04-13-2004, 09:09 PM
CASS LAKE, MN--Walleye spawning habitat in Minnesota's Lake Winnibigoshish is being protected from fluctuating water levels and erosive wind and wave action thanks to the Lake Winnie Partnership's efforts to stabilize nearly 25,000 feet of shoreline.
In 1988, the Lake Winnie Partnership, made up of several local, state and federal agencies and conservation organizations, was formed to stabilize eroding shoreline and improve recreational facilities. Today, those efforts have stabilized shoreline along the east and south banks of the lake where erosion was the most severe, at a cost approximately $2 million.
Prior to the banks' stabilization, the shifting sands that sloughed off the banks made the near shore area virtual deserts, devoid of plant and animal life. But now, the same wind and wave action that eroded the banks is moving the sand away from the shore and near shore areas and exposing the rock, again providing natural spawning habitat.
In other Minnesota news, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program that allows mothers who are Minnesota residents to fish without a license during the state's "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend," May 8-9.
The DNR says during this year's "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend," the harvest on inland waters may include crappies, sunfish, rock bass, white bass, channel and flathead catfish, perch, bullheads, whitefish and non-game species (carp buffalo, suckers, sheepshead, bowfins, burbots, cisco, gar, goldeye and redhorse) as well as brown, rainbow and brook trout in streams.
Additional information regarding what anglers can legally harvest during "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend" can be found in Minnesota's 2004 Fishing Regulations handbook or on the DNR's website at [url "http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html"][#0000ff]www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html[/#0000ff][/url].
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In 1988, the Lake Winnie Partnership, made up of several local, state and federal agencies and conservation organizations, was formed to stabilize eroding shoreline and improve recreational facilities. Today, those efforts have stabilized shoreline along the east and south banks of the lake where erosion was the most severe, at a cost approximately $2 million.
Prior to the banks' stabilization, the shifting sands that sloughed off the banks made the near shore area virtual deserts, devoid of plant and animal life. But now, the same wind and wave action that eroded the banks is moving the sand away from the shore and near shore areas and exposing the rock, again providing natural spawning habitat.
In other Minnesota news, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program that allows mothers who are Minnesota residents to fish without a license during the state's "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend," May 8-9.
The DNR says during this year's "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend," the harvest on inland waters may include crappies, sunfish, rock bass, white bass, channel and flathead catfish, perch, bullheads, whitefish and non-game species (carp buffalo, suckers, sheepshead, bowfins, burbots, cisco, gar, goldeye and redhorse) as well as brown, rainbow and brook trout in streams.
Additional information regarding what anglers can legally harvest during "Take A Mom Fishing Weekend" can be found in Minnesota's 2004 Fishing Regulations handbook or on the DNR's website at [url "http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html"][#0000ff]www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html[/#0000ff][/url].
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