How Minnesota Determines Fish Management Strategies, Including Stocking

Almost every angler and property owner has an opinion on how the fisheries in their lake of interest should be managed. In many cases those opinions are extremely variable. Don’s presentation will describe how fish populations in Minnesota lakes are managed. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses a science based approach to make management decisions based on the status of the present fish community, fish population structure and abundance, historical trends, lake habitat type and public input. Information will be provided that discusses the various aspects of fish stocking programs, why stocking may be desirable and why it may not. The need for long term management and protection of lake habitats and water quality will be discussed as it is the key to healthy fish populations.

Presented by: Don Schreiner is a fisheries biologist with approximately 35 years of experience managing fisheries with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). He spent the first 10 years working on inland lakes, and the last 25 years managing Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior. After retiring from the MNDNR, Don volunteered and then became employed part-time as a fisheries specialist with Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG). His role at MNSG focuses on transferring technical fisheries information to interested public in a concise and easily understood manner.

Links referred to in this presentation:
MNDNR Fisheries - Home Page
•https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/index.html

•Area Fisheries Offices –
•https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/index.html

•MNDNR Lake Finder –
•https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

•Input on MNDNR Lake Management Plans
•https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/lake-management/index.html

•MNDNR Fisheries Habitat Plan
•https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/fisheries/habitat/fishhabitatplan.pdf

Any further questions about the information presented here, contact: Don Schreiner, Fisheries Specialist, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota Duluth vis email: schr0941@d.umn.edu
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We hope through our Water Wisdom series you will be inspired each month to think about water in a new way.

Our 2024 series is available at: https://itascawaters.org/water-wisdom-2024.

The Practical Water Wisdom series is the brainchild of Itasca Waters, a nonprofit organization located in Itasca County MN whose mission is to ‘team up’ with other organizations and concerned citizens to maintain abundant, clean water for our continued health, enjoyment, and a strong economy.

This series is supported by Itasca Waters’ members, Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District, KAXE/KBXE, and Grand Rapids (MN) Herald-Review.

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