It might seem premature, but it’s time to talk about fishing.
At least according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is seeking public input on fisheries management plans for 104 Minnesota lakes.
That includes seven lakes in the south-central Minnesota region. The lakes scheduled for lake management plan updates in 2024 include those in Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Waseca counties.
“People interested in the health and quality of Minnesota’s fisheries are a critical part of the DNR’s fisheries lake management planning process,” state Jon Hansen, DNR fisheries and management consultant, in a news release. “These plans establish fisheries management goals and objectives for each lake and define the work fisheries biologists do each year. Plans aren’t complete without observations and input from a lake’s stakeholders.”
Hansen said the DNR wants to hear from anyone interested in these fisheries.
“Comments about experiences, observations, concerns and wishes for the fishery — rather than suggestions on how the DNR might accomplish a specific goal or objective — are the most helpful kinds of input,” Hansen stated.
The DNR’s interest goes beyond individuals. Representatives of lake associations, outdoors groups, conservation organizations and units of government are encouraged to comment during this initial period as well.
Questions for participants to consider asking are: What kind of fishing experience are you looking for? Are these fish habitat concerns you’d like to share? What kind of fish do you like to catch? Do you like catching big fish or a lot of fish? Do you have social concerns about the fishery?
A full list of lakes can be found on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/lakemanagement. Listed with each lake is the DNR contact person assigned to field calls or emails about that specific lake.
Area fisheries managers might determine additional public engagement is necessary before a plan can be submitted. If so, those opportunities will be promoted regionally, Hansen said, as well as posted online on the DNR lake management website.
Area lakes scheduled for lake management plan updates in 2024 include: Crystal, Loon, Gorman, Roemhildts, Volney, Reeds and St. Olaf.