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Red Lake Fishery

Red Lake Fishery. Scott Toshner Senior Fisheries Biologist Inland Waters of Douglas and Bayfield Counties. Wisconsin lakes and streams are held in trust for all citizens as “common highways and forever free.” Article IX, Section 1, Wisconsin Constitution. Summary. Management History

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Red Lake Fishery

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  1. Red Lake Fishery Scott Toshner Senior Fisheries Biologist Inland Waters of Douglas and Bayfield Counties

  2. Wisconsin lakes and streams are held in trust for all citizens as “common highways and forever free.” Article IX, Section 1,Wisconsin Constitution

  3. Summary • Management History • Recent Fishery Data • Future Management • Riparian Management and its Relation to the Fishery

  4. Red Lake Stocking History

  5. Historical Fisheries Information • Original Lake survey completed in 1936. Surrounding shore consisted of mostly cutover hardwoods. Abundant and varied aquatic vegetation, duck food abundant. Fish present; walleye, northern pike, bass, perch and panfish. Fish stocked walleye and bass. Fish common before stocking; bass, northern pike, perch and bullheads. Recommended continued stocking of walleye and bass. Total of 8 cottages on lake. • 1962 fishery survey – purpose to determine management of fishery on lake. Electrofished on July 25, 1962. Found northern pike and walleye to be principle gamefish. A limited population of largemouth and smallmouth bass present. Of the 4 gamefish species surveyed largemouth bass were only one with above average growth rates. Four species of panfish surveyed only rock bass had higher than average growth.

  6. Historical Fisheries Information • 1966 fishery survey – purpose to evaluate walleye stocking done in 1963. Electrofishing was conducted on May 11, 1965. Fewer walleye found in 1965 (n=28) versus 1962 (n=35). However, felt that stocked walleye showed up fairly well and growth rates were good. Bluegill growth rates were slow. Largemouth bass showed a large increase compared to 1962 (possibly survey timing). Found that stocking of largemouth bass was not necessary which was against public requests at the time. • 1973 Lake inventory. Done at around this time for almost all area lakes. Northern pike and largemouth bass were “common” and walleye and smallmouth bass were “present”. 40 cottages on lake shore.

  7. Historical Fisheries Information • 1978 survey completed by DNR research unit and results were never reported. • 1981 survey in response to complaints from anglers about poor fishing. Found that bluegills were overabundant and that walleye stocking was providing a fishable population that would hopefully help to control bluegill population. • 1994 treaty fishery assessment. Walleye population moderate at best. Recommended continuation of walleye stocking to help control bluegill population. Adult walleye population estimate = 0.5/acre. Tribal harvest for Red Lake; 1989 n=6 walleye 1990 n=18 walleye

  8. Historical Fisheries Information • 2005 baseline lake survey. Fall electrofishing survey found the following; Northern pike, n=21, 19” average Largemouth Bass, n=37, 11” average Walleye, n=6, 16” average Bluegill, n=525, 3.2” average Pumpkinseed, n=46, 5.2” average Yellow perch, n= 25, 3” average Black crappie Rock bass Yellow bullhead Spottail shiner Golden shiner Bluntnose minnow Johnny darter

  9. Walleye Recruitment Surveys YearYOY/mile • 2005 0 • 2004 1/0 *stocked with 12,965 walleye • 2002 3 *stocked with 12,900 walleye • 2001 0 • 2000 22 *stocked with 12,900 walleye • 1999 0 • 1994 5 *stocked with 6,477 walleye • 1990 0

  10. Summary • Long stocking history • Historic indication of low density of predator species • Historic indication of increase in panfish abundance • Walleye stocking research is ongoing • Walleye extended growth stocking is a possibility • Natural reproduction of walleye is sporadic

  11. What’s Next? • Walleye population estimate survey scheduled in 2010. Use results to further evaluate small fingerling walleye stocking. Compare data to historic surveys and produce report. • Listen to your feedback. • Attempt to make decisions based on biological information and public desire…..not always easy!

  12. Pleasures Generally good condition Wild shorelines Good fish habitat Clear water Concerns Impervious surfaces Suburban lawns Fertilizer use Tree removal Red Lake Management

  13. Better Shoreline Stewardship: Landscape for water quality & natural beauty Maintain or restore shoreline vegetation Leave the logs in the lake Reasonable pier and boat use Maintain native beds of aquatic plants Source: Greg Sass – Steve Carpenter – Jeff Bode

  14. Climate Change - Trend in Ice Cover Duration Lake Mendota, Wisconsin 5 4 3 2 1 0 Months of Ice Cover 1850 1900 1950 2000 Source: John Magnuson

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