I heard there is a pretty large Cormorant population going up on Mille Lacs.
Does the DNR believe killing the Cormorants on Leech led to the Walleye resurgence there?
Just curious. I had heard that after they blasted them on Leech the fishing got much better. What I haven’t heard is how does the DNR view it.
Also does anyone view the Cormorants on Mille Lacs as being a potental problem?
Opinions??????
The cormerants around mille lacs are no where near as many as leech had… If they do get that populated, blast em….
where do I sign up to shoot them damn things? I HATE them.
The population on pool 2 seems to be growing to. Would think on the river that the shad would be the bait of choice. They are easy to get on the surface and diving even a foot into the river and you can not see.
Shooting the fish ducks isnt the only reason for the comeback of the walleye population on Leech, alot has to do with the fact that they were stocking 10 million walleye a year there for at least a couple of years. I think they are still stocking quite a few, but I dont remember the numbers.
Walleyebry
From 2005 DNR LINK<<
Field Notes: Cormorant Conflicts
Double-crested cormorants are becoming a casualty of their own success. Nationwide, the birds have grown to an estimated population of 2 million. While this number is likely only a fraction of the historical North American population, it is big enough to cause competition between some anglers and cormorants, which can consume up to a pound of fish per day.
In May agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture began culling cormorants on Leech Lake, one of the state’s most popular walleye fisheries. The action came after an environmental assessment on the impact of cormorant control. Federal sharpshooters removed 2,200 birds during the first month of the operation.
The move reflects a nationwide trend to decrease protection on the once uncommon bird, which includes Minnesota in its natural range. Only three nesting colonies were documented in Minnesota in 1925, when the species was extensively hunted as a nuisance because of its perceived impact on local fisheries. Last summer a cooperative study by the University of Minnesota and DNR Nongame Wildlife Program found 38 active nesting colonies in Minnesota and estimated a statewide population of about 16,000 nesting pairs.
The largest colony in the state, Leech Lake in northern Cass County, had more than 2,500 nesting pairs in 2004. Biologists with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe counted just 73 cormorant nests on the lake in 1998, when the breeding colony was first established. The explosion in cormorant numbers has caused anglers and resort owners on Leech Lake to blame the birds for the lake’s declining yellow perch and walleye fisheries.
With escalation of conflict between birds and people and increasing biological evidence that the Leech Lake fisheries were declining, the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services program teamed up to examine the potential environmental impacts of cormorant control.
A 1972 amendment to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act entrusted the USFWS with protecting cormorants from the open season predator control that had decimated their numbers in the early part of the century.
As cormorant populations rebounded and human-wildlife conflicts mounted, the USFWS in 2003 granted the USDA Wildlife Services program, 24 states, and federally recognized tribes, including Minnesota and the Leech Lake Band, the power to control local cormorant populations when such agencies could document harm to other natural resources. As part of the step-down in federal protection, agencies that take actions to control cormorants are required to assess the potential impacts of control methods and to report population reductions annually to the USFWS.
“There is fairly compelling evidence that the cormorants on Leech Lake are responsible for the decline in walleye and perch numbers,” said Henry Drewes, DNR regional fisheries manager. DNR data shows small walleye and mid-sized perch numbers have dramatically declined in the lake’s main basin, where most cormorant foraging occurs. Meanwhile, walleye and perch numbers are normal in the lake’s western bays, where cormorants are rarely seen. “Reducing the size of the cormorant colony is critical to our four-part plan to improve the Leech Lake sport fishery. We are also protecting walleye brood stock through reduced bag limits and size restrictions, stocking marked fry for research purposes, and working to preserve important habitat in the Leech Lake watershed.”
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has primary jurisdiction over the Leech Lake cormorant colony because it owns Little Pelican Island, where the birds nest. The site is also home to a long-standing colony of common terns, a state- and tribally listed threatened species.
Tribal biologist Steve Mortensen has monitored the tern colony since 1992 (“Uncommon Terns of Leech Lake,” Nov.-Dec. 1993). In recent years he has watched the burgeoning cormorant population edge ring-billed gull nests closer to tern nests, causing terns to abandon their nests.
Some scientists recommended doing diet studies before attempting to control the birds. But according to Larry Jacobson, a third-generation owner of Leech Lake’s Hiawatha Beach Resort, local businesses could not afford to wait for more research. “If we don’t remove cormorants, more resorts are going to be out of business. It’s as simple as that,” Jacobson said. “We don’t have to bring the number [of cormorants] to zero, but these birds have to be kept in balance–like anything else in nature.”
Some scientists, such as University of Minnesota waterbird researcher Francesca Cuthbert, have disagreed with the level of cormorant control work. Major bird organizations, such as Minnesota Audubon and the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, have also expressed serious concerns. “Today it’s cormorants; tomorrow it’s probably going to be white pelicans,” said Cuthbert, who notes that the USDA Wildlife Services program is conducting preliminary research on pelican control.
The DNR and Leech Lake Band are collaborating on an intensive study that examines cormorant feeding habits. This work, coupled with continued fisheries population monitoring, will help define the number of nesting pairs the lake can maintain and still have a productive sport fishery. The research, as well as the cormorant management program, will likely continue for two or more years.
Erika R.L. Rivers, DNR information officer
I say we blast a few fishermen too.
Never let nature get in the way of man.
YEAR- SPECIES- SIZE- EACH- POUNDS
2010 – Walleye – fry – 22,501,356 – 176.5
2009 Walleye fry 22,669,368 187.2
2008 Walleye fry 22,166,808 184.6
2007 Walleye fry 7,523,670 56.6
2006 Walleye fry 22,032,452 217.3
Walleye 206,084 130.6
2005 Walleye fry 7,562,115 55.1
2004 Zero
Walleye: Since the Large Lake Program began in 1983, walleye gillnet catch rates have ranged from 4.6 fish/net (1993) to 13.4 fish/net (1988). The 2010 catch of walleye per experimental gillnet set was 7.86 fish/net and remains above the 1983-2010 average of 7.6 fish/net. The improvements in the walleye population can be largely attributed to above-average year classes of walleye produced during 2005-2008. Walleye sampled in experimental gillnets ranged in length from 6 to 25 inches. Observed median lengths of the 2009, 2008, and 2007 year classes were approximately 10, 13, and 16 inches TL, respectively.
Statistics from the 2010 creel survey described another good walleye angling season on Leech Lake. Walleye were caught at a rate of 0.222 fish/hour and harvested at a rate of 0.091 fish/hour across all anglers. Anglers specifically targeting walleye caught fish at a rate of 0.645 walleye/hour and harvested fish at a rate of 0.197 walleye/hour. These statistics, in particular the targeting catch and harvest rates, are comparable to estimates collected during the 1990’s.
Were those young of the year walleye fry?
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Were those young of the year walleye fry?
Cormorant crops.
pug when will you be fun? 
I got my coyote this year, but had to travel to ND to get it. Came out of the median of I-94 and got it with the left front tire followed by the left rear tire…. Who is covering the bounty fee?
Huh?…Cormorants eat bass too?….
Annihilate them.
For the first time I’ve seen large concentations of “Cormies” here on Rainy Lake as well. Making it worse this spring they were gathered up with Pelicans in shallow water devouring fish. Was a sight to see 
DNR better head this off. It would be nice to see a proactive move here. Have Shotgun……..Will Travel!! Heck can’t be any worse tasting than duck 
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For the first time I’ve seen large concentations of “Cormies” here on Rainy Lake as well. Making it worse this spring they were gathered up with Pelicans in shallow water devouring fish. Was a sight to see
To bad they don’t taste like walleye. I thought you are what you eat.
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From 2005 DNR LINK<<
Field Notes: Cormorant Conflicts
Double-crested cormorants are becoming a casualty of their own success. Nationwide, the birds have grown to an estimated population of 2 million. While this number is likely only a fraction of the historical North American population, it is big enough to cause competition between some anglers and cormorants, which can consume up to a pound of fish per day.
In May agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture began culling cormorants on Leech Lake, one of the state’s most popular walleye fisheries. The action came after an environmental assessment on the impact of cormorant control. Federal sharpshooters removed 2,200 birds during the first month of the operation.
The move reflects a nationwide trend to decrease protection on the once uncommon bird, which includes Minnesota in its natural range. Only three nesting colonies were documented in Minnesota in 1925, when the species was extensively hunted as a nuisance because of its perceived impact on local fisheries. Last summer a cooperative study by the University of Minnesota and DNR Nongame Wildlife Program found 38 active nesting colonies in Minnesota and estimated a statewide population of about 16,000 nesting pairs.
The largest colony in the state, Leech Lake in northern Cass County, had more than 2,500 nesting pairs in 2004. Biologists with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe counted just 73 cormorant nests on the lake in 1998, when the breeding colony was first established. The explosion in cormorant numbers has caused anglers and resort owners on Leech Lake to blame the birds for the lake’s declining yellow perch and walleye fisheries.
With escalation of conflict between birds and people and increasing biological evidence that the Leech Lake fisheries were declining, the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services program teamed up to examine the potential environmental impacts of cormorant control.
A 1972 amendment to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act entrusted the USFWS with protecting cormorants from the open season predator control that had decimated their numbers in the early part of the century.
As cormorant populations rebounded and human-wildlife conflicts mounted, the USFWS in 2003 granted the USDA Wildlife Services program, 24 states, and federally recognized tribes, including Minnesota and the Leech Lake Band, the power to control local cormorant populations when such agencies could document harm to other natural resources. As part of the step-down in federal protection, agencies that take actions to control cormorants are required to assess the potential impacts of control methods and to report population reductions annually to the USFWS.
“There is fairly compelling evidence that the cormorants on Leech Lake are responsible for the decline in walleye and perch numbers,” said Henry Drewes, DNR regional fisheries manager. DNR data shows small walleye and mid-sized perch numbers have dramatically declined in the lake’s main basin, where most cormorant foraging occurs. Meanwhile, walleye and perch numbers are normal in the lake’s western bays, where cormorants are rarely seen. “Reducing the size of the cormorant colony is critical to our four-part plan to improve the Leech Lake sport fishery. We are also protecting walleye brood stock through reduced bag limits and size restrictions, stocking marked fry for research purposes, and working to preserve important habitat in the Leech Lake watershed.”
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has primary jurisdiction over the Leech Lake cormorant colony because it owns Little Pelican Island, where the birds nest. The site is also home to a long-standing colony of common terns, a state- and tribally listed threatened species.
Tribal biologist Steve Mortensen has monitored the tern colony since 1992 (“Uncommon Terns of Leech Lake,” Nov.-Dec. 1993). In recent years he has watched the burgeoning cormorant population edge ring-billed gull nests closer to tern nests, causing terns to abandon their nests.
Some scientists recommended doing diet studies before attempting to control the birds. But according to Larry Jacobson, a third-generation owner of Leech Lake’s Hiawatha Beach Resort, local businesses could not afford to wait for more research. “If we don’t remove cormorants, more resorts are going to be out of business. It’s as simple as that,” Jacobson said. “We don’t have to bring the number [of cormorants] to zero, but these birds have to be kept in balance–like anything else in nature.”
Some scientists, such as University of Minnesota waterbird researcher Francesca Cuthbert, have disagreed with the level of cormorant control work. Major bird organizations, such as Minnesota Audubon and the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, have also expressed serious concerns. “Today it’s cormorants; tomorrow it’s probably going to be white pelicans,” said Cuthbert, who notes that the USDA Wildlife Services program is conducting preliminary research on pelican control.
The DNR and Leech Lake Band are collaborating on an intensive study that examines cormorant feeding habits. This work, coupled with continued fisheries population monitoring, will help define the number of nesting pairs the lake can maintain and still have a productive sport fishery. The research, as well as the cormorant management program, will likely continue for two or more years.
Erika R.L. Rivers, DNR information officer
Anything newer then 2005 from the DNR? I know the adminastration has changed since then. Has their thinking changed also?
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Huh?…Cormorants eat bass too?….
Annihilate them.
Wonder what a Cormorant cost per bird. Now that I know this I have a few lakes I would like to stock with them. 
UH? I am G+ decircling you.
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UH? I am G+ decircling you.
Thats just rude!
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Anything newer then 2005 from the DNR?
Not sure if there is anything newer or not but, personally, I find it a bit absurd to blame the commorants for the leech lake decline in Walleye.
I’ll hunt em though if given the chance if that helps~ 
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Anything newer then 2005 from the DNR?
Not sure if there is anything newer or not but, personally, I find it a bit absurd to blame the commorants for the leech lake decline in Walleye.
I’ll hunt em though if given the chance if that helps~
Coincidence maybe? Something caused the Walleye to collapse for a period of time. Unless you just believe it was a nature cycle.
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I say bounty on cormies, comies and coyotes!
