As the new year begins, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun work on several new plans for fishery management programs across the state.
Recently announced were parts of new management plans for both trout and muskellunge (muskie) species. These actions are designed to make better use of available management funds and better align management activities with angler interests.
As fishing interest continues to rise, the DNR has begun looking for ways to expand fishing opportunities and increase the chances for angler success.
To facilitate this, they are considering five new water systems to be included in their statewide muskie stocking program. New water data, as well as an increase in angler pursuit of muskies, fueled the efforts for this addition.
The proposed waters for muskie management are Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties; Upper South Long Lake and Lower South Long Lake in Crow Wing County; Tetonka Lake in Le Sueur County; and the Sauk River Chain in Stearns County.
All of these systems have met the DNR's biological standards for consideration and have proven to be likely candidates for stocking success.
The muskie is among the state's largest fish, capable of reaching over 50 inches in length. With easier access to fishable waters and better quality fish being taken, muskie angling has seen steady growth in recent years.
The proposal now must go through a research process to determine the likelihood of success and whether or not the measures would be cost effective.
The trout stocking program has also been under review by the DNR and new actions will be taken to make make this process more efficient. This will include relocating some of the hatchery operations as well as changes to the stocking program in individual lakes.
“We are reducing operating costs where they are high, and stocking efforts where the return on investment is low,” said Dirk Peterson, acting DNR fisheries chief. “We are doing this in a way that will minimize any effects on the majority of anglers.”
Hatchery operation changes will improve the success of fish raising and will save an expected $70 thousand immediately in electricity and food expenses. The changes will also likely further reduce costs by $200 thousand annually.
Several lakes and streams will see changes in the stocking habits, most designed to make better use of trout fingerling and fry.
Lakes where success has been low, or fishing pressure has decreased, will see fewer fish being stocked into them. Also, areas that have had successful natural reproduction will also be receiving fewer stocked fish as they are no longer needed for a steady population.
The measures dealing with muskie and trout populations are the beginning of a statewide review of regulations and practices by the DNR. By simplifying the process and making activities more efficient, the DNR will be saving money in certain areas and be able to relocate it to more productive locations.
Updates will be posted regarding all of the adjustments on the DNR web site, and will be kept up to date as new information becomes available.
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