In a cooperative effort to investigate walleye populations, biologists from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Fond du Lac Band and the 1854 Authority are working together to survey walleye in Island Lake Reservoir (Duluth) and in Crooked and Fourmile lakes (Finland). This spring, fisheries crews will tag as many walleye as possible in these three lakes. A small plastic tag that looks like a bright yellow streamer will be implanted at the base of the dorsal (back) fin of each fish. Tag returns along with other recapture efforts will help fisheries managers estimate the size of the walleye populations in these lakes. This information will help plan future management strategies for these lakes.Drop boxes will be available at all public accesses to enable easy reporting of tagged fish. If anglers keep a tagged fish, they should simply remove the tag and deposit it into the drop box. They should not remove tags from fish they intend to release. People may phone tag numbers into the DNR area fisheries offices. Reports of tagged fish will be acknowledged with a brief history of the tagged fish. If people have questions about the tagging study or fisheries management on these lakes, they should call either the Duluth area fisheries office at (218) 525-0853, extension 200, or the Finland area fisheries office at (218) 353-7591.
I hope one of our fishing teams scores one. I think we have a chance, so keep your eyes open.