Leech Lake
Leech Lake's (Minnesota) walleye and yellow-perch populations have rebounded over the last two years.
Catch rates in Minnesota Department of Natural Resources test nets this summer were better than last year's average as well as the long-term average. The largest increase came from the main lake, where the agency averaged nine walleyes per net lift compared with four in 2005.
Part of the recovery plan was to reduce the number of double-breasted cormorants that live on the lake. The DNR estimated the birds ate about 11 pounds of fish per acre in summer 2004. Over the past two summers, 6,300 cormorants have been killed.
Walleye growth rates also have been ahead of schedule, with a majority of the fish caught this summer from the 2005 class measuring 11 to 13 inches and still growing. An experiment to require all walleyes between 18 and 26 inches be released and only one walleye longer than 26 inches be kept has helped maintain the adult brood stock in the lake.
October 30, 2006 6:42 AM | Category: Fish, Lake