articles from May, 1997 newsletter:
President's Message
To make sure this spring issue of "The Vermilion Sportsman" reaches you before the fishing opener, our newsletter committee meets around April 15 to assembie the pages for the printer. We do this at the same time every spring and, like the hopeful early robins hopping in my yard, we take it on faith that the ice will go, the trees will leaf, the grass will grow green, the walleyes will spawn and our loons will return.
Spring also brings two national observances that have special significance for our Sportsmen's Club members. "Volunteer Appreciation Week" is the second week in April and although we appreciate our Sportsmen's Club volunteers every week of the year, we're especially mindful of their generous volunteerism at this time of the year. THANK YOU, Sportsmen's Club volunteers!
Then the 27th anniversary of the first "Earth Day" rolls around on April 22, giving each of us an opportunity to renew our connection with the earth in whatever meaningful way we choose. Fortunately Earth Day is the kind of holiday you can celebrate any day or every day. So whether you plant wildflower seeds or tree seedlings, clean a stretch of roadside or shoreline, or set aside a little corner of your property for critter habitat -- the date doesn't matter, it's the doing that counts.
Your directors note the signs of spring too and they tell us to pick up the pace and get ready for another busy summer. We hope you've had a chance to respond to Barb Shook's letter by renewing your membership for another year. Memberships fund virtually all of the club's projects around the lake and we need and depend on our members to provide the support, encouragement -- and often the manpower -- to get the work done. It's never too late to renew your membership, so please let us hear from you soon. And to those who have sent in their memberships, we send our sincere thanks for your renewed vote of confidence.
And finally, though l'm welcoming spring with open arms, I still think back to a magical night last week when the north sky shimmered with the comet's trail and the northern lights danced above the ice. I stood on my back porch and thought how lucky we are that a stunning night like that comes along occasionally -just to remind us of where we are and why we love to be at the lake.
Paula Bloczynski
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1996 Lake Vermilion CreelSurvey
The Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries, conducted a creel survey on Lake Vermilion during the summer of 1996 and I wanted to take the opportunity to report some of the results to the members of the Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club. Creel survey is a scientific method of obtaining estimates of fishing pressure and fish harvest from a series of boat counts and angler interviews. Creel survey on Lake Vermilion is conducted as part of the state Large Lake Sampling Program, which includes creel surveys for two consecutive years out of every six. The 1996 creel survey was the first of this two-year cycle. Previous creel surveys were done in 1984-85 and 1990-91. In addition to creel surveys, annual fish population assessments are also done on Lake Vermilion.
There were an estimated 399,415 hours of fishing pressure by boat anglers during the summer season (May 11-Sept. 30) in 1996. This was a decline from the fishing pressure observed in 1990 and 1991 and was close to the pressure observed in 1984 and 1985 (see table). Part of the fishing pressure decline can be attributed to ice cover the first week of the fishing season, although other factors were also probably involved.
An estimated 50,900 walleye were harvested by boat anglers during the creel survey period in 1996. The walleye harvest was less than the harvests observed in 1990 and 1991. Harvest for most species was less in 1996 than in 1990 or 1991. The major reason for the decline in harvest was the decline in fishing pressure, less hours of fishing mean less fish caught. Another reason for the decline was poor reproduction for most species in 1992 and 1993. Fish produced in 1992 and 1993 were 3 and 4 years old in 1996, ages that usually comprise a significant portion of the harvest.
The walleye harvest rate for the creel survey period was 0.127 fish/hour fished, similar to the walleye harvest rate in 1991, although lower than the harvest rates in 1984, 1985 and 1990. The harvest rate was the lowest in July (0.054 fish/hour) and the highest in May and September(O.241 and 0.227 fish/hour respectively). The walleye harvest in May-June was dominated by a strong 1991 year class. The walleye harvest in July-September was dominated by a strong 1994 year class. Walleye from the 1994 year class were too small for most anglers to keep early in the season, however, they became more acceptable as they grew during the summer.
I would like to thank everyone who was interviewed on the lake for their cooperation. Being interviewed can be an inconvenience, however, the information collected is important for managing the lake. Creel survey will be repeated in 1997. I would also like to thank the Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club for providing a boat and motor and Shamrock Marina for providing dock space during the survey. If anyone has any questions about the creel survey or Lake Vermilion fish populations, please feel free to contact me at our Ely office.
Duane Williams, Large Lake Specialist
MN DNR Area Fisheries Headquarters
1429 Grant McMahan Blvd.
Ely,MN 55731
218-365-7280
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Large Lake Monitoring
Fisheries workers consider every Minnesota lake important. But some of the state's largest lakes are so productive and popular that they deserve additional attention. The DNR has developed a special program to monitor these large lakes and keep close tabs on their fisheries and on fishing pressure.
Which lakes?
DNR Fisheries began its Large Lake Monitoring Program in 1983. The 11 lakes in the program are:
Lake of the Woods, Winnibigoshish, Cass, Upper Red, Mille Lacs, Leech, Vermilion, Superior, Rainy, Kabetogama and Pepin.
These massive waters account for more than 40 percent of all walleyes taken in Minnesota and make up 45 percent of the 2 million acres of walleye lakes in Minnesota.
Why is this program needed?
For decades, anglers and fisheries workers had only a vague idea of what the fish population structure was like in the state's largest lakes. As a result, fisheries managers did not always know why fishing was good some years and poor in others. Were the poor years due to poor spawning success in previous years, overfishing, or the gradual degradation of spawning habitat? No one knew for sure.
Anglers were especially frustrated. Dennis Schupp, DNR senior fisheries researcher, rernembers when, in 1981, the abundant 1979 year-class at Lake Mille Lacs began showing up as 9- to lO-inchers. Angry anglers, who'd begun calling the lake "McDonald's, Home of the Quarter-Pounder," actually booed when Schupp and his colleagues walked into a public meeting that year.
"Mainly they were angry because they didn't know why the fish were so small, and they didn't believe us when we told them it was an incredible year-class that in a few years would make the fishing fantastic," Schupp recalls.
As Schupp had predicted, those same fish soon grew to catchable 16- to 19-inchers. Then anglers were all smiles -- over the fishing and over the DNR's ability to explain how year-class strength related to fishing success.
Other uses
The DNR monitors the 11 large lakes using nets, electrofishing gear, water chemistry testing, and angler surveys. This provides such information as:
* year-class strength,
* the size and age of fish,
* angling pressure and harvest,
* the appearance of new exotic species.
This information is used by fisheries workers to decide how to protect the valuable fisheries and fish habitat in the large lakes. For example, biologists can figure out whether special regulations are working or not based on careful study of changes in fish populations and angling success from year to year.
Through monitoring, fisheries workers have documented the recovery of the lake sturgeon on the Rainy River watershed and Lake of the Woods, have launched the trophy northern pike management regulation on Lake of the Woods, and have documented critical muskie and northern pike spawning habitats on Mille Lacs Lake and Leech Lake.
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Summary of Lake Vermilion Fish Populations
Lake Vermilion is part of the statewide Large Lake Sampling Program, which includes annual fish population assessments on the 10 largest lakes in Minnesota. The program was started in the early 1980's, when it became apparent the detailed biological information to properly manage these important lakes was not available. A Large Lake Specialist was assigned to each lake to conduct the assessments, analyze the data, and report the results.
A variety of sampling gear is used to collect the various species and life stages. Gill nets are used to sample cisco, northern pike, sucker, bullhead, yellow perch, and walleye. Trap nets are used to sample bluegill and black crappie. Beach seines are used to sample young-of-the-year yellow perch and walleye.
An electrofishing boat is used to sample smallmouth bass and young-of-the-year walleye. Sampling for each gear type is conducted at the same time and place each year in order to determine population trends for the major species. Data is also collected on length, weight, age, and growth for each of the major species.
Creel survey is also conducted on Lake Vermilion as part of the Large Lake Sampling Program. Creel survey is a scientific method to estimate angling pressure and fish harvest based on angler interviews and boat counts. Lake Vermilion is scheduled for creel survey two consecutive years out of every six years. Creel survey was conducted in 1996 and is scheduled for 1997.
The results of the 1996 assessment are presented in the balance of the report. I would encourage anyone with questions or comments to call the Ely Fisheries office at 218-365-7280 or stop by our office for a visit.
Walleye
The walleye gill net catch in the fall of 1996 was 13.2 fish/net, which is slightly above the long term average of 12.2 fish/net. The walleye catch increased in 1995 and 1996 after below average catches in 1993 and 1994. Higher walleye catches in 1995 and 1996 were primarily due to increased numbers of smaller walleye from the 1994 year class.
Age 2 walleye (1994 year class) had the highest gill net catch of any age class and were well above the historical average. The 1994 year class appears to be the strongest produced since 1988. Age 5 walleye (1991 year class) were also sampled well above the historical average. The 1991 year class is a moderately strong year class. The 1992 and 1993 year classes were sampled at a level well below their respective historical average and both are weak year classes. Most fish species had poor reproductive success in 1992 and 1993, possibly due to unusually cool weather in those years.
Walleye anglers in 1997 will likely catch good numbers of smaller walleye from the strong 1994 year class. These fish will be primarily 10-13 inches long at the start of the season. As the summer progresses and the 1994 year class grows, they will become increasingly acceptable to anglers. A moderately strong 1991 year class will provide fair numbers of fish 14-17 inches long, although this year class has been diminished by a couple years of angler harvest. Poor reproduction in 1992 and 1993 means below average numbers of age 4 and 5 walleye will be available, age classes that usually comprise a major portion of the walleye harvest.
Shoreline seining and electrofishing of young-of-the year walleye indicate the 1996 year class has the potential to be about average. Data from our sampling program indicates that growth of young-of-the-year walleye is strongly correlated with year class strength, with slow growing young-of-the-year walleye producing poor year classes and fast growing young-of-the-year walleye producing strong year classes. Growth of young-of-the-year walleye in 1996 was about average. Growth of young-of-the-year walleye in 1995 was the fastest observed since 1988, indicating the 1995 year class has the potential to be a strong year class.
Northern Pike
The 1996 gill net catch of northern pike was 1.4 fish/net, slightly above the historical average of 0.8 fish/net. The northern pike population has been relatively stable over time.
Strong 1994 and 1991 year classes dominated the northern pike catch. Fish from the 1994 year class were primarily 15-22 inches long, while fish from the 1991 year class were primarily 22-30 inches long. Angling prospects for northern pike in 1997 are similar to recent years, although anglers will likely catch more small fish than usual because of the strong 1994 year class.
Muskie
A muskie population assessment was not done in 1996. The next muskie population assessments are scheduled for 1997 on East Vermilion and 1998 on West Vermilion. Muskie population assessments are conducted by setting trap nets shortly after iceout to catch muskie as they seek an area for spawning. Previous muskie assessments in 1993 and 1994 had catches of 0.2 and 0.1 fish/net, which is slightly below normal for muskie lakes in northern Minnesota. As more age classes of muskie mature and become vulnerable to spring trap nets, net catches should increase. Angler reports indicate muskie are continuing to do well with some fish now approaching 50 inches.
Muskie were not native to Lake Vermilion or had disappeared from the lake until they were first stocked in 1969. Stocking of muskie prior to 1987 was sporadic and consisted primarily of Shoepac Lake strain fish. Stocking of Leech Lake strain muskie started in 1987, when it became known that Shoepac Lake strain muskie rarely exceeded 20 pounds. Muskie stocking is now done every other year and the fingerlings are fin-clipped to help assess natural reproduction.
Yellow Perch
The 1996 gill net catch of yellow perch was 29.6 fish/net, near the historical average of 26.3 fish/net. The perch catch recovered from a relatively low catch in 1995. Perch numbers on Lake Vermilion tend to flucuate more than other species. Although perch are not often sought by anglers on Lake Vermilion, they are an important forage species for walleye and northern pike.
Age 2 perch (1994 year class) dominated the gill net catch, although all age classes were well represented. Angling propects for perch are fair, with 17% of the gill net catch 9 inches or longer. On the Big Bay area of the lake, 38% of the perch were 9 inches or longer. Perch in the Big Bay area tend to be larger than in the rest of the lake, possibly because they feed on rusty crayfish that are abundant there. Perch in the Big Bay area also are less likely to be infested with yellow grub.
Bluegill
The 1996 trap net catch of bluegill was 20.7 fish/net similar to catches in recent years and near the historical average of 24.8 fish/net. The bluegill population has stabilized in recent years below the high levels observed in the late 1980's. High bluegill numbers in the late 1980's were due to an exceptionally strong 1983 year class.
Age 5 bluegill (1991 year class) and age 8+ bluegill dominated the catch. Most of the age 8+ bluegill were from the 1988 year class, the strongest year class since an exceptionally strong 1983 year class. Age 3 bluegill (1993 year class) and age 4 bluegill (1992 year class) were poorly represented in the trap net catch and it appears these year classes are well below average. Angling prospects for bluegill in 1997 are good, with high numbers of fish 6-8 inches present.
Black Crappie
The black crappie trap net catch was 1.7 fish/net, slightly above the historical average of 1.5 fish/net. The catch was the highest since 1992. Recent low crappie numbers were due to the declining influence of a strong 1987 year class and the lack of younger strong year classes. Strong 1991 and 1994 year classes have allowed the population to recover.
The catch was dominated by age 2 crappie (1994 year class) and age 5 crappie (1991 year class). The 1994 year class appears to be the strongest in recent years. The 1991 year class is also relatively strong. Crappie apparently had complete reproductive failure in 1992 and 1993, as no fish from those year classes have ever been sampled. Angling prospects for 1997 are fair, since fish from the 1991 year class are now 8-10 inches long. Crappie from the 1994 year class are 6-8 inches 1ong, a little small to contribute to the fishery this summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are not often caught in standard test nets. Therefore, an electrofishing boat is used to sample smallmouth bass for information on abundance, size, and age. The 1996 catch was 26.7 fish/hour of electrofishing, which is similar to the historical average of 26.6 fish/hour. The bass catch recovered after a relatively low catch in 1995. Previous catches indicate the smallmouth population is relatively stable.
The largest age classes of smallmouth bass sampled were age 2 (1994 year class) and age 5 (1991 year class). As with most species, poor year classes were produced in 1992 and 1993. Angling prospects are similar to recent years, although more small bass may be caught to due the strong 1994 year class.
Bullhead
There has been increasing concern in recent years over an apparent increase in the bullhead population. Gill net catches indicate a gradual population increase from the early 1980's until a peak in 1993. The 1996 bullhead catch was 0.2 fish/net, slightly below the historical average. It is not known why the bullhead population has increased on Lake Vermilion, although similar increases have been noted in other northeastern Minnesota lakes.
Rusty crayfish
Rusty crayfish are a species of crayfish native to Illinois and Ohio that were accidentally introduced into the Big Bay area of Lake Vermilion. They have become extremely abundant in the eastern portion of the lake and have become a major nuisance.
They may also cause changes in the ecology of the lake. Stands of aquatic vegetation may be diminished or destroyed, which can cause changes to the fish community. It appears that aquatic vegetation is being reduced in the portion of the lake that has been colonized, although no major changes in the fish community have yet been observed. Rusty crayfish are also known to reduce the population of aquatic insects, particularly mayflies, which are an important food item for walleye and other fish species. Changes in water quality are also possible as rusty crayfish disrupt the nutrient recycling process of the lake.
There is no practical method of reducing the population of rusty crayfish. Trapping and removal has been largely unsuccessful on lakes in Wisconsin. The reproductive capacity of the rusty crayfish exceeds the amount of crayfish that can be practically removed by trapping. The use of toxicants to kill the crayfish would cause excessive environmental damage and be prohibitively expensive. The rusty crayfish population will probably decline eventually without intervention. The process of colonization by an exotic species is usually an explosive growth in numbers followed by a gradual decline to a more sustainable population level. On some Wisconsin lakes, a decline in the population of rusty crayfish has occured along with a partial recovery of the aquatic vegetation. The most important strategy for managing rusty crayfish is to prevent their spread to other lakes.
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Septic Systems Revealed
There is a 23-minute video and homeowner's guide titled "Septic Systems Revealed" which focuses on the proper maintenance and operation of on-site wastewater treatment systems. The North St. Louis SWCD was promoting this video at the Environmental Awareness Fair, held at the Thunderbird Mall, on Saturday, March 15.
The video highlights:
* the importance of regular pumping
* household water conservation tips
* selection and use of household products
* troubleshooting
The guide covers:
* safety and health
* how an on-site system works
* maintenance and care
* how to calculate pumping frequency for your system
The video and guide are available through the University of Minnesota's Extension Distribution Services Office by calling (612) 624-4900 or 1-800-876-8636. The video and guide package can also be purchased for $20 by mail order. Make checks payable to the: University of Minnesota
and mail your request for item #ET-67690F1 to the
MES Distribution Center, University of MN
1420 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN
55108-6069
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A Special Thank You ...
A very special thank you to the family and friends of Evelyn Everhart ... a long-time member of the Club. A total of $500 was given and we shall put that amount in the scholarship fund in her memory.
Also we wish to express our appreciation to many of you who have given an extra donation to the Club in addition to your dues for the year: R. Kronholm, F. Longfellow, S. Hildestad, R. Sampson, B.I.C. Realty, J. Wagner, T.G. Johnson, K. Grosshauser, R.E. Paul, D. Lisowski, B. Dunn, R.J. Poor, R.C. Zier, M. Pashalek, J. Zubert, R.P. Indihar, Vermilion Dam, R. Rafter, T. Bartoz, D.A. Fredricks, Mary Hill, J. Stamy, J.D. McPeak, D.W. Anderson, D.J. McKinney, J.
Cownie, J. Bolda (memory of Clem and Mary), C. Mars, S. Lipton, Roy Holmgren, Voyageur Cove Resort, P.J. Molinaro.
We sincerely appreciate these gifts.
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Scientific Study on Mercury Good News for Minnesota Lakes
One of the most important functions of The Sportsmen's Club is to monitor environmental hazards which could affect Lake Vermilion and Club members.
Mercury contamination is one such hazard. Minnesota officials have called mercury the state's most serious environmental health problem, recently replacing acid rain.
Why is mercury a problem? Mercury is released into the air when materials such as coal, wood, garbage or medical wastes are burned. Some comes from natural sources like volcanoes and disintegrating rock. Some of that mercury becomes a toxic form when it falls to earth. Unlike many pollutants that dissipate, mercury never breaks down. Much of it settles in sediments or evaporates back into the air, continuing the cycle. The mercury that falls from the atmosphere is not yet in a toxic form. Research seems to be showing that mercury becomes toxic or "methalized" in connection with the organic breakdown in wetlands, which, in turn, empty into our lakes. Ironically, the same organic breakdown that made Minnesota lakes like Vermilion, mostly immune to acid rain, could be making them more sensitive to mercury. Eventually some mercury ends up in small plants, animals and fish, and then is consumed by predators like otters, loons, eagles and people. Mercury collects in the higher life forms. Over time, in high doses, it can cause serious prenatal and neurological disorders, kidney and liver damage, gradual loss of feeling and other senses, stupor, coma and even death.
Minnesota has issued health advisories for hundreds of lakes, warning people to limit or not eat meals of fish from those lakes because of mercury contamination.
Lake Vermilion has much lower levels of contamination than most lakes, but people, especially pregnant women and children, are advised to limit their consumption of walleye and northern pike, especially larger, older fish which contain the most mercury. (See Fish Consumption Advisory)
The recently released study, conducted by two Minnesota scientists, Edward Swain and Daniel Engstrom, resulted from the analysis of core samples from 13 Minnesota and three Alaska lakes. Their data shows that although the amount of toxic mercury pouring into the global atmosphere continues to increase, mercury in Minnesota lakes appears to have peaked in 1979 and then started a dramatic decline. The study also is the first to show that up to 40 percent of the mercury that falls on Minnesota, comes from sources close to home.
This is very important because it supports efforts for stricter state and federal mercury regulations and it shows that we as citizens can have an impact on reducing the amount of toxic mercury in our lakes and in the fish we take from them.
Since, historically, the burning of coal has been cited as the major source of mercury in the atmosphere, the decline seems to follow the switch to cleaner, western coal being burned in efficient power plants with tall smokestacks and pollution control equipment. There are also hundreds of tons less mercury going into the environment since mercury-laden fungicides were banned in paint, pulp and paper production, farming and golf courses. Reductions in mercury for dental uses, pharmaceuticals and control instruments such as thermostats have also contributed to the decline. U.S. industrial use of mercury peaked in the 1960s at nearly 3,000 metric tons annually. By 1990 it had dropped to about 600 metric tons. The decline in regional mercury pollution ciosely reflected this trend.
Since 1990 Minnesota has passed strict laws on recycling mercury in consumer items like fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, switches and old latex paint and batteries (pre-1990). Experts, however, say that more needs to be done to take mercury out of products before they are used. That may mean consumers may have to pay more for their electricity, for example, and to get rid of unwanted medical waste and household trash.
This is where we as citizens and Sportsmen's Club members can make a difference. While it may sometimes seem prudent to opt for the "easy" or "cheap" way to dispose of items containing mercury, we can choose to dispose of them correctly by taking them to our area transfer station and placing them in a specially designated container. We can also choose to support local, state and federal legislation designed to reduce the amount of mercury in the environment, even if it means slightly higher energy or consumer product costs. No one likes the idea of paying more for anything, but in the case of toxic mercury, the choice may well be one of paying now or paying later, with the health of our children and of the environment.
*This article based upon information contained in an article which appeared in the Duluth News-Tribune 3/27/97.
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Membership Notes
Our sincere thanks to those of you who have already "answered the call" and sent in your dues for the current year. If you have forgotten or misplaced the billing letter, do us a favor and double check. We do have some projects to complete and fund for the year and we need all of you!!
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Personal Watercraft Survey Results
Due to complaints about Personal Watercraft (aka Jetski, Seadoo, Waverunner, etc.), the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion polled its members in its December issue of "The Vermilion Sportsman" newsletter. The Club took a neutral position on the issue pending the outcome of the poll. A substantial number of Club members completed and mailed in the poll. The results were as follows:
1). Is there a P.W.C. problem on Lake Vermilion?
- 14% Do not feel there is a problem, no action needed.
- 28% Feel there is reason for concern, ongoing vigilance
- 58% Feel there is a problem requiring immediate Club action.
2.) What is the nature of the P.W.C. problem?
- 27% Excessive, irritating noise
- 23% Too close to shore, docks, swimmers
- 14% Inconsiderate or reckiess operation
- 12% Illegal operation
- 10% Danger to loons and other waterfowl
- 14% Other
3.) What action should be taken to address the problem?
- 19% Increase enforcement bf existing laws
- 19% Educate P.W.C. operators (especially those renting)
- 14% Lobby legislators to pass more restrictive laws
- 14% Legally ban P.W.C.s from Lake Vermilion
- 9% Lobby manufacturers to design quieter machines, promote safety
- 9% Discourage rentals of P.W.C.s
- 14% Other
The Sportsmen's Club board members have analyzed poll results and are working to determine what realistic courses of action are available to address this issue. All agree, however, that education of P.W.C. operators is likely to be one of the most effective ways to change the behavior that so many of our members find objectionable. Local P.W.C. dealers have been contacted and are very supportive of promoting education and safety. They have offered to help us involve the manufacturers in cooperative P.W.C. training and safety programs. Perhaps in working directly with the manufacturers, the Club can also influence them to design quieter, safer watercraft.
Perhaps the best course of action for Ciub members who are concerned about P.W.C.s is to familiarize themselves with P.W.C. laws. They can then recognize actual violations and report them to enforcement by calling 911. Because this P.W.C. effort is in its developmental stages, input from our members and the community is welcome and appreciated.
-- Dale Lundblad - Director
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LOON FACTS
Information contained in this article is from Carroll Henderson - DNR, and Sigurd Olson Environmental institute in Ashland, Wisconsin.
- Have dense body bones which allows them to dive to depths of 200 feet for 5-10 minutes.
- Powerful flyers. Pilots have clocked them at 80 miles per hour.
- Approximately 25 inches tall and weigh between 8 and 11 pounds. Wing spread of 5 feet.
- Walking on land difficult because feet are positioned behind balance point for stronger navigation in water.
- Red eyes have red pigment in retina to filter light and allows them to see underwater.
- Males and females are identical in appearance.
- Loons are territorial birds. Usually one pair to a small lake. On big lakes, one pair to a bay or area.
- They generally return to their same territory.
- Average arrival date in Minnesota is April 23.
- May live 20 years or more.
- Large gatherings in summer is social preparation for migrating.
- When loons from Minnesota go south it is believed they go to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Have salt gland under the skin above each eye which allows them to change body physiology from fresh water to salt water environment.
- Female lays one to two olive green eggs in mid-May. Rarely 3 eggs.
- Adult loons seldom killed by predators. Loon eggs vulnerable to skunks, raccoons, foxes, gulls, crows and ravens, northern pike and muskies, so prefer to lay eggs on islands and small weedy outcroppings.
- Pollution of all kinds and human harassment threaten loons.
- Loon nests built within inches of water (hard to walk on land) composed of reeds, sticks, grasses and muddy vegetation. Because of shoreline development, nesting sites decreasing.
- Have four distinct calls: wail, tremelo, yodel and hoot.
- - Wail most frequent, when separated from mate or chick.
- - Tremelo (laugh) aggressive response when disturbed by boater, predator.
- - Yodel, aggressive (only by males) during confrontation.
- - Hoot - call for curiosity or happiness.
- Chicks ride on back when young to protect from aggressors above and below; conserves energy and body heat.
- When chicks migrate it can take the young birds at least two, sometimes three years before they return here.
Compiled by Mardy Jackson Vermilion Loon Count Coordinator
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A Bit of History - The Boatman of Tower
by Claude Lundmark with Mary Lundmark
The "Mary Belle" was a Lake Vermilion steamer that travelled the lake during the early years of this century. She was owned by my grandfather, Captain Ed Osterberg of Tower, Minn. The largest boat ever to sail the lake, the Mary Belle was 66' long and had its own lifeboats. It was the heyday of steamships, and the Mary Belle was a real beauty.
Originally a Lake Michigan steamer, Ed brought her from Ontonagon, Mich., to Tower on two railroad cars, and she sailed Lake Vermilion as an excursion liner from 1910 to 1916 or 17. There were problems from the very beginning. The boat had a 6' "draw," and could not load at most docks. The East Two River was dredged to allow clearance for the Mary Belle. Still, she made regular runs from Tower to Cook.
Captain Ed also owned another boat, the "Olive," named after one of his daughters. The Qlive was a 42' all-purpose boat which he had been running since 1901.
At the time, there were three large lumber companies in Tower, and the Qlive rafted lumber to Tower from all around Lake Vermilion. She also carried supplies, hauled barges of livestock, ferried homesteaders to Cook, for destinations in the Orr and International Falls areas, and provided scenic cruises to thousands.
Captain Ed was a Swedish immigrant who came to the U.S. in the late 1880s. As a child, I heard the story of how he had walked from Duluth to Tower on the old Vermilion Trail. In his native Sweden, he had been a machinist, and quickly secured a job in the mine in Soudan. In the early 1900s, though, he started his own business, a diamond drill operation that allowed him to drill "test holes" all over the Range, looking for high quality iron ore. During the winter, Ed punched holes in the Vermilion, Mesabi and Cuyuna ranges; and during the summer, he ran his boats on the lake.
In 1917, Captain Ed became ill and died, and the Mary Belle "died" with him. His eldest son, Bill, was fighting WWI in France, and Ed's only other son was still a child, so there was no one to take over. When Bill returned, he ran the Olive for a few years, but gasoline engines were replacing steamers and the improving roads made lake and river transport decreasingly necessary, and Bill eventually gave up the business.
Sometime in the 1880s, Ed had married my grandmother, Amanda. My mother, Emily, born in 1895, was the sixth of their 10 children. Emily married a Virginia man, Charles Lundmark, and they had my brother Bill and me. In the 1940s, my dad purchased two lots on Lake Vermilion, located on Birch Point, facing Daisy Bay, continuing the connection of the family to the lake.
Today, I am retired. My wonderful wife, Janet, and I live in Virginia, but go often to the cabin. We have two adult children, Mary and David. Both love Lake Vermilion as much as I do. Mary and her husband live in Minneapolis, but come to the lake whenever they can. Dave and his family live in Virginia, and spend as much time as possible at the cabin.
There are more of Captain Ed's descendants on Lake Vermilion, as well. Ruth Murphy, Ed's granddaughter and my cousin, lives on Birch Point, and her daughter, Pat Borgstrom, and her family also live on the lake.
We are proud of our family's history on Lake Vermilion. The lake is a member of the family, and it is a tradition we hope to pass down for generations to come.
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How's Our Web Site Doing?
As you know, last Fall the Board of Directors contracted with Eagle One Productions to produce, maintain and host a web site on the internet for the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion. Just before the first of the year the site was announced. It can be found on the web as a link on the popular www.LakeVermilion.com Home Page.
Out of curiosity, Rick Pearson installed a server-log on the Club's Home Page just to see what kind of activity it was getting from people either surfing the web or Club members checking out their site. The server-log is a program that runs in the background of the computer hosting the web site and keeps track of all the pages asked for by people viewing the site.
The server-log was started late on the 7th of February and ran thru noon on the 18th of March. During that time these numbers were recorded:
- - 727 people looked at our Home Page; (that averages over 18 people
a day)
- - 193 people looked at information on our navigational lights;
- - 184 people looked at information on our loon count;
- - 179 people looked at information on our shore lunch sites;
- - 175 people looked at copies of our newsletters;
- - 118 people looked at information on our water testing program;
- - plus a lot of "looks" at other pages on our site.
It seems that a lot of people are interested in what our Club has been and is doing for Lake Vermilion. Have you checked it out? It's easy to find on the web. Just type in http://www.LakeVermilion.com , scroll down the page, and click on the mention of the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion. When you get there and have given it a look, let us know what you think via e-mail where it asks you to "E-MAIL COMMENTS HERE." Lets hear what you have to say.
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IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT NEXT SUMMER...
Lowering Lawn mainteniance Care
Do you remember why you came to the lake--the natural beauty?
Peacefulness? The water? A place to get away from it all?
So why muck up all that with massive amounb of lawn maintenance? Admittedly, most of us wish we had more time at the lake without all the lawn care, painting, and upkeep. The purpose of this article is to discuss how to limit maintenance time and costs on that good old lawn.
Idea Number I: The natural look. The easiest way to decrease lawn maintenance is to simply let a larger portion of it grow wild. The birds won't care; the insects won't care, except about the birds; the lawn mower won't care; and if you can accept the natural appearance, you won't care. More and more people are letting their lawns grow wild. It may be as simple as letting an area grow back up to natural vegetation or mowing less grass near the border areas of the lawn.
Idea II: A variation of Idea Number I--limit the lawn area to an "as needed amount." Leave only enough to run the toes through and keep potential fire hazards at bay. More native vegetation, trees, and shrubs all decrease human made sounds, enhance privacy, and provide habitat for songbirds and other wildlife. Try to allow for isiands of native vegetation. These islands act as shields for the cabin or home. Never mow grass over the roots of aspen. They need cool, shaded roots to survive and grow.
Idea III: Have areas of islands of fiowers and shrubs. Again, the idea is to decrease the amount of lawn with other vegetation that doesn't demand much upkeep or time. Flowers along foundations or islands of flowers and shrubs can do the trick. Flowers add color!
Idea IV: The lawn. Now that we have decreased the amount of lawn, what about maintaining the lawn we have? The following are ideas on decreasing time and maintenance and sustaining a healthier lawn:
Let grass grow taller. Why do this? When you cut grass too short, regrowth comes from the root's stored energy instead of through the process of photosynthesis. Using the stored energy in the roots weakens the plant, allowing weeds or nongrass species to compete with and outgrow the grass. When regrowth comes from photosynthesis the grass blades grow longer and thus gather more energy from the sun.
Fertilize in September. Photosynthesis increases at this time and nitrogen is needed in the cell structure during the process. Nitrogen fertilizer makes grass thicken and grow. During this time the lateral growth of the root rhizomes spread to thicken the sod. Root depth increases as the length of top growth increases, making a stronger plant that can compete with weeds. Apply one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. One pound of actual nitrogen is approximately two pounds of 46-0-0 or three pounds of 34-0-0. Stay approximately 75 feet from the lake shore. Slow release-type nitrogen fertilizers are superior and should be given priority. It's best to apply before a light rain.
Phosphorus: Most lawns do not need phosphorus because most soils contain adequate levels. By keeping grass clippings on the lawn, phosphorus is returned and recycled. Adding extra phosphopus when it is not needed creates the potentiai for runoff and can be detrimental to lake quality.
Try soil testing before adding chemicals to your lawn. Your local University of Minnesota Extension Service office can give you information on soil testing.
Grass clippings and nitrogen: Leaving one summers worth of grass clippings on your lawn can replace all the phosphorus and recycle approximately one pound of nitrogen back into the growing grass. Keep lawn clippings out of the water. They add unnecessary nutrients to the water.
Let your grass grow along the water's edge to a height of 4 to 5 inches. This is called a buffer strip. It prevents runoff and erosion. Make this filter strip 15 to 20 feet deep and cut it infrequently.
By Kendall Dykhuis,
St. Louis County Extension Office
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Buoy Placement and Maintenance
To report any buoys missing or having drifted off mark, please call any of the following numbers:
Fred Smith - Tower
#1 -- 753-6723 (Home)
#2 -- 753-6004 (Pier #77)
#3 -- 343-4457 (Cellular)
These numbers are valid from opening of fishing to September 15, 10 a.m. until dusk.
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