DNR seeks comment on Tower area lake & stream management plans

(Released February 21, 2013)

Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Tower area lakes and streams have until March 25, 2013 to ask questions or submit comments.

“Our management plans are the basis of how we make fishery decisions for individual lakes and streams,” said Edie Evarts, Tower area fisheries supervisor. “The plans describe the history, present state, and desired future of the fish community. They include background on the lake including water chemistry, temperature, and species present which is important in understanding the potential of a fishery.”

“Public comment is important feedback as goals are created or revised in a plan. Information and insight provided by the public can supplement the data collected by survey crews,” added Evarts.

Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. In the Tower area, plans for the following lakes will be reviewed. These lakes are located in northeastern St. Louis County or northern Lake County.

Lakes:

• Armstrong.

• Birch (near Babbitt).

• Cedar (near Aurora).

• Cedar (near Winton).

• Ely.

• Embarrass.

• Fall.

• Farm.

• Found.

• Garden.

• Jewell (Glacier 3).

• Johnson.

• Little Sletten.

• Madden.

• Mashkenode (Four).

• Miner’s Pit.

• Mud (off the Mud Creek Road).

• North Twin.

• Parent.

• Pfeiffer.

• Pickerel (near Eagle’s Nest lakes).

• Shagawa.

• Six Mile.

• Skull.

• Sletten.

• South Farm.

• Stub.

• Thomas.

• Whitewater.

• Witness.

Streams:

• Grassy Creek.

• Angora Creek.

• Maki Creek.

• Section 30 Creek.

People can review management plans for lakes and streams and fish population assessment reports at the DNR Area Fisheries office, 650 Highway 169 in Tower. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call 218-753-2580 ext. 221 or e-mail edie.evarts@state.mn.us. To request a draft copy of any lake or stream management plan listed above e-mail dena.weber@state.mn.us

Public comments on lake and stream management plans will be taken through Friday, March 25, 2013. Suggestions for management of any of the other lakes and streams in the Tower area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are due for review.