Anglers fishing Upper Red Lake this winter will be able to keep three walleyes, of which only one may be longer than 17 inches, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced last week.
The regulations, which become effective Dec. 1, are the same regulations that were in place last winter.
“These regulations were very well-accepted by anglers and meet our harvest plan objectives by spreading harvest over a wide range of sizes and removing some of the surplus spawning stock,” said Gary Barnard, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor with the DNR.
In fall assessment netting by the DNR and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, walleye abundance was excellent, with large numbers of fish from 12 to 20 inches.
Furbearer registration hours change
Five furbearer registration stations in northern Minnesota will have new hours this year. Trappers who register furs at the Effie, Finland, Grand Marais, Northome and Orr locations can do so without an appointment from 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 2. Trappers may register at these locations at another time by calling in advance for an appointment.
Fisher and marten trappers are reminded that the statewide deadline for fisher and marten fur registration is Dec. 2. Late registrations are not allowed by law. Trappers who need to register fisher or marten may do so by appointment prior to Dec. 2.
The remaining 30 furbearer registration stations throughout the state will operate under normal hours from noon to 7 p.m. on Dec. 2.
A second walk-in registration station will be held from 3-6 p.m. Jan. 10 at all locations (except Effie, Finland, Grand Marais and Two Harbors) for river otter and bobcat, which have later season-ending dates.
Trappers are encouraged to review current fur registration procedures, locations and hours shown on pages 55-56 of the 2016 Hunting & Trapping Handbook, and contact their local DNR wildlife office with any questions.
DNR seeks input on Big Rice Lake
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Tower will hold a public meeting to discuss wild rice management on Big Rice Lake near Virginia. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Sandy Town Hall, 7580 Hill Road, 10 miles north of Virginia.
DNR wildlife managers will review water level management on Big Rice Lake over the past 30 years. Some concerns have been raised about recent water levels on the lake and the decline of wild rice there. The U.S. Forest Service, 1854 Treaty Authority and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa also will participate.
Volunteer recognized by trail group
Larry Scanlon of Duluth has been named volunteer of the year by the Superior Hiking Trail Association.
Scanlon has dedicated more than 350 hours this year to the Superior Hiking Trail, said Gayle Coyer, executive director of the association. Scanlon has helped with every type of trail work from building new trail to clearing fallen trees from the major windstorm in Duluth in July, Coyer said.
To become a trail volunteer, email Jo Swanson, SHTA’s volunteer coordinator, at
volunteer@shta.org
.
Applications open for parks, trails group
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other agencies are seeking applicants to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee.
The purpose of the committee is to promote and coordinate implementation of the 25 Year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan. Funding recommendations for individual projects are not a part of this committee’s work.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 14. Interested individuals may complete the application form online at legacy.leg.mn/ptlac/member-application.
