articles from May, 1996 newsletter:
President's Message
I hate to say it, but my usually optimistic outlook is wearing a little thin this winter/spring. With May 1 only a week away, there are piles of snow heaped along the north side of the house, tons of ice cover the lake beyond my front yard -- and snow is in the forecast for tonight. Our long, cold, snowy winter just will not bow out gracefully. I will admit I've seen a few welcome signs of impending spring. The nets are in at the Pike River Hatchery; sightings of ducks, herons and seagulls are now reported daily; pussywillows are out and trees are budding; shoes and jackets have replaced boots and parkas -- and best of all, our neighbors who were wintering in warmer climes are beginning to make their way back to Vermilion. We've missed you --- welcome home!
Early hints of spring always trigger a flurry of Sportsmen's Club activity. Directors will be hosting an appreciation dinner for volunteers, DNR personnel and other friends who helped us accomplish last year's projects. As the spring spawning run begins, one group of club volunteers will be at the Pike River Hatchery and others will monitor the Sunset Creek Spawning Area. When the ice clears, members will service our navigation lights and day-use picnic sites. Spring also brings the awarding of our conservation scholarships, and volunteers will help with tree planting, shoreline cleanup and distribution of boating safety and catch-release materials. Summer plans include water testing for clarity, temperature and quality; the July loon census; and the annual membership meeting in August.
Thanks to all our members who renewed their memberships after receiving a letter and membership card from Barb Shook back in January. If you put it aside to answer later -- please let us hear from you soon. Memberships fund virtually all of the club's projects around the lake and we need and depend on our members to provide the advocacy, encouragement -- and often the manpower -to get the work done.
On behalf of your directors -- sincere thanks for your interest and support -- and a hope that the promised spring and summer will bring you the beauty and enjoyment that always remind us of how lucky we are to live at the lake.
Paula Bloczynski. President
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Board Members in the News
On Dec. 9, 1995, board member WILLIS IRONS was guest of honor at the mid-winter meeting of the Northeastern District Dental Society. At the meeting, Willis was honored for accomplishments in his professional affiliations, as a teacher and author and as a member of the State Board of Dentistry.
Club past president RICK PEARSON will be a presenter at the annual conference of the Minnesota Lakes Association on May 3 in Duluth. Rick will be representing our club on a workshop program entitled "Profiles of Successful Lake Associations." He will be showing a slide presentation, produced by his company, Eagle One Productions, that depicts the club's work around Lake Vermilion.
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Can You Find a Spot to Plant Some Trees?
All the publicity this spring relating to the shrinking stands of pine in Minnesota has caught your board's attention. And we wondered if among our membership of 1800 there might be some folks who would plant a few trees around Vermilion.
We made a modest investment in Norway and white pine seedlings -- just a thousand of each -- to see if our members are interested in tree planting as a club project.
The seedlings have been ordered from the Minnesota State Forest Nursery in Willow River and will be shipped sometime in May. Workers will not dig the seedlings until the ground is at least 40', so we probably won't have the seedlings until the latter part of May.
If you would like to try your hand at nurturing a few trees, please contact a board member in your area and we'll see that you get some -- as long as the supply lasts. If we get a good response, we'll be encouraged to budget for another seedling purchase next spring.
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Minnesota Zoo Common Loon Study
The Minnesota Zoo would like to request the assistance of the LoonWatch Loon Rangers in an investigation of the causes of injury, disease and death of the common loon, Gavia immer, in Minnesota. This study is being funded by the Minnesota Zoo and a Loon Watch Research grant with assistance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Investigations to date have involved the correlation of gross necropsy results with heavy metal levels in loon tissues. In this project physiological data (analysis of blood and parasites) will be collected on all live birds. Dead birds will undergo a complete necropsy including histopathology and heavy metal analysis for mercury and lead. Rehabilitated birds will be returned to the wild. Nonreleasable birds will be housed at the Minnesota Zoo as appropriate.
This project will provide: 1) A regional location for the rehabilitation of common loons and study of loon me rbidity and mortality. 2) An opportunity to gather physiologicai data and to co nti nue to defi ne the captive requi rements of ioons. 3) Expansion of the current data which correlates loon me rtality and morbidity with h eavy metal levels withi n tissues. 4) Identification of lakes or regions with high loon morbidity or mortality.
In order to successfu lly carry out the study it is essential that collection of all injured or orphaned birds occurs as quickly as possible. If you obse rve an orphaned, i nju red or dead common loon contact your Regional Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Specialist. The DNR staff will infoim you as to what procedure to follow for collection of the loon. Remember, it is illegal to possess a loon (eitherdead or alive) without approval from the DNR. The DNR staff will arrange transportation for the birds to the Minnesota Zoo where pools have been permanently set up to house injured birds. Injured loons should be held in a well-padded kennel (box) until they can be picked up by DNR staff. Food (minnows) can be offered if available.
Dead loons should be placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated/frozen as soon as possible until transport can be arranged. If the loon can be picked up within 48 hours the loon can be refrigerated, if not it should be frozen.
It is also extremely important that we get as much information about each bird as we can. It is especially important for us to get the name of a contact person if we need more detailed information.
Minnesota Zoo Contacts:
Jimmy Pichner, Curator of Birds .............(612) 431-9278
Kris Petrini, Senior Veterinarian .............(612) 431-9261
Zoo Switchboard .....................................(612) 431-9200
bv Jack Mooty, Regional Nongame Specialist DNR Regional Headquarters Grand Rapids
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Angler Creel Survey Scheduled for Lake Vermilion in 1996 and l997
By Duane Williams, Large Lake Specialist for Lake Vermllion,
Minn. Dept. oi Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries will be conducting a creel survey on Lake Vermilion during the summers of 1996 and 1997. Creel survey is a scientific method of estimatingfishing pressure and fish harvest from boat counts and angler interviews. Creel surveys are a very valuable tool for monitoring and managing fish populations. Creel survey is conducted on Lake Vermilion as part of the statewide Large Lake Program which includes creel survey two consecutive years out of every six years. Previous creel surveys were done in 1984-85 and 1990-91. A DNR aircraft will be used to count boats at scheduled times throughout the summer. Two DNR creel survey clerks will be interviewing anglers by boat to gather information on the numbers and sizes of fish caught, time spent fishing, methods of fishing and other pertinent information. The Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club is participating in the survey by furnishing one of the boats used for intervi ewing anglers. The use of the boat is greatly appreciated and will be a major factor in successfully completing the survey.
The creel survey clerks wiII be contacting anglers while they are fishing on Lake Vermilion this summer. They will ask a series of questions and may measu re fis h the angler has caught. They may also take a few scales from some of the fish for age analysis. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lake Vermilion anglers for their cooperatisn during the survey. The interview process may be a little inconvenient, however, the information gained is very valuable. Creel survey clerks who worked during surveys in 1984-85 and 1990-91 were very impressed with how cooperative and friendly Lake Vermilion anglers we re. That cooperation is much appreciated. Anyone who has questions about the creel survey can call me at 218365-7280.
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Thanks, Shamrock Marina
Many thanks on behalf of all of our members to Randy and Kathy Kladivo at Shamrock Marina on Black Duck Bay for helping us to buy the boat and motor that we will be loaning to the DNR for their creel census. Randy and Kathy made a sizeable donation in selling the rig to us below their cost and we really appreciate their generosity.
Stop by and thank them personally if you have a chance.
This project is one we have co-sponsored with the DNR in past years. Beginning May 11 and for the next two summers, DNR personnel will be on the lake every day, asking fishermen about their catch of the day. Statistics will be compiled at the end of the two-year period and added to the DNR's ongoing data base that aids in planning for the Vermilion fishery.
As in past yearsl the club has purchased a boat and motor which will be used by DNR-Fisheries for the next two summers and then put out on bids to our members. So when you're out on Vermilion this summer, watch for a 16ft. Crestliner with a 25-hp. Mariner and a DNR statistician aboard. Your club membership has helped to fund this worthwhile project.
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Status of Fish Populations in Lake Vermilion
By Duane Williams, Large Lake Specialist for Lake Vermilion,
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries
Lake Vermilion is part of the statewide Large Lake Sampling Program, which includes annual fish population assessments on the 10 largest lakes in Minnesota. A variety of sampling gear is used to collect the various fish species and life stages. Sampling for each gear type is conducted at the same time and place each year in order to dete rmi ne popu latio n trends fo r th e major species. Data is also collected on length, weight, age and growth for each of the major species. A summary of the 1995 fish population assessment on Lake Vermiliorp is presented in the balance of this report. I encourage anyone with questions about fish populations in Lake Vermilion to call me at 218-365-7280 or stop by our Ely office for a visit.
The test net catch of walleye in the fall of 1995 was 12.4 fish per net, which is near the long-time average of 12.1 fish per net. The walleye test net catch increased in 1995 after below average catches in 1993 and 1994. Low test net catches in 1993 and 1994 were due to the declining influence of a strong 1988 year class and below average 1989, 1992 and 1 993 yearclasses. The increased walleye catch in 1995 was due to an increase in the number of smaller walleye from the 1994 year class and an above average 1991 year class. The average length of walleye sampled in test nets was 13.4 inches, which is above the historical average. Beach seining and electrofishing indicate both the 1994 and 1995 year classes have the potential to be above average, particularly the 1995 year class. Walleye from these potentially strsng year classes will start showing up in angler catches in 1997. Walleye fishing success in 1996 will depend primarily on the moderately strong 1991 year class. Most walleye from the 1991 year class (5-year-olds) will be 13-16 inches long in the spring of 1996.
The test net catch of northern pike was 1 .0 fish per net, which is near the historical ave rage of 1.2 fish per net. The northern pike population has been very consistent over the years with very little fluctuation. The northern pike population in Lake Vermilion has tended to be slightly below average compared to similar type lakes in Minnesota, although the average size has been above average. The average length of northern pike sampled in test nets was 25.1 inches. All age classes of northern pike to age 8 were represented in the test net catch.
The muskie population in Lake Vermilion appears to be responding well to an intensive stocking program that started in 1984. Muskie test netting was not done in 1995, although recent test net catches of muskie were 0.2 fish per net for East Vermilion in 1993 and 0.1 fish per net for West Vermilion in 1994. These catches were slightly below average compared to other muskie lakes in northern Minnesota. Test net catches of muskie should improve as more year classes become mature and are susceptible to the trap nets used to sample spawning fish. The largest muskie caught in the trap nets in 1994 was 42.5 inches long and weighed 25.9 pounds. Reports from anglers and resorts also indicate the muskie population is doing well. Test netting of the muskie population is scheduled for the spring of 1997 and 1998.
Because smallmouth bass are seldom caught in standard test nets, an electrofishing boat has been used since 1989 to monitor the population. The bass catch in 1995 was 17.3 fish per hour of electrofishing, which is lower than catches in recent years. The low catch may be due to poor reproduction of bass during the cool summers of 1992 and 1993. The average size of sampled bass was 9.1 inches. All age classes of bass to age 9 were represented in the catch. Growth of smallmouth bass in Lake Vermilion is relatively slow, taking 6-7 years for a bass to reach l2 inches.
The test net catch of yellow perch was 17.4 fish per net, below the historical average of 26.2 fish per net. The perch population on Lake Vermilion is usually well above average compared to similar type lakes in Minnesota. Perch sampled in test nets had an average length of 8.1 inches. Perch sampled in the Big Bay area were particularly large, averaging 9.1 inches long. The perch catch was dominated by the 1991 year class although all age ciasses were well represented.
The test net catch of bluegill was 17.9 fish per net, slightly below the long-term average of 25.1 fish per net. Bluegill numbers have stabilized in recent years after an exceptionally high level in the late 1980s. The bluegill population on Lake Vermilion is above average compared to similartype lakes in Minnesota. Bluegill sampled by trap nets had an average length of 6.7 inches. The bluegill population is currently dominated by strong 1988 and 1989 year classes. Most of the bluegill from the 1988 and 1989 year classes will be (6-8 inches long this spring and should provide good angling opportunities for the near future.
The test net catch of black crappie was 6.7 fish per net, below the historical average of 1.5 fish per net. The crappie population on Lake Vermilion is slightly below average compared to similar type lakes in Minnesota although the average size is slightly above average. Crappie reproduction on Lake Vermilion is somewhat sporadic, with t h e popu latio n typically dominated by occasional strong year classes. Currently the population is dominated by average 1991 and 1994 year classes. A strong 1987 year class, which had dominated the population for a number of years, has been greatly diminished in numbers. Most of the crappie from the 1991 year class will be 8-10 inches long this spring.
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"Muskie Lore"
The addition of muskies to the Lake Vermilion fishery has brought an exciting new experience to fishermen. Muskies are a legendary fish. The St. Lawrence River fishery has been a muskie fisherman's paradise. Presidents and world leaders have vacationed fishing muskie among the Thousand Islands section of the river. Some of the world's largest muskies have been taken there.
Then there are the Leech Lake muskies. When they go "on the feed", muskie fishermen from across the nation drop what they're doing and head for Minnesota. More muskies in a five-day "feeding frenzy" have been caught than during the whole rest of the season.
Canadian shield lakes are home to many muskies too. Several "TV fishermen" dedicate whole seasons of shows to catching them. The cold water and short growing seasons make for slow growing fish but the same conditions allow the fish to have much longer life spans than muskies from waters further south.
And now there's Lake Vermilion muskies. The most recent plants haven't been around long enough to gain full size. The earliest have only reached 50-55 inches in length. We haven't had many dedicated muskie fishermen on the Lake to know if the fish do go on feeding sprees or not. And as for cold water and short summers, well, lets not get into that.
But there is one thing about our muskies that is unique. They seem to display a sense of cunning never before seen in the species. Here's one example of their prowess. It seems late last August two rather neophyte muskie fishermen were trying their luck. They had all the necessary equipment new graphite rods, the new stronger-than-steel line wound on top shelf wide-spool reels. Every shape and color lure was in their tackle box spoons, plugs, crank-baits. Everything right out of the front pages of that catalog from 1-800-BASS-PRO.
Anyway, all morning they'd been working the Lake near Oak Narrows definitely prime muskie water. At noon they decided to take a break at the Sportsmen's Club shore lunch site on Wolf Point. If you've been there, you know the place. Sitting back eating lunch sandwiches and coffee, they were watching a squirrel doing the same thing. Just about 40 yards to the left of the site if you're looking out on the water there's an old balsam tree hanging out over the water. Right next to it are several large oak trees. And out from shore about 10 feet is a large flat rock that sticks up out of the water by several inches. The squirrel was trying to gather up the meager crop of acorns under and around the oak trees. He kept looking at one large acorn sitting on that rock. As the fishermen watched, the squirrel kept running up the balsam and out on its branches to reach the rock. And as it got out far enough on the branches they would dip down with the added weight and the squirrel would run back to the tree trunk. He finally found the right branch, with the right dip, and jumped out to the rock. The two fishermen had to cheer that feat of courage. The squirrel quickly grabbed the acorn and turned around to get back to shore. Of course without the weight of the squirrel, the branch sprung back up out of reach. That squirrel criss-crossed that rock for ten minutes trying to find a way back. Probably the thought of hawks and eagles finally drove that squirrel to try swimming to shore. But as the fishermen watched, the squirrel only got about two feet of swimming in before a huge muskie got him.
Needless to say, sandwiches flew in one direction and coffee cups in another. Those two fishermen were on that fish like - well, snow on my roof. They tried every lure in their arsenal. They used every technique know to fishing video watchers and a few more they invented on the spot. A muskie is a territorial fish so they knew he was around. But they couldn't find the right combination of lure and presentation to entice that fish to hit.
After an hour and a half of working that shoreline to a froth, they'd about given up. Back they went to the shore lunch site to collect the scattered noon meal. Being good fishermen they took the time to pick up all their leavings. And as they were getting back into their boat they heard splashing sounds coming from that big flat rock. There before their very eyes was that muskie putting another acorn on the rock.
This tale is only the beginning of muskie lore on Lake Vermilion. For as we well know, the art of fishing is as much in the telling as it is in the catching. (To the Lake, Rick Pearson)
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Personal Watercrafts - Do You Know the Rules?
All personal watercraft are considered motorboats and thus any regulations that apply to mbtorboats also apply to personal watercraft.
-- Anybody operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, 111 and V personal flotation device (life jacket).
-- You may not operate a personal watercraft between sunset and 8 a.m. the following day.
-- You may not travel at greater than a slow speed - no wake speed - within 100 feet of any shoreline, dack, swimmer, swimming raft, any moored or anchored watercraft or non-motorized watercraft at any time.
-- You may not chase or harass wildlife.
-- You may not travel through emergent or floating vegetation at greater than slow speed - no wake speed.
-- You may not operate a personal watercraft in a manner that unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb or property.
-- You may not weave through congested watercraft traffic or jump the wake of another watercraft within 100 feet of the other watercraft. This includes other personal watercraft.
-- All personal watercraff must display valid registration decals and stats registration numbers on the front half of both sides of the craft.
-- Your watercraft license card must be kept on board your craft when it's in use.
-- AlI personal watercraft with enclosed engines or fuel compartments must carry a fully charged, readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher.
-- It is unlawful to operate a personal watercreft whle intoxicated.
There are also age of operator requirements. They are:
-- Under 13 years old: A person under the age of 13 years old may not operate a personal watercraft, regardless of horsepower, unless there is person 18 years of age or older also on board the craft.
-- Age 13: A 13-year-old operating a personal watercraft must have a watercraft operator's permit. The 13year-old must also be under unaided observation by a person 18 years of age or older. (The observer may be on shore watching the operator, but he or she must be within sight without the aid of binoculars.)
-- Ages 13 to 17: Persons 13 through 17 may operate a personal watercraft without a watercraft operator's permit if somebody 18 or older accompanies them on board the craft.
-- Ages 14 to 17: Any person at least 14 years of age, but less than 18 years of age may operate a personal watercraft alone, regardless of horsepower, if they have a valid watercraft operator's permit.
It is also unlawful for the owner of the personal watercraft to permit its operation in violation of the age restrictions.
Violation of any of the watercraft safety laws is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $700 and/or 90 days in jail.
For information about the available boating courses - call 1-800-BOAT for a class near you.
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Lake Vermilion -Looking to the Future
I picked up a newspaper recently and my jaw dropped as I read that April 22 was the 26th anniversary of Earth Day. As a 20-year-old college student, I attended the original Earth Day celebration on my college campus. Reading the article made me think about what had attracted me to that Earth Day celebration and how that day had a lot to do with where I am today.
I grew up in a rural suburb of Cleveland, Ohio near the shores of Lake Erie. As a child, my dad taught me how to swim at a beautiful sand beach in the clear waters of that lake. By the time I was in my late teens, Lake Erie had become so polluted that health warning signs we re posted at the beaches, the sport fishery was devastated and the lake was declared "DEAD" by the press. The Cuyahoga River, which flowed through Cleveland and emptied into the lake was so fouled by the smokestack industries lining its banks that it regularly caught on fire, making it the brunt of jokes in Johnny Carson's nightly monologue. It wasn't really fu nny. Over this same ti me span, my au nt and u ncle purchased a resort on the west end of Lake Vermilion and my family began to spend summer vacations here. The pristine beauty of this place amazed and fascinated me. I thought, until that time, that the environment I knew in Ohio was "normal." As I got older, I spent summers working at the resort. My aunt and uncle deeply loved Lake Vermilion and were decades ahead of their time in terms of their attitudes toward the need to protect the environment. Some of that must have rubbed off on me.
Growing up inthesetwo geographically different places, I had the advantage of clearly seeing the consequences of human ignorance and short-sighted economic strategies. It disturbed and motivated me. When I participated in the first "Earth Day," I was excited to discover that other people were also concerned enough about what was happening to our environment to actually commit themselves to improving it. That day I made a personal commitment to myself that if I ever realized my dream of living on Lake Vermilion, I would find a way to contribute to its protection and enhancement. I did realize my dream and when I was asked to serve on the board of the Sportsmen's Club in the late 1970s, I gladly accepted the challenge.
My purpose in dragging you along on this trip down memory lane is to demonstrate support for a strong belief I have. There are many ways th at we can all do ou r part to protect Lake Vermilion and our environment in general. The most powerful and effective thing we can probably do, however, is to introduce our young people to this precious resource, make sure it is an inspin'ng experience forthem and teach them by our own good example to respect and protect it. They will grow up to live by and promote our values. I am living proof that it works!
Dale Lundblad, Director
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