Lakes & Streams Plans

GRAND MARAIS - Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources strategies for managing Grand Marais area lakes and streams have until Jan. 3 to ask questions or submit comments.
Management plans describe past, present and desired future conditions of the state's lakes and streams. The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream in the next 5 to 20 years.

"The plans include background on the lake including water chemistry, temperature, and species present which is important in understanding the potential of a fishery," said Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor.

Each 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:

• Boys – update plan after 2014 rehabilitation.
• Daniels - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
• Duncan - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.
• East Pipe – evaluate current walleye stocking program.
• East Pope – evaluate current walleye stocking program.
• Greenwood – consider lake trout and smallmouth bass management options.
• Homer - determine whether more active walleye management is needed.
• 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.
• Kinogami – determine whether more active walleye management is needed.
• North Shady – response to high yellow perch numbers, no trout, in this trophy trout lake.
• Sawbill – determine whether more active walleye management is needed.
• Trout – evaluate current rainbow trout stocking program.
• Tucker – determine whether more active walleye management is needed.
• Wench - evaluate current brook trout stocking program.
• West Pike - review status of lake trout population, establish plans for future surveys.

In addition, plans for several BWCAW lakes in the area, including Alpine, Rattle, Dunn, East Pike, Swamp, South, Cherokee, Frost and Romance will be updated. These plans will be revised solely to establish survey schedules on those lakes for the next few years.

Streams:

• Assinika Creek – a natural brook trout stream in some portions, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring.

• Mark Creek - managed as a brook trout stream, plan will focus on habitat protection, restoration, and monitoring. Options for habitat improvement will be considered.

• Mistletoe Creek - managed as a brook trout stream, survey completed and access acquired in 2014.

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, at 1356 E. Highway 61, Grand Marais, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call or email Persons at 218-387-3056 or steve.persons@state.mn.us.

Public comments on management of these waters are due by Jan. 16. 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.