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| From the MN DNR-
Northern pike study on Mille Lacs continues
Anglers who catch one of more than 7,000 Mille Lacs Lake northern pike
marked with a numbered, plastic tag are asked to report their catch to
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The tags, which resemble a short length of coated electrical wire, are
anchored under the dorsal fin on northern pike as well as on walleye and
some muskie. The northern pike were tagged this spring by biologists
from the DNR, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and the
Fond du Lac Band of Resource Management Division.
"We need anglers' help in establishing how many northern pike are in
Mille Lacs, " said Rick Bruesewitz, DNR 1837 Treaty biologist. "From
there we can begin to clarify population trends and better manage the
fishery."
Additional northern pike will be sampled with gill nets that will be
set for very short lengths of time, which renders them nonlethal. Staff
from DNR or the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission will
check the net sets every one to two hours to reduce fish mortality.
"With such short set times and cooler water, we rarely have problems
with killing fish," Brusewitz said. "If that does occur, we'll shorten
the set time or use other means to collect the fish."
Anglers who plan to release a tagged fish should write down the tag
number without removing the tag. If a tagged fish is harvested, anglers
are asked to return the tag to the DNR.
Reports of tagged fish should include the following information:
- tag number and approximately where the fish was caught in the lake
- length of the fish, the date of the catch and if the fish was
harvested or released
- whether the fish was caught from a boat, a commercial launch, or from
shore
- the angler's name, address, telephone number and, if available,
e-mail address.
Anglers who report catching a tagged fish will receive information on
where and when the fish was tagged and whether the fish had been
previously caught and released.
Reports of tagged fish may be sent electronically to
[email protected] or by calling (218) 927-3751 (DNR Fisheries
- Aitkin), or by calling toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) or by
mailing to DNR Fisheries, PO Box 138 Aitkin, MN 56431 | |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | The DNR does a great job getting back to you on the information that they have about the fish you've caught. It can be some pretty interesting stuff. Help out and report any tagged fish you catch. It's quick and simple to do!
Aaron | |
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Attention Mille Lacs fishermen!!