MN DNR News Release
April 11, 2013
The public is invited to attend an open house at the Waterville Area Fisheries office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
“This is a busy time of year for us and a good opportunity for the public to learn first-hand about some of the things we do,” explained Scott Mackenthun, assistant area Fisheries supervisor. “A lot of people are unaware of the northern pike stocking program that is unique to south-central Minnesota and this is a chance for them to see it in person.”
Mackenthun said the goal of the office is to improve fishing on 78 lakes and 107 rivers and streams across Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Mower, Rice, Steele and Waseca counties. They do this by gathering information, improving and protecting habitat, conducting research and stocking fish.
The Fisheries team rears, harvests and distributes walleye, channel catfish, muskellunge and northern pike from the hatchery and rearing ponds located in the Waterville area. Each year, the team produces 45 million walleye fry and 2 million northern pike fry for stocking in lakes locally and throughout the state.
“We anticipate northern pike hatching to be in full operation by the open house and the public can learn how and why we stock pike in southern Minnesota,” Mackenthun said.
Fisheries staff will be on hand giving demonstrations and answering questions. There is no cost to attend. The Fisheries office is located at 50317 Fish Hatchery Road, just west of the city of Waterville on Ridge Road/Le Sueur County Road 14. If coming from the east, take Paquin Street west through the city of Waterville. If coming from the west, use Le Sueur County Road 14 or get off on Le Sueur County Road 6 from Minnesota State Highway 60. Look for the DNR sign and ponds lined by cedar trees.
For more information on the Waterville Area Fisheries Office, visit http://www.mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries/waterville/index.html or call the office during regular business hours at 507-362-4223.
