NW REGION OUTLOOK FOR 2018 FISHING OPENER. April 17, 2018

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1 NW REGION OUTLOOK FOR 2018 FISHING OPENER April 17, 2018 Ice-out across Northwest Minnesota will be much later than normal this spring. The snowpack across much of the region is 6-12 inches with inches of solid ice below. As of this writing ice thickness on the Canadian border waters is 48 inches or more. The weather forecast through the latter half of April is for a return to more normal temperatures and normal precipitation patterns. With the opener falling on May 12 this year there is a strong probability that there will be ice on some of the larger lakes on the opener. Drought conditions during much of 2017 in northwest Minnesota resulted in low lake and river levels across the region heading into winter. There is not a lot of moisture in the snowpack despite its persistence so we do not anticipate a heavy runoff or abnormally high spring stream flows. Lake levels are not expected to rebound appreciably this spring. Water temperatures will be very cold for the opener. Fish spawning activity is expected to be behind normal. Traditional walleye opener lakes that tend to have earlier ice out dates with large expanses of shallow water and those with streams and rivers flowing through them will be the best bets for the opener. Anglers fishing lakes that are prone to winterkill on severe winters should check with local DNR Fisheries offices to make sure their lakes did not succumb to winterkill. Walleye populations in our natural walleye lakes and many of our stocked lakes have excellent abundance and fish of a variety of sizes. Various strong year-classes of walleye are common across most of our natural walleye lakes and stocking efforts have contributed to good success on others. Walleye from good year-classes produced from (14-18 inches) will comprise the bread and butter fish from most of our primary walleye lakes. There are also many lakes with walleye from the strong 2011 year class which will provide opportunities to catch quality sized walleye from inches. Walleye Anglers can expect excellent walleye fishing on our large walleye lakes, particularly on Leech, Upper Red, Lake of the Woods and Cass lakes. The Walleye population on Leech remains strong and anglers can expect abundant walleye from inches. Walleye numbers in Upper Red remain high. Multiple strong year-classes have produced many fish in the inch size range. Protected slot limits remain in effect on Leech, Upper Red, Lake of the Woods and several secondary basins in the Region. Walleye abundance remains strong on Cass Lake. Walleye and Sauger abundance in Lake of the Woods are well above average with excellent size distributions. The Northwest Region also boasts arguably the best trophy Northern Pike lakes in the State of Minnesota: Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake. While the opening weekend is not typically prime time for big pike, anglers should not rule out an encounter with one of these brutes. Anglers are reminded that special regulations are in place to protect large pike on both of these waters and about 50 other lakes in the region. 1

2 New statewide Northern Pike regulations will be in effect for all waters except the abovereferenced special regulation lakes. The new Northern Pike regulations are based on management Zones that have been tailored to the specific population characteristics of each zone. Much of Northwest Minnesota lies in the North-Central Zone which has the following regulations: Daily and possession limit of 10 pike Not more than 2 pike may be over 26 inches All pike from inches must be released immediately Each year, public accesses need a considerable amount of work to repair ice heave damage and to ensure accesses are in order for the opener. With late ice-out across the region our Parks and Trails staff will have limited time to fix-up the ramps and get the loading docks installed before the May 12 opener. Anglers are reminded to help prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting their boats for invasive plants and animal, draining all water from their bilges and livewells and remembering to pull their drain plug before traveling down the road. Here is a general opener forecast by management area, a few noteworthy lakes that could provide some exceptional fishing, and an overview of the status of the large walleye lakes. BAUDETTE Rainy River: Each spring, Walleye migrate from Lake of the Woods to the Rainy River to spawn. Many of those fish are still in the river when the Walleye season opens in May. This can lead to some great fishing opportunities for anglers. And, although hundreds of anglers flock to Lake of the Woods for the annual Walleye opener, not many people fish on the Rainy River at that time of the year. The Rainy River and its tributaries are also home to a high quality Northern Pike population. Northern Pike fishing can be very good in spring and early summer. Besides great fishing, the Rainy River corridor can also offer some protection from the cold winds that often occur during the early part of the Walleye season. There are several public boat ramps located along the Rainy River, and there is a public fishing pier located on Baudette Bay in the City of Baudette. Lake Bronson: Located in northwestern Minnesota, Lake Bronson is 335-acre reservoir on the South Branch of the Two Rivers. Lake Bronson is located entirely within Lake Bronson State Park and is the only fishing lake in Kittson County. Two fishing piers are available within the park along with a concrete landing on the northwest end of the lake and a canoe access on the upstream end of the lake. As Lake Bronson lies within a state park, vehicle permits are required and can be acquired at the front gate. Lake Bronson offers some great fishing opportunities for several different species. Good numbers of quality-sized Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch provide inhabit Lake Bronson. In addition, a low-density population of Largemouth Bass can be found in the lake. Largemouth Bass opens on May 12 as catch and release only, with the opportunity to keep bass starting May 26. 2

3 BEMIDJI General Outlook for Bemidji Area: Spring of 2018 is shaping up to be a later than usual spring. Exceptionally late ice out can delay walleye spawning, so some seasonal stream closures may be in place in the Bemidji Area. Late ice out can also delay spring maintenance work on boat landings subjected to winter ice damage. DNR Parks and Trails crews will be working to repair damaged boat ramps and installing launching docks ahead of the fishing opener rush. Lake Bemidji, Beltrami County (6500 acres): Lake Bemidji is a relatively large natural Walleye Lake located directly adjacent to the City of Bemidji. There are numerous boat landing options including City Parks, Township landings and a DNR administered landing on the Northwest end of the lake. Lake Bemidji is primarily managed for Walleye, but no supplemental stocking is required. The population is closely monitored with frequent Fisheries Surveys to monitor the mature adult spawning population and with annual assessments of walleye spawning success. The population is thriving with the most recent survey in 2017 measuring near 20 Walleye per gill net set. The dominant size group was inches with solid representation through the 20 inch group. Annual assessments for young-of-the-year Walleye and the age distribution from the gill-net sample show some contribution from every year-class with normal variability in abundance. Other important fish species that contribute to the Lake Bemidji Fishery are Northern Pike, Muskellunge and Yellow Perch. Lake Plantaganette, Hubbard County (2500 acres): Lake Plantaganette is another excellent destination Walleye lake in the Bemidji Fisheries management area. Two boat landing locations are available, with a Township landing on the North end and the primary DNR landing on the South end. Standard lake survey catch rates for Walleye are consistently high, with the most recent survey in 2017 resulting in 12.8 Walleye per gillnet set. Natural reproduction contributes to this population in non-stocked years, but age distribution shows improved contribution in alternate years from supplemental fry stocking. Like Lake Bemidji, Plantaganette is another one of the premier Walleye lakes in the Bemidji management area that has also been managed for Muskellunge since the 1980 s. The track record of successful management for these two species for nearly four decades should eliminate concerns about negative effects of Muskellunge on a Walleye fishery. Other species commonly sought are Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Northern Pike abundance is low, which results in fast growth and quality size pike. Plantaganette is also known for quality size Perch with individuals over 10 inches fairly common. DETROIT LAKES General Outlook for the Detroit Lakes Area: As of early April, things are shaping up for a late spring. Some concentration of the snow pack on area lakes has occurred but little actual melting. The snow cover and weather in the end of March and early April is critical in determining the amount of winterkill some of the shallower fishing lakes in the area might suffer. Those lakes that do suffer winterkill will be restocked but it takes several years for a good fishery to develop again. If a late spring does materialize, walleye fishing could prove to be challenging as the fish are still recovering from 3

4 spawning activities. Northern Pike should be active and feeding as they spawn earlier than walleyes. Spring fishing for black crappies is generally excellent and can be a great substitute for a slow walleye bite. Island Lake, Becker County (1,142 acres) is located in south central Becker County approximately twenty miles east of the city of Detroit Lakes. Island Lake has an exceptional walleye population for a lake of its size and is entirely supported by natural reproduction. The historic average walleye catch rate for Island Lake is nearly 17 fish/net, and this was the case during the most recent fisheries assessment in 2017 when 15.3 fish/net were caught. Anglers should find plenty of harvestable size fish in Island Lake as walleyes have historically averaged just under 15 inches in length. Walleyes near this size are usually immature and as such would not be subjected to the rigors of spawning and would likely be actively feeding and easier to catch in a late spring. Island Lake is also one of the few lakes in the Detroit Lakes Area that support Smallmouth Bass. While Largemouth Bass are also found in Island Lake, Smallmouth Bass are more abundant and generally of larger size. Lake Sarah (366 acres) located in south-central Polk County. The shallow nature and dark water make this lake a good candidate for early season walleye angling, particularly during a late spring year. Walleyes were introduced in Lake Sarah in 1974, and fry are currently stocked every other year. Natural reproduction of walleye has sporadically contributed to the fishery. In 2016, the relative abundance of walleye was extremely high (24.3 fish per net) and over twice the lake s historical average. The high abundance was the direct result of the very large 2012 year-class. These fish were four years old at the time of the survey and comprised 71% of all walleyes sampled. These fish averaged 16.3 inches in Growth data from Sarah Lake suggest these fish should be around 18 inches long during the 2018 fishing season. FERGUS FALLS General Outlook for Fergus Falls Area: As of early April, area lakes still have plenty of ice and extended forecasts are calling for below average temperatures. Unless weather conditions change, ice-out appears as if it is going to be late this year, especially on the large, deep lakes. Walleye spawning activities will occur later than normal and will likely occur during late April and into May. Anglers can expect to find Walleyes in spawn to post-spawn conditions by the May 12 th opener. Late spawning seasons generally make for slower Walleye angling on the opener. Northern Pike may be more active as they spawn earlier than Walleyes. Panfish opportunities may be a viable option if the Walleye and Northern Pike are not cooperating. Many area lakes presently support abundant populations of Bluegill and Black Crappie with good size structures. Generally speaking, anglers should expect good Walleye fishing on area lakes during the 2018 season as several strong natural year classes and supplemental stockings have established abundant Walleye populations. Big Pine Lake (4,730 acres) is located in northeastern Otter Tail County two miles east of Perham. DNR owned public accesses are located on the northwest, north, and southeast shorelines. Big Pine Lake is renowned as one of the best Walleye angling lakes in the county. The Walleye gill net catch rate during the 2017 standard fisheries survey 4

5 was 18.3 per net, which indicates that the Walleye population is very abundant. Walleye net catches have consistently exceeded long range management goals for this lake. The 2014 and 2015 year classes are strong and they composed a majority of the Walleye sample. Walleyes from these year classes ranged in length from 10.3 to 16.8 inches with an average length of 13.4 inches. Overall, Walleyes ranged in length from 8.1 to 27.0 inches with an average length of 13.5 inches. Anglers are reminded that an 18.0 to 26.0 inch protected slot limit is in effect for Walleyes on Big Pine Lake. Anglers are allowed to possess one Walleye over 26.0 inches in length. A moderate density Northern Pike population exists with a good average size. Pike ranged in length from 20.2 to 31.7 inches with an average length and weight of 24.9 inches and 3.5 pounds. Big McDonald Lake (935 acres) is located in north-central Otter Tail County nine miles west of Perham. A DNR owned concrete public access is located along the northwest shoreline of the lake. Big McDonald Lake is a good all-around fishing lake. Data from the 2017 standard fisheries survey indicate that many gamefish species are thriving in Big McDonald Lake. The Walleye catch rate was 9.1 per net, which exceeds the long range management goal for this lake. The 2014 year class is strong and correlates to a year of fingerling stocking. Walleyes from this year class ranged in length from 13.5 to 16.7 inches with an average length of 14.8 inches. Overall, Walleyes ranged in length from 11.4 to 24.2 with an average length of 16.8 inches. The Black Crappie and Bluegill populations are very abundant and possess excellent size structures. Black Crappies up to 13.9 inches in length were sampled and 79% of the sample measured 10.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills up to 9.4 inches were sampled and 41% of the sample measured 7.0 inches or greater in length. Big McDonald Lake also has an abundant Largemouth Bass population. Bass ranged in length from 3.0 to 17.6 inches with an average length of 11.6 inches. Franklin Lake (1,336 acres) is located in northwestern Otter Tail County ten miles northeast of Pelican Rapids. DNR owned public accesses are located on the north and east shorelines of the lake. Franklin Lake is a good all-around fishing lake. The Walleye catch rate during the 2016 fish population assessment was 8.3 per net, which exceeds the long range management goal for this lake. Age data indicate that the 2013 and 2014 year classes are very strong as they composed a majority of the Walleye sample. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.8 to 18.9 inches with a mean length of 13.3 inches. The Black Crappie and Bluegill populations are very abundant and possess excellent size structures. Black Crappie up to 13.9 inches were sampled and ninety-seven percent of the Black Crappie sample was 10.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegill up to 10.0 inches were sampled and thirty-nine percent of the Bluegill sample was 8.0 inches or greater in length. Anglers are reminded of the Black Crappie regulation on Franklin Lake: minimum size limit is 10 inches with a possession limit of five. GLENWOOD General outlook for Glenwood Area lakes: As of late March, there continues to be more than 30 inches of ice on the lakes. It is reasonable to project that ice cover will linger for at least two more weeks and thus water temperatures will be cold on the May 12 fishing opener. Shallower, productive prairie lakes in west-central Minnesota may be ice-free sooner and gamefishes, particularly Walleyes and crappie, may be more active at 5

6 time of the opener than those deep, clear lakes in which walleye spawning activities may still be underway or wrapping up. Based on 2017 survey information and size, Pelican Lake in Grant County and Lake Mary, Douglas County are 2018 fishing opener selections for the Glenwood Area. Other shallow lakes in Grant and Stevens counties merit consideration for fair to good Walleye and crappie fishing opportunities. Recommendation include Barrett and Pomme de Terre lakes in Grant County and Hattie, Long, Page, and Perkin lakes in Stevens County. Pelican Lake (3,761 acres) is a large, shallow, fertile lake located in northeast Grant County near Ashby. Maximum depth is 21 feet. Average depth is 10 feet. Due to its irregular shape, the lake has nearly 28 miles of shoreline. An improved public access is located on the northwest shore off State Highway 78. Walleyes are abundant. Gill net catches during the 2017 survey averaged 13.3 fish/net. The population sample included representatives of six age groups. An exceptionally strong year class established in Three-year-old captures averaged 14.5 inches. Most cohorts of this strong year class should exceed 16.0 inches early in Annual fall electrofishing surveys conducted to determine presence and abundance of young-ofyear Walleyes yielded exceptionally high catches of young Walleyes in 2015 and 2017, so fishing should remain good for a few years. Pelican Lake also holds good crappie fishery. Both Black and White Crappies occur in the lake. Total crappie catches were lower in 2017 with loss of an exceptionally strong year class that established in However, annual recruitment of young Black Crappies into the population was relatively good in 2012, 2014, and Five-year-old captures from the 2012 year class averaged 11.6 inches at capture. Three-year-olds from the 2014 year class averaged 8.0 inches during the 2017 survey and should be near 10.0 inches early in The largest crappie captured during the 2017 survey was a fast growing five-year-old fish measuring 13.5 inches. Bass anglers can take advantage of quality catch-and-release fishing experiences. Good numbers of 15.0 inch and larger bass were captured during the spring 2017 electrofishing survey. Length frequency of Largemouth Bass captures extended to 18.3 inches. Lake Mary (2,450 acres) is a popular fishing destination. The lake is located approximately four miles southwest of Alexandria off State Highway 27. It has a surface area of 2,450 acres. Maximum depth is 40.0 feet. The basin averages 17.0 feet in depth. Public access sites exist on north and south ends of the lake. The north access is shallow and it can be challenging to load boats particularly if a south wind is blowing. Caution is warranted when utilizing to south access in Little Mary due to boulders in the narrows leading into the main lake. A slow, no wake zone is in place to address this potential navigation hazard. A fisheries survey was completed in mid-august Walleyes continue to be abundant. Gill net catches averaged 13.3 Walleyes/net. Annual recruitment from natural reproduction and fry stockings was relatively good in 2014, 2015, and Average size of Walleye captures was 14.3 inches. Many of the four-year-old Walleyes from the 2014 year class will have grown to 17.0 inches in

7 Black Crappie are moderately abundant. Age distribution of crappie captures extended to age seven. Those older fish averaged 12.1 inches. Reproductive success and annual recruitment was relatively good in 2014 and 2015.Cohorts of the 2014 year class should average 10.0 inches in Lake Mary also supports fair fishing opportunities for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill Sunfish, and Northern Pike should Walleye fail to cooperate early in the fishing season. Anglers are reminded of Northern Pike harvest regulation changes and encouraged to take advantage of expanded harvest opportunities with the 2018 fishing opener. Many lakes in west-central Minnesota hold an over-abundance of small pike. Increasing harvest and reducing densities of 21.0-inch and smaller pike is projected to improve growth and average size of Northern Pike and increase survival and effectiveness of Walleye stockings. PARK RAPIDS General Outlook for Park Rapids Area: Ice out looks like it will happen in late April on most area lakes. Northern Pike spawning begins as the ice is going off, and Walleye spawning begins a week or more later. Fish will likely be in both pre and post spawn patterns depending on the lake on fishing opener. Good precipitation throughout the winter and early spring may result in water levels picking up on area lakes. Because of the longer winter, and ample snow some smaller or shallow lakes may experience partial or full winter kills this year. Check with the area fisheries office, or local bait shop for the condition of these lakes. A new state-wide Northern Pike regulation is taking effect this spring. There are three zones state wide, but the Park Rapids fishery area will follow one rule. Anglers here will be able to keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches, and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. This will affect all lakes that do not have special Northern Pike regulations already (see below). Anglers should remember Park Rapids area lakes with special or experimental regulations that differ from state-wide regulations. Please note specific regulations in the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations Booklet. - All Species: Lester and LaSalle - Bass: Little Mantrap and George. - Crappie: Big Mantrap and Spider - Northern Pike: Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Crow Wing; George; Big Mantrap (Mantrap) and Blueberry. - Walleye: Big Sand and Kabekona Anglers can also fish for bass statewide starting May 12, as long as they release all bass during the first two weeks (until May 25). 7

8 Kabekona Lake (2,433 acres) is located about three miles south of Laporte in northeastern Hubbard County. It has a maximum depth of 133 feet. A county owned access is located at the west end of the lake, off highway 64. Kabekona has had an experimental Walleye regulation since The regulation was intended to increase natural reproduction of Walleye. Evaluations indicate that it is accomplishing that, with more young of the year Walleye in fall sampling, and fewer stocked Walleye but record abundance. The regulation was relaxed in Currently, all Walleye between 20 and 26 inches must be immediately released. Anglers are allowed to harvest Walleye less than 20 inches and one over 26 inches in a possession limit of four. An abundance of Walleye in the protected size range should provide good catching, but there are plenty of fish in the 12 to 16 inch size range if anglers want a meal. Northern Pike have never been abundant in Kabekona, but they can reach good sizes. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappies, Bluegills and Pumpkinseed sunfish can also be found in this lake, but those species are not abundant. Fish Hook Lake (1,643 acres) Fish Hook Lake is located two miles north of Park Rapids. Fish Hook has a maximum depth of 76 feet. A county owned public access is located on the southwest shore of the lake off US Highway 71. There is an additional access on the Fishhook River in Heartland Park. Fish Hook Lake was sampled in Northern Pike numbers were high with an average size of 21.5 inches. Most fish were 18 to 24 inches, with the largest sampled at 37.5 inches. This may be an opportunity to take advantage of the new state wide Northern Pike regulation. Walleye numbers were also good and most are a great size for anglers of inches, with a number of smaller fish for the future. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are found in Fish Hook Lake. Largemouth Bass were sampled in higher numbers and from 6 to 19 inches. Black Crappie numbers were similar to past surveys, but most fish were small. Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds were sampled in higher numbers than recent years. The majority were inches, but some were sampled up to 9 inches. Curly leaf pondweed is an aquatic invasive species (AIS) that has been identified in Fish Hook Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Garfield Lake (960 acres) Garfield Lake is located in Laporte. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet. A city owned public access is located off of 1 st Street, on the point on the northeast side of Laporte. Garfield was last surveyed in 2015, and it appears to be a great lake to take advantage of the new Northern Pike regulation. The Northern Pike were abundant and had an average size of 20 inches and 1.6 pounds. This is a great opportunity to catch or harvest pike under 22 inches. Walleye are modestly abundant with the majority inches. There were also a number of smaller Walleyes from 6-11 inches for the future. 8

9 The southern part of the lake has most of the shallow water and may provide the best opportunities for bass and panfish. Largemouth Bass were abundant, with most fish 12 to 17 inches. Panfish were sampled in lower number, but had some great size for anglers with inch Black Crappies, and Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds over 8 inches. Big Mantrap (Mantrap) (1618 acres) Mantrap Lake is two miles east of Emmaville. Mantrap is 1618 acres with a maximum depth of 68 feet. There are two state owned public accesses, one is located on the south side of the west basin and the other one is located on the south end of the north arm. Mantrap is a popular lake for panfish, especially for Black Crappies. There is a special regulation for crappie of a five fish possession limit. Black Crappies were sampled in good numbers and all sizes from 5 to 14 inches. There are ample bulrush beds along the shoreline that crappies use in the spring, and are popular for anglers to target for crappies. There is a special regulation for Northern Pike, with a three fish limit and all 24 to 36 inches in length must be immediately released, with one allowed over 36 inches. Anglers can expect to find an abundant population of Northern Pike with an average size of 24 inches and 3.3 lbs. Northern Pike were sampled in good numbers up to 34 inches long, with most fish inches. Muskies are a very popular fish in Mantrap, but season does not open until June 2 nd. Special spring sampling has taken place in recent years, and has shown the population is very good with the biggest fish reaching 52 inches. WALKER General Outlook for Walker Area: Ice out might not occur until May this year, which will be later than the historical average of April 26 than the previous three years. Walleye spawning should be winding down by the May 12 fishing opener but fish, especially males, could still be congregated and make for a very good, shallow bite for the opener. Northern Pike are abundant in most area lakes with smaller fish easy to find. Several lakes in the Walker Area have a protected slot limit of 24 to 36 inches for Northern Pike. In most cases, surveys have found an increase in the proportion of Northern Pike 30+ inches long since the regulations were implemented in With exception to lakes with a 24 to 36 inch protected slot limit, all others in the area will fall under the new regulation for pike in the North Central Zone, which is a 10 fish limit with only two longer than 26.0 inches. Panfish action should be good in shallow water areas by Memorial Day. A number of lakes in the Walker area have experimental or special regulations for certain species. These special rules are designed to maintain or improve fishery quality. A notice of these regulations is typically posted at each lake s public access. Anglers should 9

10 consult their 2018 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet for the most current information. Rainbow Trout are stocked into five lakes in the Walker area and that harvest season also opens May 12. Diamond (82 acres) is located on the Woodtick Trail southeast of Walker and supports trout up to 20 inches. The lake has a very good concrete ramp maintained by the U.S. Forest Service that can handle larger watercraft on a trailer. Teepee (21 acres), located west of Diamond, is also accessible off of the Woodtick trail. It has an earthen access and trout up to 16 inches were sampled. This remote lake is best accessed with a canoe or small boat. Hazel (15 acres) is located east of Diamond Lake, provides a remote setting and has an earthen ramp best accessed with a canoe or small boat. Trout up to 17 inches have been sampled and this lake can be accessed from County Road 5. Perch (13 acres) is west of Backus and has trout up to 18 inches long. The lake is best accessed using a canoe or small boat from State Highway 87 along the Snoway #1 snowmobile trail. Long (1,007 acres) is a new two-story fishery northeast of Longville that has traditionally supported Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and other species. Trout were introduced in 2016 and fish up to 20 inches are present. Long Lake has a well-developed access on the north shoreline. Diamond, Hazel, Perch, and Teepee are all designated trout lakes; anglers must have a valid Trout Stamp to fish on designated trout lakes and the use of live bait is prohibited. Long Lake is not designated as a trout lake and the use of live bait is allowed but a Trout Stamp is required to harvest trout. All lakes are also open to winter trout angling, but the use of wheeled vehicles on designated snowmobile trails during winter is prohibited. Woman Lake (5,496 acres), Child (285 acres), and Girl (428 acres) are located southeast of Longville in Cass County and connected by the Boy River, which is navigable by most boats between the three lakes. The main public accesses are on the south side of Child, the north side of Woman, and on the north side of Girl, all on County Road 5. Woman Lake has the majority of the Walleye habitat and supports an excellent population, with sizes sampled in the 2017 survey ranging from 8-24 inches long. There are very strong 2013 and 2016 year classes in the lake, with an above average number of fish in the inch lengths. Similar to other good Walleye lakes in the area, anglers tend to do best until mid-june and again during September and October. Woman Lake also has a good population of quality-sized Yellow Perch and these are often targeted by anglers during fall and winter. Northern Pike numbers are similar to other lakes of this type. The proportion of Northern Pike longer than 28 inches increased since a protected slot limit of 24 to 36 inches was put in place in Smallmouth Bass are also abundant in Woman Lake and size quality is exceptional; fish exceeding 20 inches are frequently caught by anglers. Child and Girl lakes have better habitat for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill, and are better options for catching preferred sizes of these species. Pike numbers also tend to be higher in Child and Girl lakes. All three lakes support a low-density Muskellunge population with excellent sizes. NW REGION LARGE LAKE OUTLOOK Lake of the Woods: Walleye and Sauger are the most important sport fish on Lake of the Woods, and as such those populations are monitored annually. This assessment has been 10

11 conducted every September since 1981, so there is a lot of good population trend data available for these species. There were strong Walleye year classes produced in 2011 and These Walleye range from 14 to 18 inches long, and should be very abundant on the opener. In addition to these keeper-size walleye, anglers should also notice good numbers of small walleye, in the 6 to 10-inch range. These walleye showed up in good numbers in our annual fall survey, as well as during the creel survey conducted last winter. Lake of the Woods is well known for the trophy-size Walleye that anglers catch every year, and Walleye up to 32 inches are sampled every year during DNR fish sampling. Consider that these fish are quite old, and that it takes a long time for them to get to be of trophy size. Carefully consider what you will do with one of these fish before you harvest it, as it may have more value to the gene pool than it does as a fillet. Generally, a 25-inch long Walleye is about 10 years old, and a 30-inch Walleye is about 20 years old. Overall Sauger abundance increased to the highest level since 2011 due to strong year classes produced in 2011, 2014, and Sauger length ranged from 6-18 inches with good numbers in the inch range. Anglers should be aware of special fishing regulations on Lake of the Woods. These regulations are designed to maintain a quality fishery and fishing experience. The combined Walleye-Sauger limit is six, but no more than four of those fish may be Walleye. All Walleye between 19.5 and 28 inches in length must be immediately released, and only one Walleye longer than 28 inches may be possessed. Northern Pike are frequently overlooked by many anglers on Lake of the Woods. Both Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River support populations of trophy pike, with individuals over 40 inches long. The Northern Pike season is open continuously on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. The period immediately after ice-out is an excellent time to participate in this fishery. Anglers who would like to target Northern Pike should focus their efforts near spawning sites. Major spawning sites are Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay, and the Warroad River. Northern Pike are also managed by special regulation. The possession limit is three. All Northern Pike from 30 to 40 inches long must be released immediately. An angler may possess one Northern Pike over 40 inches long. Lake Sturgeon are another species that anglers may encounter, particularly if fishing the lower reaches of the Rainy River or Fourmile Bay. Sturgeon are highly vulnerable to over-harvest, so the regulations governing the harvest of these fish are fairly restrictive. Anglers that have purchased a Lake Sturgeon Harvest Tag may harvest one Lake Sturgeon per license year. The harvest season runs from April 24 to May 7, and from July 1 to September 30. Anglers may catch and release fish for sturgeon from May 8 to May 15, and from October 1 through the following April 23. The Lake Sturgeon season is closed from May 16 to June 30, so anglers cannot fish for sturgeon during this period. Only Lake Sturgeon from 45 to 50 inches long, or over 75 inches long, may be harvested. 11

12 Anglers should also be aware that Lake Sturgeon regulations are much more restrictive in Ontario. Sturgeon are classified as Threatened and the fishing season is closed. You may not harvest, or fish for, sturgeon on the Ontario portions of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. If you are fishing for Lake Sturgeon, know which side of the border you are on. Spiny water flea, an invasive species, was discovered in Lake of the Woods in 2007, so Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River have been designated as infested waters. With this infestation, anglers have an obligation to prevent the spread of this invading species to other water bodies. Spiny water fleas are predators that will compete with young Walleye, Sauger and Yellow Perch for food resources. They are a highly undesirable species in any water body. Anglers must make sure they do not transport any lake water in their boats. Bilges, live wells and bait wells must all be drained at boat landings, and boat has to be trailered with all of the plugs out. Also, spiny water flea tends to wrap around fishing line and anchor rope, so anglers must clean their fishing equipment when leaving the lake or river. Check the DNR web site for more specific information of how to prevent the spread of spiny water flea. Cass Lake: Cass Lake, and connected waters, are typically a good choice for early season Walleye fishing, particularly in years in years when ice out is later, like things are shaping up for this year. During these late years, fishing near the Mississippi or Turtle River mouths can be very productive particularly in the early morning or evening. The inlets and outlets of the connected waters are also popular. The Walleye population is healthy and comprised of good numbers of fish distributed among many different size and age classes. Angler catch rates should be good, with an abundance of fish from the strong 2013 year class that are in the 15- to 17-inch range as well as a number of fish in the low- to mid-twenties. Although night fishing has been popular on Cass Lake for a number of years the water, which was already clear, has gotten even clearer from the recent zebra mussel invasion. As a result, fishing when there is a chop on the water or during low light periods tends to most productive. The Northern Pike population is at above-average levels of abundance with good numbers of fish between 22 and 30 inches. Cass Lake generally produces a few trophy Northern Pike each year as well. Cass is also well known as a premier native Muskellunge lake and anglers catch a wide size range of fish, with some topping 50 inches. Anglers are reminded that the statewide Muskellunge season opens on June 2 nd and the statewide minimum length limit is 54 inches. Yellow Perch numbers in Cass Lake are a bit below the long-term average, though sizes have improved slightly over recent years. Still, anglers will likely have to do a little sorting along the way to find keeper-sized Yellow Perch this year. The newly established zebra mussel population is expanding and it is now common to find them throughout the lake. Starry Stonewort is also present. Remember to inspect your boat hull and anchor for unwanted hitchhikers and drain all of your water and keep your boat plugs out before leaving the access. 12

13 Upper Red Lake: The fishing outlook for Upper Red Lake is excellent. On waters under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota (the eastern 48,000 acres of Upper Red Lake), licensed anglers will be allowed a daily and possession limit of four Walleye, with one fish larger than 17 inches allowed in possession. These regulations are the same as last summer and take advantage of the abundance of fish in the 16- to 18-inch range in the lake at this time. Given the prospects for a later-than-average spring, Walleye catch rates during early season should be high. As usual, there are good numbers of fish from 14 to 18 inches so finding keeper-sized fish this year should not be a problem. Be prepared to accurately measure your catch by having the proper tools in your boat as there are good numbers of fish in the population right around 17 inches. The mouth of the Tamarac River is a very popular early season fishing location. However, early in the season there is good fishing around the entire shoreline break so consider spreading out to get away from the crowds. Moving around is also a good way to find fish from a wider size range. Anglers interested in catching large Northern Pike are probably already familiar with Upper Red Lake. Northern Pike size structure is impressive, and although angler catch rates may be low at times, the incentive is the potential to catch a trophy. Anglers should be aware of the special regulation for Northern Pike: all fish from 26 to 44 inches must be immediately released, and only one fish greater than 44 inches is allowed in possession. Anglers should be prepared to safely handle these large fish so they can survive the release process and live to fight another day. There are outstanding numbers of 36- to 40-inch fish in the population right now. Black Crappie numbers are similar to historical levels outside of the Crappie Boom in the early 2000s. Still, catching a few bonus fish to supplement the bag is a real possibility for anglers that know where to look. Early season will be best as fish will scatter after the spawn and be difficult to target. These fish are the result of recent hatches from 2010 to 2013 and are typically 10 to 13 inches, though there have been a few reports of fish 14 to 15 inches as well. Anglers should also be prepared to encounter a variety of DNR and Beltrami County staff while fishing or accessing Upper Red Lake. In addition to requests by fisheries creel survey clerks and conservation officers, staff from the various invasive species programs may be doing inspections and providing educational information. Red Lake was recently designated as an infested water as Starry Stonewort was discovered in With spiny water fleas established in Rainy Lake, the Rainy River, and Lake of the Woods, Upper Red Lake and other nearby waters are also at risk for direct transfer of this aquatic nuisance species by anglers. Anglers leaving any lake should remember that they are required by law to drain all water from boats, live wells, and bait wells and ensure the effective removal of all aquatic plants and/or other invasive species from their boat, trailer, and other equipment. Leech Lake: The 2018 fishing outlook on Leech Lake is looking promising, similar to the past few years. Walleye numbers are above the management goals that were set in the current management plan and recent low Yellow Perch numbers are on the rebound. Catch rates of adult Walleye (10.1 fish/net) are just above the management goal of 7 to 10 fish/net with Walleye ranging from 6 to 27 inches in the most recent fall survey. The 13

14 current protected slot limit with a 4 fish possession limit and one over 26.0 allowed in possession has worked to protect spawning fish but will be evaluated in 2018 to determine if it is currently protecting too many larger fish. Watch for signs at public accesses and information on opportunities for the public to provide comments on potential Walleye regulation proposals. Northern Pike catch rates were down from previous surveys with 3.8 fish/net in the fall sample. Catch rates have historically ranged from 4 to 6 fish per net and the lower management goal is at least 4.2 fish/net. New Northern Pike zone regulations will be in place by the 2018 open water opener and should benefit the Northern Pike population on Leech Lake. Yellow Perch numbers in the 2017 fall survey rebounded from the all-time low in Sizes of Yellow Perch captured in the nets ranged from 5 to 13 inches with an average length of 8 inches. The Yellow Perch population in Leech Lake is showing a balanced population with 40% of the perch sampled being 8 inches or larger. Muskellunge from Leech Lake are collected and spawned as part of the statewide broodstock program every four years. Fish that were ripe when caught in 2017 were stripped of their spawn and the eggs were fertilized. These fertilized eggs were distributed throughout the state to ensure an adequate gene pool for stocked muskellunge lakes. A portion of the muskellunge fingerlings that were produced from the Leech Lake fish are returned to Leech Lake. A strong concern on Leech Lake is the impacts that zebra mussels will have in the future. Immature zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, were found in After an extensive search of the lake in 2017 there was only one boat that was found to have any adult zebra mussels. Once the veligers are found it generally takes a few years before the adult zebra mussel population begins to dramatically increase. There are currently no known methods to control or reduce numbers of zebra mussels once they are found in natural systems. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) like zebra mussels are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website ( or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office. 14