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Minnesota Ducks Unlimited Volunteers Tour Smith Lake Enhancement Project And Learn About Benefits

HOWARD LAKE, MINN. - Volunteers with the Heart of the Lakes Ducks Unlimited (DU) chapter from Annandale/Maple Lake recently toured a new wetland enhancement project at Smith Lake and were excited to learn that the poor wetland conditions in the lake will soon change.

"I can't wait to come back to see the re-growth of the bulrush and submerged aquatic plants that will make this a better wetland for the ducks," said Ben Wandmacher, area DU chairman.

Smith Lake is a 330-acre lake in Wright County located north of Highway 12 and west of Howard Lake, Minn. With an average depth of four feet and a maximum depth of only six feet, the lake is considered a shallow lake, not capable of supporting a quality fishery. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has labeled Smith Lake a "designated wildlife lake," one of only 44 such lakes in the state, which allows them to actively manage its water levels to improve habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

In recent years, carp and other undesirable fish have degraded Smith Lake creating the need for an enhancement project.

The enhancement project will begin in October and construction crews will install more than 1,000 feet of 24-inch pipe and a variable crest water control structure on the outlet of the lake. These structures will allow Minnesota DNR wildlife managers to temporarily lower lake water levels to winterkill undesirable fish, such as carp. This process will consolidate bottom sediments and restore aquatic vegetation in the lake's basin. This temporary drawdown condition may last two years in order to rejuvenate the lake.

This is a partnership project with wetland engineering assistance provided by DU, state funding recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and management of the lake conducted by the DNR.

Temporarily lowering water levels in Smith Lake will not only help clear the wetland of undesirable fish through natural winterkill, but it will also promote the germination and growth of the aquatic plants and invertebrates favored by ducks and other wildlife. The removal of fish and return of aquatic plants and invertebrates to the basin will improve water quality as well, which will benefit downstream water resources.

"Just as fire naturally rejuvenates prairie habitat for upland wildlife, so do temporary draw-downs in shallow lakes for wetland wildlife," said Josh Kavanagh, DU biologist for central Minnesota. "Draw-downs simulate natural droughts, which provide critical variation in water levels that drive productivity in wetlands. Without periodic droughts, wetlands are simply not as productive for wildlife."

The project is part of DU's Living Lakes conservation initiative and the Minnesota DNR's Duck Recovery Plan. These cooperative efforts call for the enhancement, restoration and protection of shallow lakes and large marshes for both waterfowl migration and brood-rearing habitat.

The Heart of The Lakes DU chapter will have its next conservation fundraising event on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at the American Legion in Maple Lake, Minn. For tickets contact Devin Davidson, 320-274-5614 or via email at Davidsondu1987@hotmail.com.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

DNR schedules October meetings to discuss Lake Winnibigoshish walleye regulation

Anglers who fish for walleye on Lake Winnibigoshish (Winnie) and connected waters will have a chance to discuss the experimental fishing regulation with DNR staff at open-house style public meetings in October.

The first meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bug-O-Nay-Gee-Shig School on Highway 2 between Cass Lake and Bena. The second meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center (MIFC) Training Room, 402 SE 11th Street, Grand Rapids.

Both meetings will begin with a short presentation describing the changes in the walleye fishery since the DNR implemented the current protected slot limit of 17-to 26-inches that has been in place since 2000. The presentation will also include several regulation options being considered. DNR fisheries staff will answer questions and take comments about whether to continue or modify the regulation.

For those unable to attend a local meeting, there will also be an open-house from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. Staff will be available there to take comments on the regulation.

Those unable to attend these meetings may submit comments directly to the DNR Area Fisheries Office, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 or by e-mail to chris.kavanaugh@state.mn.us. Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 22.

Reviews of existing or newly proposed regulations on 12 bodies of water to help manage sunfish, northern pike, walleye or brook trout populations will be the subject of 10 public meetings scheduled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The goal of experimental regulations on individual waters is 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.

“Much has been learned from our efforts to improve fish populations with length and bag limits,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “If experimental regulations are successful, regulations can be replicated on similar waters where fisheries managers and anglers agree they would help improve or maintain quality fishing.”

Experimental regulations are in effect for a specific period of time, typically 10 years. Before the regulation ends, fish managers must evaluate the regulation and gather input from public meetings to help determine whether to extend, modify or drop the existing experimental regulations.

“Fisheries managers welcome the opportunity to hear opinions from anglers,” Stevens said. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing regulations are meeting angler expectations.”

Waters 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 a local DNR Fisheries office.

Written or verbal comments also 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 page 78 of the 2010 Fishing Regulations or online at mndnr.gov/contact/locator.html.

For those unable to attend a local meeting, there will be an open house at the St. Paul DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, on from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Staff will be available to take comments on any proposal.

Comments may also be submitted until Monday, Oct. 11, by e-mail to al.stevens@state.mn.us or by calling 651-259-5239.