OutdoorMN News - DNR seeks comment on Tower area lake management plans

[Rick]

Anglers and others interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources strategies for managing Tower area lakes and streams are invited to ask questions and submit comments on lake management plans through Monday, April 1.

Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the fishery and identify specific management activities planned for that lake in the next five to 20 years. The plans include background on the water body including water chemistry, temperature, habitat quality and species present, and are important in understanding the potential of a fishery.

“Our management plans are the basis of how we make fishery decisions for individual lakes and streams,” said Edie Evarts, area fisheries supervisor. “Public comment is important as goals are created or revised in a plan. It is important in complex management where we have special regulations, but can also be incorporated into a simple plan for a small lake by adding information not collected by survey crews. The call for comments also gives the public an opportunity to see the latest plans for area lakes and streams.”

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

St. Louis County lakes:

• Bear Island.
• Coe.
• Deep – increase in walleye stocking frequency.
• Johnson – change to walleye fry stocking instead of fingerlings.
• Little Armstrong (Camp)
• Miner’s Pit.

Lake County lakes:

• Birch (Ontario border)
• Ella Hall – initial management plan.
• Fall.
• Kekekabic.
• Knife.
• Lake Four.
• Lake Three.
• Snowbank.

People can review current plans for lakes as well as recent fish survey information at the DNR’s Tower fisheries office, 650 Highway 169 in Tower. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To request a draft copy of any lake management plan listed above email [email protected] or call 218-300-7802.

Questions or comments about the plans may be sent by email to Tower area fisheries supervisor, Edie Evarts, at [email protected]. Suggestions for management of other lakes and streams in the Tower area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are reviewed.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.