News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public comments on special fishing regulations sought statewide (August 26, 2008)
Special and experimental fishing regulations for walleye, bass, crappie, sunfish, northern pike and lake sturgeon will be the subject of nine public meetings that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct across the state in the coming weeks.
The DNR will use Input gathered at these meetings to help determine whether to extend, modify or drop two existing experimental regulations and move forward with nine proposals for new special regulations. Also, the department will review a proposal to modify the existing angling season and minimum length requirement for lake sturgeon on Lake St. Croix and the St. Croix River in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
“Fisheries managers welcome the opportunity to hear opinions from anglers,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing regulations are meeting angler expectations.”
Special and experimental regulations are intended to produce a quality fish population that can sustain increasing angling pressure and improved angler efficiency. During the past 20 years, fisheries managers have monitored a variety of regulations across Minnesota. Lakes with special or experimental regulations are regularly evaluated to determine the effectiveness of special regulations. Currently, there are special or experimental regulations in effect on about 7 percent of Minnesota’s fishable lakes.
“Much has been learned from our efforts to improve fish populations with length and bag limits,” Stevens said. “If successful, special or experimental regulations can be replicated on similar waters where fisheries managers and anglers agree they would help improve or maintain quality fishing.”
Lakes with proposed new special regulations or regulations that will be evaluated this year were posted at public access points this spring. Public notices for each meeting will be published in local newspapers. For more information about a specific meeting, contact your local DNR fisheries office.
Written or verbal comments will be accepted at local fisheries offices up to 10 days following a local meeting. Telephone numbers and addresses of local fisheries offices can be found on pages 74-75 of the 2008 Fishing Regulations booklet, or online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/contact/locator.html
Those unable to attend a local meeting may attend an open house from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, in St. Paul. Staff will be available to take comments on any proposal.
Comments also may be submitted via e-mail until Monday, Oct. 6, to [email protected] or by calling (651) 259-5239.
The open houses are scheduled for:
Anoka County/Coon Lake: New regulation proposal for walleye. Oct. 14, 7-8 p.m., Coon Lake Beach Community Center, 182 Forest Road, East Bethel
Anoka, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright counties/Mississippi River: Review existing regulation for smallmouth bass and proposal to extend regulation. Two meetings: Sept. 13, 3-5 p.m., Council Room, City Offices, 605 County Road 75, Clearwater. Sept. 18, 7-9 p.m., City Office Work Session Room, 2015 1st Ave. N., Anoka
Cass County/Inguadona and Rice lakes: New regulation proposal for sunfish and crappie. Sept 18, 6-8 p.m., Longville Elementary School gymnasium, Longville
Hubbard County/Belle Taine, Shallow, and Deer lakes: New regulation proposal for bass. Sept 10, 7-9 p.m., Northwoods Bank community meeting room, 1200 E. First St., Park Rapids
Otter Tail County/Clitherall Lake: Review existing regulations for smallmouth bass. Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m., Battle Lake Public School cafeteria, 402 Summit St. W., Battle Lake
Stearns County/Pearl Lake: New regulation proposal for walleye and northern pike. Sept. 9, 7-9 p.m., Holy Cross Catholic School, 10672 County Road 8, Kimball
Washington and Chisago counties/St. Croix River and Lake St. Croix: New regulation proposal for lake sturgeon. Oct. 22, 7-8 p.m., Room 100 A & B, Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St., Stillwater
Wright County/Sylvia and West Sylvia lakes: New regulation proposal for sunfish, crappie, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike. Sept. 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Southside Town Hall, 8209 County Road 3 NW, Annandale.