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Leech Lake Fishing and Fisheries Updates Page. Items of special concern for Leech Lake Anglers and Businesses. |
2005-2010 Leech Lake Action Plan Experimental Walleye Slot Limit Regulation Proposal |
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What is being proposed? Possession limit of four (4) walleye and all walleye from 18 inches to 28 inches must be immediately returned to the water. Only one (1) walleye over 28 inches is allowed in a possession limit. Why is this regulation being proposed? The Leech Lake walleye population is well below the long-term goal with regard to overall abundance and size distribution. Subsequently, walleye fishing on Leech Lake has been difficult during the last three years. In combination with predation by a rapidly expanding double-crested cormorant population since 2000, high angler harvest in the late 1990s likely contributed to a decline in the Leech Lake walleye population. Walleye recruitment has been poor since 1997. Given poor recruitment over the past seven years, DNR biologists believe increased protection of the brood stock is warranted until additional year classes are mature (see graphs). A variety of regulation options were considered but deemed either too restrictive or not restrictive enough. Any experimental regulation for Leech Lake must protect the current brood stock for the long-term health of the walleye fishery. How will this regulation be evaluated? If enacted, the proposed regulation would be implemented on the walleye opener in 2005 and evaluated for a period of five years. Annual walleye sampling, which is part of the large lake monitoring program on Leech Lake, will allow continual evaluation of changes in the walleye population, specifically walleye abundance and changes in walleye biology that indicate population health. Angler surveys are scheduled for 2005 and 2010. *Recruitment is a term used to describe the point at which an age class of fish has matured to the point of being able to reproduce. |
How is this regulation part of an overall DNR strategy for Leech Lake? This regulation proposal is one component of a multi-faceted approach to improving the walleye fishery on Leech Lake over the next five years. The proposed changes will protect walleye brood stock, which is essential to the long-term health of the Leech Lake walleye fishery. Other important elements of the plan include a stepped-up cormorant control program, walleye stocking and an increased focus on habitat protection. What are the DNR’s walleye management goals for Leech Lake?
For more information or to submit public comments, please contact the Walker Area Fisheries Office; 07316 State Highway 371 NW, Walker MN, 56484; (218) 547-1683; harlan.fierstine@dnr.state.mn.us |
2005-2010 Leech Lake Action Plan Stocking Marked Walleye Fry 12/16/04 |
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What is being proposed? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be stocking Leech Lake with 5.0 million marked walleye fry for three consecutive years beginning in the spring of 2005. The fish will be marked with oxytetracycline (OTC), which is an antibiotic that leaves an identifiable mark on fish bones. By marking fish, the DNR can identify them as a stocked fish when they are captured later. Why is this being proposed? The objective of this stocking proposal is to estimate the natural fry production in Leech Lake and determine the optimal level of mature female spawners needed to provide consistent natural reproduction. Recent recruitment of walleye in the lake has been poor. How will the stocking effort be evaluated? Walleye fingerlings will be sampled using shoreline seining, trawling and electrofishing for three consecutive years beginning in the summer of 2005. These fish will be examined for the OTC mark. Once all samples are examined for marks, an estimate of natural walleye fry production will be made. How is stocking part of an overall DNR strategy for Leech Lake? This experimental stocking is one component of a multi-faceted approach to improving the walleye sport fishery on Leech Lake over the next five years. The marked, stocked fish will help the DNR determine what the optimal level of walleye brood stock is for Leech Lake (as measured by mature female biomass) so future management objectives can target maintaining that level. Other important elements of the plan include a stepped-up cormorant control program, experimental angling regulations and an increased focus on habitat protection. |
What management concerns were addressed in the stocking plan? Source of walleye eggs. It is critical that any walleye stocking conducted on Leech Lake not jeopardize the genetic integrity of this fishery. Leech Lake walleye have evolved in this system over thousands of years. DNR fisheries staff has worked with the University of Minnesota to identify the best genetic match, with the lowest level of associated risk. The Boy River spawning run (Woman Lake) has been identified as the closest genetic match. Developing a robust research design for stocked fish. Fish population data suggest that the current level of brood stock is sufficient to naturally repopulate the lake. This stocking study will help determine the optimum number of mature female walleye needed to sustain the fishery. The regulation proposal also ensures that is the case for the coming years. From this study we hope to determine why young walleye are not being produced in the main lake in sufficient numbers, and to take corrective action once the reasons are identified. The current research design includes stocking marked walleye for three years and conducting mark-recapture studies over the course of the next five years to determine optimal female biomass for the lake. Opportunities to integrate the stocking evaluation with the cormorant diet study will also be explored. For more information or to submit public comments, please contact the Walker Area Fisheries Office 07316 State Highway 371 NW, Walker MN, 56484; (218) 547-1683; harlan.fierstine@dnr.state.mn.us |
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