DNR Announces Walleye Regulation Changes for Some Itasca County Lakes
(2004-12-06)
DNR News – December 6, 2004 Contact: Chris Kavanaugh, Grand Rapids Area
Fisheries 218-327-4430
DNR Announces Walleye Regulation Changes for Some Itasca County Lakes
The Grand Rapids Area Fisheries office announced today the decision to
implement walleye harvest regulations on seven lakes throughout Itasca
County. “Public support for the 17 to 26 inch protected slot on Swan,
Splithand, Trout (near Coleraine), Moose (near Deer River), Round (near
Squaw Lake), Deer/Battle/Pickerel (near Effie), and Island (near Northome)
was very good so we decided to implement the regulation beginning on May 14,
2005”, said Chris Kavanaugh, Area Fisheries Supervisor. “For Sand, Bowstring
and Jessie there was a lack of support so the regulation will not be
implemented at this time.”
These proposals were part of a statewide initiative to maintain and improve
recreational fisheries using a “tool-box” of simplified regulation options.
The decision to implement or drop the proposals was based on comments
received between May and early October, and two public meetings held in
September. Signs were posted at access points and at resorts informing
anglers of the proposals and requesting comments. “We asked anglers what
they thought about the proposals,” said Kavanaugh, “and 528 people responded
with calls, letters, or e-mails. Additionally, 67 people came to the public
meetings and made comments.”
The comments represent a diverse group of individual anglers. For most lakes
anglers supported the regulation because they have seen the benefits at
Winnibigoshish and other regulated waters and they felt we needed to do
something to conserve or improve these fisheries. Comments in opposition
were generally related to the feeling that this proposal was too
restrictive, catered to some other group of anglers, or they felt it wasn’t
necessary.
Signs will be posted at the accesses on lakes reminding anglers of the
change. “We will step up our monitoring efforts on those lakes to keep track
of changes in the fish population in order to assess the effectiveness of
the regulation” said Kavanaugh. Sand, Bowstring, and Jessie will also be
monitored regularly to see if any changes are noted there as well.
For more information on the regulation changes please feel free to contact
the Grand Rapids Area Fisheries Office at 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids,
MN 55744, (218) 327-4430 or e-mail
chris.kavanaugh@dnr.state.mn.us.
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