Leech Lake....Critical News Update!!!

[AWH]

FIVE MILE POINT, LEECH LAKE
PROPOSED AQUATIC MANAGEMENT AREA (AMA) ACQUISITION
Harlan Fierstine
DNR Area Fisheries Supervisor
07316 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484
218/547-1683
[email protected]

The proposed Five Mile Point AMA consists of 1200 feet of shoreline and about 30 acres on Leech Lake east of Five Mile Point. Located offshore of the property is 1 of 6 documented muskellunge spawning areas on Leech Lake. The spawning area was located by Bob Strand (retired DNR Fisheries Research Biologist) during the radio telemetry work he conducted with muskellunge during the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s. The spawning area is in water depths ranging from about 3 to 6 feet. The bottom substrate is primarily marl (very soft) on which grows Chara (muskgrass). Chara is the perfect substrate for the successful development of muskellunge eggs. All documented muskellunge spawning areas on Leech Lake have the combination of marl and Chara.

During January, 2002 this office received an Army Corps permit application for a 36 slip boat harbor to be dredged in a riparian wetland. The harbor would serve future development on the 30 acres. Due to likely damage caused by concentrated boat traffic to the muskellunge spawning area located directly offshore, the DNR recommended denial of the permit application. There is no guarantee that the permit will be denied. Concentrated boat traffic would likely destroy much of Chara thus eliminating the substrate needed for the successful development of muskellunge eggs.

Because of the muskellunge spawning area the DNR Division of Fisheries has allocated $200,000 of LCMR funds to purchase the property to be managed as an AMA. Such a designation would protect the muskellunge spawning area for the future. The value of the property is greater than the amount of money the DNR has available. Presently several chapters of Muskie Inc, the Wabedo-Little Boy-Inguadona-Rice-Cooper Lakes Assoc., and Leech Lake Watershed Foundation have committed funds to help purchase the proposed AMA. All these dollar commitments will be matched by Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) funds. More funds are needed for the purchase.

The property owner is interested in seeing the property purchased and managed as an AMA. Thus he is willing to hold off for a short unspecified time on any development plans to allow some time for funds to be raised for the purchase. He has enjoyed the natural resources of the Leech Lake area for years. Like anyone with an investment he does want to see a return for himself and his children.

The proposed Five Mile Point AMA is important for the future of the high quality muskellunge fishery of Leech Lake. Feel free to contact this office for more information.

The following is an update from Dan Dean Pres. of Leech Lake Chapter of Muskies Inc.......

Harlan is going to meet with the land owner today, things are starting to move on this. Harlan has asked to confirm Chapter pledges so he knows what he is working with. If you could please confirm your chapter pledge for this effort now it would be greatly appreciated.

[AWH]

The genetics for most musky lakes in MN have come from Leech. If the capability for natural reproduction in Leech is reduced, it will effect the whole MN muskie program down the road. Eggs are taken out of Leech every 5 years or so to give the brood stock lakes in MN a genetic boost. This is vital to the health of our entire stocking program.
Habitat loss is something that can't be repaired if it is lost. You cannot rebuild a spawning area.

Please support this cause, even if it's just an email to voice your support. Leech is the cornerstone of muskie fishing in MN.

AWH

[AWH]

Muskies, Inc., Dick Pearson, and others have organized a raffle to support this cause. There have currently been tons of donations for prizes. Tackle, guide trips, etc. The donations and the prize pool continue to come in. Tickets for the raffle are $5 each. They plan on having the drawing some time early next week.

If anyone is interested I can point them in the right direction for more information.

Moderators....can I post a link to another message board that could fill people in on this?

AWH

[RuKiddingMe]

For those of you interested in buying tickets to help this cause, there will be numorous booth's at the Minnesota Muskie Expo selling tickets and they will be 5$ a piece. I have seen the latest lists of donations and it is huge very nice stuff in their, equipment, lodging, guide services and all kinds of goodies.

From what i understand they were going to do the drawing as the Expo was wrapping up on Sunday March 9, but from the sounds of it they may end up dong it a couple days later due to all the prise donations.

Hopefully this Sites Mod's will let AWH post the links to the sites with more information.

[guideman]

Hi All,
This is really important to the future
of muskie fishing in Minnesota. The tickets are only $5.00, and some of the prizes are worth hundreds of dollars.
I'm sure Rick wouldn't have a problem with posting a link to the raffle, If you want to check with him first.

Hey....you have my permission, for what it's worth.

------------------

Ace guide service.
Beautiful Lake Vermilion.
aceguideservice.com
[email protected]

[AWH]

Guideman, thanks for the response. I figured since you're one of the moderators on this forum, your permission would be good enough. So that works for me. Hopefully Rick won't mind either. It's definitely a very important issue!

This thread will give you pretty much all the information you might need.

http://www.muskies101.com/forums/ForumID3/160.html

It's kind of a long thread, lots of information there and lots of prizes listed. If you just want to know how to order tickets, post #34 is the one to go to. Or if you go to the Musky Expo in Blaine this weekend, you can purchase tickets there as well.

AWH

[This message has been edited by AWH (edited 02-26-2003).]

[AWH]

Just a note about the Musky Expo in Blaine. I believe it's actually next weekend, March 7-9. Not this weekend like I originally said. I know I can't go either weekend though, so I'm not positive.
If anyone is interested in a list of the current prizes (which continue to grow everyday) and doesn't know where to find them, post your email and I'll send you an updated list. It gets more impressive by the day!

AWH

[AWH]

Everyone still has time to support this very important cause and win some great prizes while doing it. The Musky Expo is now through Sunday at the National Sports Center in Blaine. You can purcahse tickets there or you can still do it online. The current plan is to have the drawing on March 18th.

Good luck to everyone that bought some tickets. And for anyone that hasn't, I strongly urge you to do so. The importance of this cause can NOT be overemphasized.

AWH