DNR to hold public meeting seeking comments on change to trout regulations in Cook County lakes
Aug 28, 2017 10:09AM ● By Editor
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - August 24, 2017
(Photo from MN DNR)
During a series of public meetings, anglers and others can give their opinions about fishing regulations that are in place or are newly proposed on 32 lakes, the Department of Natural Resources said.
The DNR has scheduled 11 meetings across the state in coming weeks to review regulations that apply to individual waters, and the DNR also is accepting written and verbal public comments on the regulations before and 10 days after each meeting.
In the Cook County area, topics to be covered are a proposal to modify or drop special regulations on eight trout lakes in Cook County.
In Cook County (Grand Marais area fisheries): The DNR will review trout management and special regulations on Kraut, North Shady, Peanut, Squash, Thompson, Thrush, Tomato and Turnip lakes; and review smallmouth bass regulations on Flour, Hungry Jack and Two Island lakes.
The public meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, Cook County Community Center, 317 W. Fifth St., Grand Marais.
Call or write to local fisheries offices to comment about regulations proposals. Phone numbers of local fisheries offices can be found online at mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries, or on page 94 of the fishing regulations handbook. The offices will accept written or verbal comments up to 10 days following a local meeting.
The Grand Marais Area Fisheries office can be reached at:
1356 Highway 61 East
Grand Marais, MN 55604
218-387-6021
[email protected]
Special regulations work by either protecting existing quality fishing or improving waters with the potential for quality fishing. If special regulations don’t appear to be working or meeting management goals, DNR discusses options including removing or modifying the regulation.
Special or experimental regulations limit the length or number of fish anglers can keep, and are found in their own section of the 2017 Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook (pages 36 to 52).
While the DNR regularly reviews both special and experimental regulations, experimental regulations are in effect for a specific period of time, usually 10 to 15 years. Before experimental regulations end, fisheries managers evaluate them and gather input from public meetings to help determine whether they should be extended, modified or dropped.
Call or write to local fisheries offices to comment about regulations proposals. Phone numbers of local fisheries offices can be found online at mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries, or on page 94 of the fishing regulations handbook. The offices will accept written or verbal comments up to 10 days following a local meeting.
Anyone who cannot attend a local meeting can attend an open house about the regulation proposals that will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the DNR headquarters in St. Paul, 500 Lafayette Road. No formal presentations will be made at the open house.
Additionally, staff will be available to take comments on any proposal through Monday, Oct. 9. Comment by email to [email protected] or by calling him at 651-259-5239.
