PAGE: LOCAL SPORTS
Outdoors Report - Sept. 11
By (September 11, 2009)
Enforcement Roundup
Last week Mike Gruhlke, Minnesota DNR conservation officer in Jackson, worked with another conservation officer concerning a notice about an upcoming ATV ride day to be held in Jackson. Gruhlke worked a special boat and water detail on Round Lake in Jackson County over the weekend. He also worked dove and Canada goose hunters in Jackson County as well as the Talcot Wildlife Management area. He responded to two complaints and took appropriate enforcement action on both. One was a suspected over limit of doves and the other was someone camping on a PA/WMA. Gruhlke noted that dove season had a good turnout of participants as well as the early goose season. Numerous doves observed in the bag and a few geese too. A few walleye being caught on Round Lake as well.
Public invited to comment on special fishing regulations
Experimental fishing regulations for bass, northern pike, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, and walleye will be the subject of 10 public meetings that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding across the state in the coming weeks.
Experimental regulations are in effect for a specific period of time, typically 10 years. Before the regulations expire, fisheries managers must evaluate the results 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,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing regulations are meeting angler expectations.”
The goal of experimental regulations 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.
“We have learned a great deal from our efforts to improve fish populations with length and bag limits,” Stevens said. “If experimental regulations are successful in one area, then they may be replicated on similar waters.”
The DNR waters evaluation list was 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 your local DNR Fisheries office.
For those unable to attend a local meeting, there will be an open house at the DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Staff will be available to take comments on any proposal. Comments may also be submitted until Monday, Oct. 5, by e-mail to al.stevens@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling 651-259-5239.
Written or verbal comments will also 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 75 of the 2009 Fishing Regulations or online.
The open houses are scheduled for:
Beltrami County - Pimushe Lake (review existing regulation for sunfish): 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at Northwest Technical College, 905 Grant Ave. S.E., Bemidji
Chisago County - Green Lake (review existing regulation for crappie): 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Chisago City Hall
Crow Wing County - East Rabbit and Big Rabbit lakes (review existing regulation for northern pike): 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the DNR building, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd
Hubbard County - Little Mantrap (review existing regulation for largemouth bass): 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Northwoods Community Bank, 1200 East 1st St., Park Rapids
Itasca County - Lake Winnibigoshish (review existing regulation for walleye), Bass and Grave lakes (review existing regulations for sunfish): Date and place to be announced
Olmsted County - Bear Creek Reservoir (review an existing regulation for bass and sunfish and a new proposal for panfish and northern pike), Rochester-area ponds and reservoirs (new proposal for panfish, bass, and northern pike affecting nine water bodies): 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the community room at People’s Cooperative Services, 3935 U.S. Highway 14 East, Rochester
Otter Tail County - Little McDonald Lake (review existing regulation for walleye) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Perham Area Community Center
Wabasha and Winona counties - Mississippi River pools 5, 5a, and 8 (review existing regulation for sunfish) 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Winona Elks Lodge, 4540 Service Drive, Winona; 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 21, at the LaCresent American Legion Post 595, 509 N. Chestnut St, LaCresent; 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Wabasha High School, 2113 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha
New grant program could trigger hundreds of conservation projects
With more than $3.7 million in funds available, a new grant program in Minnesota could trigger hundreds of conservation projects throughout the state, according to Leslie Tannahill, grant program manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“This new matching grant program has tremendous potential to kick-start numerous projects that have been languishing due to challenging economic conditions,” Tannahill said. “We’re convinced it is going to be extremely popular.”
Dubbed the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, it is funded as a direct result of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment passed by Minnesota voters during the November 2008 election. The amendment increased the sales tax by three-eighths of one percent; 33 percent of the increase is to be used to fund fish and wildlife habitat projects.
Government entities and non-profit organizations at the local, state and federal level are eligible to apply. A 10 percent match in non-state funds or in-kind services is required. The minimum award is $5,000 with the maximum capped at $400,000. A total of $3,760,000 is available.
Tannahill said projects must restore, protect or enhance prairies, wetlands, forests, or habitat for fish or wildlife in Minnesota. The CPL grant program was recommended to the Legislature by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, a 12-member body of 10 citizens and two legislators charged with recommending which project proposals should be funded from the estimated $90 million expected to be raised the first year.
“We are already hearing from groups that are anxious to apply,” Tannahill noted. “We know there are numerous organizations and government entities out there that have identified important, on-the-ground projects that they’ve been itching to tackle. Now they have the opportunity they’ve been waiting for.”
Complete details of the program can be found on the Request for Proposal document now posted on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/lessard-sams.html. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Last week Mike Gruhlke, Minnesota DNR conservation officer in Jackson, worked with another conservation officer concerning a notice about an upcoming ATV ride day to be held in Jackson. Gruhlke worked a special boat and water detail on Round Lake in Jackson County over the weekend. He also worked dove and Canada goose hunters in Jackson County as well as the Talcot Wildlife Management area. He responded to two complaints and took appropriate enforcement action on both. One was a suspected over limit of doves and the other was someone camping on a PA/WMA. Gruhlke noted that dove season had a good turnout of participants as well as the early goose season. Numerous doves observed in the bag and a few geese too. A few walleye being caught on Round Lake as well.
Public invited to comment on special fishing regulations
Experimental fishing regulations for bass, northern pike, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, and walleye will be the subject of 10 public meetings that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding across the state in the coming weeks.
Experimental regulations are in effect for a specific period of time, typically 10 years. Before the regulations expire, fisheries managers must evaluate the results 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,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing regulations are meeting angler expectations.”
The goal of experimental regulations 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.
“We have learned a great deal from our efforts to improve fish populations with length and bag limits,” Stevens said. “If experimental regulations are successful in one area, then they may be replicated on similar waters.”
The DNR waters evaluation list was 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 your local DNR Fisheries office.
For those unable to attend a local meeting, there will be an open house at the DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Staff will be available to take comments on any proposal. Comments may also be submitted until Monday, Oct. 5, by e-mail to al.stevens@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling 651-259-5239.
Written or verbal comments will also 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 75 of the 2009 Fishing Regulations or online.
The open houses are scheduled for:
Beltrami County - Pimushe Lake (review existing regulation for sunfish): 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at Northwest Technical College, 905 Grant Ave. S.E., Bemidji
Chisago County - Green Lake (review existing regulation for crappie): 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Chisago City Hall
Crow Wing County - East Rabbit and Big Rabbit lakes (review existing regulation for northern pike): 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the DNR building, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd
Hubbard County - Little Mantrap (review existing regulation for largemouth bass): 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Northwoods Community Bank, 1200 East 1st St., Park Rapids
Itasca County - Lake Winnibigoshish (review existing regulation for walleye), Bass and Grave lakes (review existing regulations for sunfish): Date and place to be announced
Olmsted County - Bear Creek Reservoir (review an existing regulation for bass and sunfish and a new proposal for panfish and northern pike), Rochester-area ponds and reservoirs (new proposal for panfish, bass, and northern pike affecting nine water bodies): 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the community room at People’s Cooperative Services, 3935 U.S. Highway 14 East, Rochester
Otter Tail County - Little McDonald Lake (review existing regulation for walleye) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Perham Area Community Center
Wabasha and Winona counties - Mississippi River pools 5, 5a, and 8 (review existing regulation for sunfish) 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Winona Elks Lodge, 4540 Service Drive, Winona; 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 21, at the LaCresent American Legion Post 595, 509 N. Chestnut St, LaCresent; 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Wabasha High School, 2113 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha
New grant program could trigger hundreds of conservation projects
With more than $3.7 million in funds available, a new grant program in Minnesota could trigger hundreds of conservation projects throughout the state, according to Leslie Tannahill, grant program manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“This new matching grant program has tremendous potential to kick-start numerous projects that have been languishing due to challenging economic conditions,” Tannahill said. “We’re convinced it is going to be extremely popular.”
Dubbed the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program, it is funded as a direct result of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment passed by Minnesota voters during the November 2008 election. The amendment increased the sales tax by three-eighths of one percent; 33 percent of the increase is to be used to fund fish and wildlife habitat projects.
Government entities and non-profit organizations at the local, state and federal level are eligible to apply. A 10 percent match in non-state funds or in-kind services is required. The minimum award is $5,000 with the maximum capped at $400,000. A total of $3,760,000 is available.
Tannahill said projects must restore, protect or enhance prairies, wetlands, forests, or habitat for fish or wildlife in Minnesota. The CPL grant program was recommended to the Legislature by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, a 12-member body of 10 citizens and two legislators charged with recommending which project proposals should be funded from the estimated $90 million expected to be raised the first year.
“We are already hearing from groups that are anxious to apply,” Tannahill noted. “We know there are numerous organizations and government entities out there that have identified important, on-the-ground projects that they’ve been itching to tackle. Now they have the opportunity they’ve been waiting for.”
Complete details of the program can be found on the Request for Proposal document now posted on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/lessard-sams.html. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 3.