Minnesota DNR Seeking Comments On Duluth Area Fisheries Management Plans
The Minnesota Department of Natural resources is reaching out to Duluth area anglers and others to get their comments on fisheries management plans.
The DNR is working through fisheries management plans for several bodies of water in Carlton and St. Louis counties. They use comments and suggestions from the public as they finalize fisheries management plans that identify specific management activities planned for these lakes over the next five to 20 years.
Fisheries management plans will be reviewed for the following waters in these counties:
- Clearwater Lake – revised plan to increase trout stocking rate and split stocking between spring and fall seasons.
- Little River – initial management plan including a proposal to introduce brook trout into the river.
- South Branch Whiteface River (also known as Hornby Junction Creek) – initial management plan including a proposal to introduce brook trout to specific reaches of the river.
- Talmadge River – initial management plan including a proposal to introduce brook trout to specific reaches of the river and extend trout designation to include headwater reaches of the stream.
The DNR says the plans include a variety of fisheries information, including summaries and evaluation of past management activities and regulations and background information such as water chemistry and water temperature, species presence, stocking, and historical catch rates from previous fisheries surveys.
Furthermore, the plans may also identify biological and social factors that may limit a fishery’s potential and seek to address limiting factors by prescribing science-based management tools when biologically, fiscally, and socially appropriate.
All public input is due by Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The DNR notes that comments and suggestions from the public are essential in identifying angler values and social considerations to include in plans.
Anyone can request information and share thoughts about fisheries management by emailing the Duluth area fisheries office at duluth.fisheries@state.mn.us, by phone at 218-302-3264, or by U.S. mail at Duluth Area Fisheries, 5351 North Shore Drive, Duluth, MN 55804.
Information about all Duluth area lakes is also available on the DNR LakeFinder.
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