articles from May, 1999 newsletter:
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President's Message
Welcome back to Lake Vermilion for the beginning of another summer season. We look forward to
renewing friendships and many days of fishing. Those who stayed over this past winter enjoyed
very nice winter weather.
Your Sportsmen's Club board of directors has been meeting regularly throughout the winter
months. We look forward to your participation in several projects throughout the summer.
The board has received, with appreciation, two very generous and unsolicited gifts from
two of our members: Ms. Frankie Longfellow has generously provided for the major funding
of a dock for a new picnic area. We have been actively seeking an available location.
Please call one of the board members if you can help us. The current day-use picnic areas
are very popular. Mr. Ed Woolverton has generously provided funding for expansion of our
water quality research and ongoing water sampling project. By collecting meaningful data
we can better monitor the human impact on our beautiful lake. We have identified several
locations of suspected contamination. This year we will try to gather more information,
including nitrogen and phosphorus levels. I have also been in contact with several
concerned members. We appreciate your concem. Please consider a monetary gift to the
club so that we can maintain our efforts and help assure the environmental quality of
our lovely lake.
This summer we plan to experiment with solar powered navigation lights. We want to
continue the navigation lights which add greatly to the boating enjoyment of our members.
We are very appreciative of all the volunteers who make our various projects successful.
Thank you very much. An appreciation dinner was well attended and enjoyed by everyone.
The next annual Meeting is scheduled forAugust 14, 1999, at Fortune Bay convention center.
Please mark your calendars now. This is your club and we need your support.
Please contact me if you have any comments or concerns. Please do not forget to visit
our web site at: www.lakevermilion.com/SCLV/index.html.
Willis Irons
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Hazard Buoys on Lake Vermilion - YOU CAN HELP!
We are very fortunate Lake Vermilion is one of the few lakes in St. Louis County which is
provided with hazard and channel marker buoys. The white hazard buoys not only mark hazards
to navigation, they each have identifying numbers on them which correspond to a readily
available navigation map.
While these buoys are accurately placed in the spring, they can often be moved by wave
action or lost due to storms or boaters tying up to them and accidentally moving them
into deeper water. If you are familiar with the location of a hazard buoy and observe
that it is missing or has moved from its proper location, it is important you report
it immediately! According to St. Louis County officials, who administer the buoying
program, the most effective way to do this is to CALL 911. They will then notify
the buoy contractor on Lake Vermilion who is obligated to correct the problem within 24 hours.
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Lake Vermilion Walleye Eggs to be Used for Red Lake Recovery Plan
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians have
developed a recovery plan to rehabilitate the walleye population of the Red Lakes in
Northwestern Minnesota. Many years of overfishing by commercial, sport and subsistence
users have resulted in the collapse of the walleye population. The Red Lake Fisheries
Technical Committee was formed to develop a short-term recovery plan and a long-term
management plan. The Technical Committee is comprised of experts from the DNR, the
Red Lake Band, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Minnesota and
the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The recovery plan was developed with input from the
Red Lake Citizens Advisory Committee, which included representation by the Sportsmen's
Club of Lake Vermilion and the Lake Vermilion Resort Association. It was expected the
DNR and Red Lake Band will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOW) outlining the
recovery plan in early April. The DNR manages 48,000 acres of Upper Red Lake for sport
angling. The remainder of Upper Red Lake and all of Lower Red Lake are within the
Red Lake Indian Reservation.
An important component of the recovery plan is a short term stocking effort using walleye
eggs from the Pike River Hatchery on Lake Vermilion. Pike River eggs will be used because
Lake Vermilion walleye are genetically similar to Red Lake walleye, which was considered
essential by the Technical Committee. Stocking will be stopped permanently when natural
reproduction is sufficient to sustain the population or if five stocking attempts fail
to produce a strong year class. The Red Lake Band through the Bureau of Indian Affairs
will reimburse the DNR for most of the cost of the eggs provided. The recovery plan also
dictates no walleye harvest by commercial, sport or subsistence users until the population
has recovered. When the walleye population has recovered, harvest will be regulated by
quotas to prevent over-harvest and insure the long-term sustainability of the population.
Another important component of the recovery plan is an aggressive enforcement effort by
both the DNR and the Red Lake Band.
Providing walleye eggs for the recovery effort will have little effect on operations at
the Pike River Hatchery. The highest priority use for Pike River walleye eggs will
continue to be lakes within the Hudson Bay drainage in Northeastern Minnesota,
including Lake Vermilion. The 500 quarts of eggs needed for the recovery plan will
come from quotas that were previously shipped to hatcheries in Southern Minnesota.
The DNR will then frap other walleye runs to provide eggs for hatcheries that
previously got eggs from the Pike River Hatchery.
Shipment of eggs from the Pike River Hatchery does not impact the walleye population of
Lake Vermilion. Walleye trapped at the Pike River Hatchery comprise about 5 percent of
the total spawning population, with most walleye spawning on shoreline shoals and
off-shore reefs. Natural reproduction accounts for most of the walleye population
in Lake Vermilion. Stocking is probably not necessary to maintain the walleye population
in Lake Vermilion, however, it is policy to return a minimum of 10 percent of the eggs
taken at egg-take sites back into the parent lake as fry. Lake Vermilion is stocked
each year with between 10 million and 20 million walleye fry. Any additional stocking
would be beyond the capacity of the lake to sustain and would add nothing to the population.
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Trout Lake Portage will be Operating again this Summer
The portage between Lake Vermilion and Trout Lake will be operated by motorized means this summer,
beginning May 14. Jim Zak of Lake Vermilion has been awarded the concession to operate the
portage by ATV and boat trailer. The fee at Trout Lake portage will be $15 per boat one
way or $25 for a round trip. Hours will be from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
seven days a week. The portage service will assist with accommodations for persons
with disabilities.
Use of motorized transport at three portages (including the Trout Lake portage), all
located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, has been banned since 1993 as
the result of a 1992 federal court order. Since the ban took effect, boaters and
fishermen have had to use portage wheels or carts to transport their boats. Five
years ago, the U.S. Forest Service awarded the Trout Lake portage concession contract
to an operator using sled dogs, but for the past four years the portage has not been operated.
Last year MN U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar amended the federal transportation bill to include a
provision that would allow truck portages to operate within the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness. This year officials at the Superior National Forest approved a plan to
allow trucks to haul boats between four lakes: Lake Vermilion and Trout Lake; Sucker
and Basswood Lakes.
LaTourell's Inc. will operate the Prairie portage between Sucker and Basswood Lakes.
The Four-Mile portage will continue to be non-motorized.
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Status of Fish Populations in Lake Vermilion
By Duane Williams, Large Lake Specialist for Lake Vermilion
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries.
Phone No. 218-365-7280
Lake Vermilion is part of the statewide Large Lake Program, which includes annual fish population
assessments on the 10 1argest lakes in Minnesota, A variety of sampling gear including gillnets,
trapnets, seines and an electrofishing boat are 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 determine population trends for the major species. Data is also collected on
length, weight, age and growth for each of the major species. A summary of the 1998 fish
population assessment on Lake Vermilion is presented in the balance of this report. I
encourage anyone with questions about fish populations in Lake Vermilion to call me or
stop by our Ely office for a visit.
The assessment gillnet catch of walleye in the fall of 1998 was 15.8 fish per net, the highest
catch since the Large Lake Program began in 1984. It was the third straight year of above-average
walleye catches. Recent high walleye catches were due to the presence of strong 1994 and 1995
year classes. Fishing prospects for walleye in 1999 are above average, with good numbers of
walleye available to anglers from the strong 1994 and 1995 year classes. Walleye from the
1994 year class will be primarily 14-17 inches long at the start of the fishing season,
while walleye from the 1995 year class will be 12-15 inches long. Beach seining and
electrofishing indicate the 1997 and 1998 year classes should be at least average and
possibly above average.
The 1998 gillnet catch of northern pike was 1.0 fish/ net, which is also the historical average.
The northern pike population has historically been relatively stable without much annual
fluctuation. The 1995 and 1994 year classes both appear to be stronger than average. Most
fish from the 1995 and 1994 year classes will be 22-28 inches long at the beginning of the
1999 fishing season, sizes that are acceptable to most anglers. Angling success for northern
pike in 1999 should be about average.
Muskie population assessments are done once every four years on Lake Vermilion. Due to the
large size of the lake, assessments for East Vermilion and West Vermilion are done in different
years. Muskie population assessments are conducted by setting trapnets shortly after ice-out
to catch mature muskie seeking areas to spawn. The 1998 muskie trapnet catch for West
Vermilion was 0.2 fish/net. The 1998 muskie catch was higher than the 1994 catch, which
was expected because more age classes of stocked muskie would have matured and been
vulnerable to spring trapnets. Most of the muskie sampled were 38-44 inches long. The
largest individual muskie caught was 49.2 inches long. The muskie population in Lake
Vermilion appears to be responding well to an intensive stocking program that started in
1987. Reports from anglers and resorts indicate the muskie population is doing well,
with the larger fish now over 50 inches long.
The 1998 gillnet catch of yellow perch was 28.8 fish/net, which is near the historical
average. Perch populations have been relatively stable in recent years at a level near
the historical average. The 1996 and 1994 year classes are both stronger than average.
Anglers who are seeking perch should find good fishing in 1999. Larger perch are available
in the Big Bay area of the lake, where 42 percent of the perch sampled were 9 inches or
longer. Perch in the Big Bay area tend to be larger than those in other areas of the
lake, possibly because they feed on rusty crayfish that are abundant in that area of
the lake. Perch in the Big Bay area are also less likely to be infested with yellow grub.
The 1998 trapnet catch of bluegill was 33.5 fish/net, slightly above the historical average
and the highest catch since 1989. The bluegill catch was much higher on West Vermilion
than on East Vermilion. Increased bluegill numbers are due primarily to an exceptionally
strong 1995 year class. Bluegill anglers can expect good fishing in 1999, with fair
numbers of 7-8 inch fish present from strong 1988,1989 and 1991 year classes. Anglers
can also expect to catch large numbers of small blueglil (4-6 inches) from the strong
1995 year class.
The 1998 black crappie trapnet catch was 3.4 fish/ net, the highest catch since trapnet
assessments began in 1987. The high crappie catch was due to the presence of strong
1997 and 1995 year classes. The 1994 year class is also moderately strong. The crappie
population had been at a relatively low level for several years. Angling prospects for
1999 are improved over recent years, with fair numbers of crappie 9-11 inches long
available from the 1994 and 1995 year classes. Later in the summer anglers can expect
to start catching small crappies from the strong 1997 year class.
Smallmouth bass are seldom caught in standard test nets, therefore an electrofishing boat
is used to sample smallmouth bass and collect information on abundance, size and age.
The 1998 catch was 24.8 fish/hour of electrofishing, which is near the historical average.
The 1995 and 1994 year classes are both above average and it appears the 1996 year class
will be above average as well. Angling prospects for 1999 are about average, although
anglers may catch more small fish than usual from strong 1995 and 1994 year classes.
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Potential Experimental Regulations for Lake Vermilion
Duane WilliamsDNR Large Lake Specialist
Over the last several years there has been increasing interest in experimental regulations
for walleye on Lake Vermilion. In the fall of 1998 the Lake Vermilion Resort Association (LVRA)
and the board of directors of the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion
(SCLV) requested the DNR to investigate the potential for an experimental regulation that would
improve the size structure of the walleye population. The process for establishing experimental
regulations was presented in the December 1998 newsletter. Developing experimental regulations
is a lengthy, deliberate process involving extensive review within the DNR and by the general
public.
After meeting with the LVRA and SCLV it was decided the goal of a potential regulation would be
to significantly increase the numbers of walleye over 17 inches long. Because the walleye
population is basically in good shape, the DNR considers a regulation to improve the size
structure of the population as an optional management activity. For the DNR to support this
type of experimental regulation, there would have to be broad support by both the LVRA and
SCLV as well as broad support by the general public. The DNR would oppose any "feel
good" type of regulation that would have no biological effect on the population. If the
LVRA, SCLV and DNR come to agreement on a potential regulation, a formal experimental regulations
proposal will be developed and submitted. There would then be extensive review within the DNR
as well as public meetings. If the proposed regulation receives broad public support and is
approved by senior DNR managers, the regulation could then be implemented. The earliest a
regulation could be implemented would be the year 2001.
An experimental regulation must be developed specifically for an individual lake, because
lakes have different biological and physical characteristics. A regulation that works on
one lake will not necessarily work on another lake. One of the primary tools used to select
appropriate regulations is a computer model of the population. A computer model uses all
the pertinent population characteristics and interactions to mimic what occurs within
the population. The model allows fisheries managers to predict the effects of an experimental
regulation as well as the potential success of a regulation: The Fisheries Research Section
of the DNR developed a computer model of the Lake Vermilion walleye population using data
from population assessments and creel surveys conducted under the Large Lake Program.
Different regulations were then modeled to see which potential regulations would meet
the goal of significantly increasing the numbers of walleye over 17 inches in the population.
Significantly increasing the numbers of walleye over 17 inches proved to be unrealistic
so the goal was changed to significantly increase the number of walleye over 15 inches.
A joint meeting of the LVRA and SCLV was held on April 12, 1999, where the initial results
of the computer modeling was presented by the DNR. The modeling indicated the slow growth
of Lake Vermilion walleye would be a major impediment to changing the size structure of
the population. The following information is a summary of what was presented at the April
12 meeting.
Background
Information on walleye growth, mortality, reproduction and fishing that was collected by
standard lake assessments and creel surveys was analyzed and described using mathematical
equations. These equations were then linked together to mimic the behavior of the Lake
Vermilion walleye fishery. We then used this model to examine the potential effects of
different.fishing regulations. Because walleye fisheries are so dynamic due to natural
fluctuation in population characteristics and interactions between the various key
population parameters (growth, mortality, reproduction and fishing) we evaluated the
different fishing regulations under a variety of scenarios to see how different population
conditions might affect the performance of the regulations. We looked at the six different
scenarios which included two different ranges of natural mortality (a moderate level and
a higher level) and three different levels of density dependent growth (no density
dependent growth, moderate density dependent growth and higher density dependent growth).
Under the no density dependent growth scenario growth rates remain constant regardless of
how the population changes. Under the other two growth scenarios, growth rates change
in response to changes in the population size. When the population decreases, growth
rates increase, and when the population increases, growth rates decrease. To get an
idea of what type of potential regulations might work we looked at the size distribution
of the current harvest and what portion of the current harvest would be excluded by
various regulations. For example, a 15-inch minimum size regulation would exclude
approximately 70 percent of the current harvest, a 14-inch minimum would exclude about
50 percent of the current harvest, a 14- to 18-inch protected slot would exclude about
45 percent of the current harvest. Less restrictive regulations such as a 17- to 25-inch
protected slot (like the regulation on Rainy Lake) and a 13- to 17-inch fishable slot (like
the regulation on Kabetogama Lake) would only exclude about 7 percent and 30 percent of
the current harvest, respectively. These less restrictive regulations would probably not
have significant impact on the size structure of Lake Vermilion because they would not
protect a large enough portion of the population.
Results
Tables 1 through 7 give our initial modeling results. The model was used to evaluate the
effects of the regulation under hundreds of different combinations of input parameters in
order to get an idea of the potential effects of natural fluctuation in population
characteristics and interactions between population characteristics. As a result, the
information presented in these tables represents the long-term population response that
is most likely to occur under the various regulation scenarios. Tables 1 - 3 are the
results for a moderate level of natural mortality and the three levels of density dependent
growth (East Basin). Tables 4-6 are the results for a higher level of natural mortality and
the three different growth scenarios (East Basin). Table 7 is for a moderate level of natural
mortality and no density dependent growth response (West Basin). The first column in the
table is the regulation type. The current statewide regulation is referred to as the baseline.
The second column is the number of walleye per acre in the population that are greater than
15 inches. The values in parentheses are the percent increases in walleye greater than 15
inches under the given regulations. The third column is the pounds of walleye harvested per
acre underthe given regulation. The values in parentheses are the percent reductions in pounds
harvested under the given regulation. The fourth column is the average size in inches of
walleye harvested under the given regulation.
Under all scenarios for the East Basin the 15-inch minimum resulted in the highest potential
increases in the number of walleye greater than 15 inches (24-36 percent increase). In
addition, the 15-inch minimum resulted in about a 25-30 percent increase in the number of
walleye over 15 inches harvested. The total number of fish caught did not change, but the
total number of walleye harvested did decline. The total pounds of fish harvested did not
change significantly because larger fish were harvested which compensated for the reduced
total number of fish harvested. The 14-inch minimum was about one-half as effective as the
15-inch minimum resulting in a 13 percent increase in the number of walleye greater than
15 inches and no change in the pounds harvested. The 14to 18-inch protected slot resulted
in the second highest potential increase in the number of walleye greater than 15 inches
(12-30 percent increase). This regulation, however, resulted in significant reductions in
the pounds of walleye harvested (16-36 percent reduction) and significant reductions in
the number of walleye greater than 15 inches harvested (50-65 percent reduction). The
17- to 25-inch protected slot, the 13- to17-inch fishable slot and the 15- to 18-inch
protected slot did not have any measurable effect of walleye population size structure.
In the West Basin where growth is faster and a higher proportion of the population is
already greater than 15 inches a 15-inch minimum and 14- to 18-inch protected slot both
resulted in about a 15 percent increase in a number of walleye greater than 15 inches and
neither regulation reduced the pounds of walleye harvested.
We also took a look at how long it might take a 15inch minimum to have an effect on the size
structure of the population that we would be able to detect with our sampling. Figures 1
and 2 show the potential time line for changes in the population and harvest. In figure
1 'pre' is where we are now and regulation is implemented in year 1. The solid line
(middle line) shows the average population response and the two dashed lines show how much
that response might vary due to natural variability in the population. It appears that the
population would be in a transition state for about five years after the regulation is put
in place. Also, because of the high level of natural variability in the population it might
take as long as 15 to 20 years before we have enough data to determine if the regulation
has really made a difference in the population size structure. Figure 2 indicates that
initially afterthe regulation is put in place that there would be a decrease in the pounds
of walleye harvested, but after about five years the pounds harvested would return to normal
levels due to a shift in the population size structure even though fewer total fish would
be harvested.
Table 1
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.7 |
1.9 |
14.1 |
| 15in Minimum |
2.1 (24%) |
1.9 (0%) |
16.6 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.9 (12%) |
1.6 (16%) |
13.8 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.9 (12%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.9 |
| 17-25 in Protected slot |
1.7 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
13.7 |
| 13-17 in Harvest Slot |
1.7 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.2 |
| 15-18 Protected Slot |
1.7 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
13.8 |
| East Basin, Moderate natural mortality, No density
dependent growth response to changes in population size |
Table 2
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.6 |
1.9 |
14.1 |
| 15 in Minimum |
2.0 (25%) |
1.9 (0%) |
16.5 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.9 (18%) |
1.3 (30%) |
13.6 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.8 (13%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.8 |
| 17-25 in Protected Slot |
1.6 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
13.7 |
| 13-17 in Harvest Slot |
1.6 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.1 |
| 15-18 Protected Slot |
1.6 (0%) |
1.7 (11%) |
13.7 |
| East Basin, Moderate natural mortality, Moderate density dependence
growth response to change in population size |
Table 3
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.6 |
1.9 |
14.1 |
| 15 in Minimum |
2.1 (30%) |
1.9 (0%) |
16.4 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
2.0 (25%) |
1.2 (36%) |
13.5 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.8 (13%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.7 |
| 17-25 in Protected Slot |
1.6 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
13.7 |
| 13-17 in Harvest Slot |
1.6 (0%) |
1.9 (0%) |
15.1 |
| 15-18 Protected Slot |
1.8 (13%) |
1.6 (16%) |
13.6 |
| East Basin, Moderate natural mortality, Stronger density
dependence growth response to change in population size |
Table 4
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.5 |
1.8 |
14.0 |
| 15 in Minimum |
1.9 (27%) |
1.8 (0%) |
16.6 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.7 (13%) |
1.6 (12%) |
13.5 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.5 (0%) |
1.8 (0%) |
15.8 |
| 17-25 in Protected Slot |
1.5 (0%) |
1.8 (0%) |
13.6 |
| 13-17 in Harvest Slot |
1.5 (0%) |
1.8 (0%) |
15.1 |
| 15-18 Protected Slot |
1.5 (0%) |
1.8 (0%) |
13.6 |
| East Basin, Higher natural mortality, No density dependence
growth response to change in population size |
Table 5
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.4 |
1.8 |
14.0 |
| 15 in Minimum |
1.9 (36%) |
1.8 (0%) |
16.5 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.8 (30%) |
1.4 (22%) |
13.4 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.6 (14%) |
1.8 (0%) |
15.7 |
| East Basin, Higher natural mortality, Moderate density dependence
growth response to change in population size |
Table 6
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.4 |
1.8 |
13.9 |
| 15 in Minimum |
1.9 (36%) |
1.5 (17%) |
16.4 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.8 (29%) |
1.2 (33%) |
13.2 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.6 (14%) |
1.8 (0%) |
15.6 |
| East Basin, Higher natural mortality, Stronger density dependence
growth response to change in population size |
Table 7
| Regulation |
(Total Population)
Walleye larger
than 15 in (#/acre) |
Pounds harvested
(Ibs/acre) |
Average size of
harvested walleye |
| Baseline |
1.3 |
1.3 |
14.6 |
| 15 in Minimum |
1.5 (15%) |
1.3 (0%) |
17.0 |
| 14-18 in Protected Slot |
1.5 (15%) |
1.3 (0%) |
14.6 |
| 14 in Minimum |
1.3 (0%) |
1.3 (0%) |
16.3 |
| East Basin, Moderate natural mortality, No density dependence
growth response to change in population size |
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HELP WANTED
NAVIGATION LIGHTS... -
Do you live near enough to one of the navigation lights to see it from your dock or deck?
Would you be interested in acting as a "light watchers? It would only be to inform
one of the board members the light is not working. You would not be responsible to
change batteries or bulbs...Just a simple phone call to the board member near you.
We will take care of the rest. Keeping the lights working is a major responsibility.
Your board members are not out on the lake every night. In the past we have missed
replacing batteries because we did not know soon enough that one was not functioning.
Please give us a call...tell us which light you could "watch" and we will see that
it is taken care of.
PICNIC SITES... -
As most of you know, the club has three established "day use" sites. One is
on the east shore of Norwegian Bay, another on the east shore of Niles Bay just before
you enter Wolfe Bay, and the third is behind Pine Island on the east end of the lake.
We would like someone to volunteer to go out, maybe just once a week during May through
September, to see that the fire ring is in good shape, there is no trash left at the
site... in other words, a general "look-see." This past year all sites have received
a lot of use and we must say for the most part they have remained remarkably clean. Once
again, if you find you could go out even once or twice while you are at your cabin...
give us a call. The board can cover remaining times, but if we have enough volunteers,
we could make up a schedule and give a copy to all those involved.
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THE Y2K BUG (SNOW FLEAS NOT ALLOWED)
By Jeanne Franson
Y2K! Y2K! By now we've all heard about the Y2K "bug." Computers that are more than
a couple of years old won't be able to recognize the year 2000; the world as we know it will
come to a standstill; anything that depends on a computer chip to identify '00 will be
interrupted, meaning no electricity, no telephone, no air travel and maybe your coffeemaker
will not work. Statements like these really have me worried about my own "personal
computer," namely my brain. My brain is considerably more than a couple of years old
and needs to be updated so that I will be ready for Y2K. As I stared out over the lake
pondering the situation, it hit me, computers need backup files! My brain has been storing
information that needs to be shared with others, hence my backup, but what information do
I really have that would be of interest to anyone? The thought process was not an easy
task. After sorting through many memories of Lake Vermilion I decided to go back in time,
and with the help from a few other older brains, developed this test, about many of the
resorts that did or have continued to operate since the turn of the last century.
- If the Morcom Inn was in business today, would the slogan, "The Morcom Inn the better,"
still apply?
- What was the name of the first resort on the Tower end?
- What was the name of the first resort on the Cook end?
- There was a golf course at Everett's Point in the early '30s, but how many rounds of golf
would it take to play 18 holes?
- Where can you play golf today and still be close to the lake?
- Which resort still in business was rumored to be in the "red light" district?
MATCH THE CORRECT NAMES
Started as:
1.) The Hotel Idlewild
2.) Jackson's Place
3.) Sody's Place
4.) Chap's Lodge
5.) Anderson's Donut Shop
6.) Osterberg's Island
|
Ended as:
A. Treasure Island Resort
B. Red Loon Lodge
C. Isle of Pines Resort
D. Birchwood
E. Pike Bay Resort
F. Daisy Bay Supper Club
|
Original name:
1.) The Basket Shop
2.) Max's Place
3.) Rutherfords Outing Camp
4.) Birch Point Tavern
5.) Greenwood's Point
6.) Oak Narrows Inn
7.) Duame's Marina
8.) Goodwill's Summer Resort
9.) Little Sweden
10.)Dallago's
11.)The Idlehour
12.)Joyce's Landing
13.)Tibbett's Resort
14.)Shively's Vermilion Dam
15.)Dew Drop Inn
16.)Fernlund's
|
Present name:
A. Vermilion Beach (Cook)
B. Vermilion Dam
C. Bay View Lodge
D. Head O' Lake Resort
E. Timbuktu Marina
F. Voyageur Cove Resort
G. Vermilion Club
H. The Landing
I. Whispering Winds Resort (formerly Sunset Bay Resort)
J. Moccasin Point Resort
K. Pehrson Lodge
L. Muskego Point Resort
M. White Eagle Resort
N. J & G Marine
O. Polley's
P. Wayside Cafe
|
answers HERE
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HOW THE LAST THREE WINTERS COMPARE
This is a comparison of the cold, snowy winter of 1996/1997, the El Nino winter of 1997/1998
and the warmer than normal winter of 1998/1999. The data has been compiled from the unofficial
weather station located at "Shooks Garden" and recorded by P.K. Edwards.
| Month/yr | .
Avg.T |
Max.T |
Min.T |
In. H20 |
In. snow |
Max. snow depth In. |
| Dec. 96 |
11.9 |
35 |
-22 |
1.58 |
21.2 |
15.5 |
| Dec. 97 |
20.96 |
41 |
-22 |
.33 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| Dec. 98 |
13.74 |
40 |
-23 |
1.2 |
10.9 |
7.0 |
| |
| Jan. 97 |
3.39 |
37 |
-40 |
1.51 |
24.45 |
23.0 |
| Jan. 98 |
14.48 |
36 |
-25 |
.58 |
6.0 |
9.0 |
| Jan. 99 |
3.48 |
41 |
-32 |
.71 |
9.57 |
12.0 |
| |
| Feb. 97 |
13.0 |
40 |
-30 |
.16 |
4.0 |
23.0 |
| Feb. 98 |
27.7 |
52 |
-12 |
1.63 |
3.25 |
10.0 |
| Feb. 99 |
19.7 |
44 |
-11 |
.75 |
10.75 |
11.0 |
| |
| Mar. 97 |
23.9 |
58 |
-17 |
1.93 |
21.05 |
28.0 |
| Mar. 98 |
27.2 |
52 |
-8 |
1.36 |
5.7 |
2.5 |
| Mar. 99 |
29.33 |
56 |
-5 |
1.51 |
6.25 |
8.5 |
| |
| Apr. 97 |
31.6 |
52 |
5 |
.71 |
1.0 |
19.0 |
| Apr. 98 |
41.1 |
63 |
20 |
.62 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
| Apr. 99 |
34.8 |
69 |
26 |
2.32 |
7.5 |
5.5 |
| |
| Total snow December thru mid-April |
96/97
71.7" |
97/98
24.95" |
98/99
44.99" |
|
| Total number of days minus zero |
96/97
51 |
97/98
17 |
98/99
37 |
|
The thickness of ice was measured this winter as follows: 13" on 12/31, 18.5" on
1/22, 24" on 2/21, 28" on 3125.
Conclusion: It is obvious the winter of 1996/97 was colder and more snowy, the El Nino
winter of 1997/98 was very mild and the winter of 1998/1999 was above normal, but colder
and more snowy than the El Nino winter. The lack of snow depth and the high volume of
snowmobile traffic contributed to thicker ice.
Respectfully submitted,
P.K. Edwards
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Note of Thanks
A note of thanks to the following members who have sent an additional donation to the club
along with their dues: N. Reed, J. Blonigan, D. Anderson, Dr. R.L. Sellars, M. Swanson, J.
Zubert, B.l.C. Realty, D. Lisowski, L. Marjamaa, R. Marjamaa, H.K. Jorgenson, K. Grosshauser,
M. Gourley, Ludlow Development, D.J. McKinney, J.D. McPeak, R.P. Indihar, W.B. Anderson, K.
Grabarek, T. Bartoz, J. Gobats, D. Wallace, R. DeAngelo, State Bank of Tower, B. Babich,
Voyageur Cove Resort, R. Ladecky, M.K. Hill, D.R. Fredricks, Jim and Pat Cownie, Del and
Nina Cecchi, P. Molinaro, Pike Bay Repair, J. McCarthy, J.W. Dunning, J. Roberts, D.G.
Little, R. Rafter, W.P. DeWitt, S. Hildestad, R. Kronholm, C. Lundblad, J. Bolda (in memory
of Clem and Mary), E. Woolverton, F. Longfellow.
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University, Fermilab to Study Neutrinos in Soudan Mine
Reprinted from The Tower News
Physicists are preparing to go underground to solve one of nature's mysteries: Whetherthe
elusive subatomic particles known as neutrinos have mass. In search of an answer, Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory in Chicago will send a beam of neutrinos underground to
a University of Minnesota-operated detection facility in the Soudan Underground Mine
State Park. Physicists will look for evidence that neutrinos leaving Fermilab change
their character or "flavor," before arriving at the mine a fraction of a second later.
Such a change would prove that neutrinos have mass.
A firm from Hugo has been selected by the University to excavate the new underground
laboratory at the Soudan Underground Mine that will house the Minnesota detector for
the neutrino experiment, called MINOS (main injector neutrino oscillation search).
The experiment, funded by the United States Department of Energy, the United Kingdom
and the State of Minnesota, is expected to begin gathering data in 2002. Led by
principal investigator Stanley Wojcicki of Standford University, MINOS involves
about 200 scientists from 20 institutions in five countries.
Researchers hope that if the mass of neutrinos can be determined, so can their contribution
to the total mass of the universe. Physicists estimate that approximately 80 to 90 percent
of the mass in the universe is "dark matter" matter that cannot be seen. Of this, neutrinos
could account for as much as 10 percent. If so, their combined massand the gravity associated
with objects that have masscould have played a role in the formation of stars and galaxies
throughout the universe. "Neutrinos are the lightest particles with mass, assuming they
have mass," explained University of Minnesota physicist Earl Peterson. "We want to know
what the family ties between neutrinos are, just as we already know the family ties
between quarks the building blocks of protons and neutrons."
Previous studies of neutrinos coming from the upper atmosphere have hinted that the particles
may have mass and change "flavor" while in motion. But studying the behavior of
atmospheric neutrinos is difficult and fraught with uncertainties. Starting with a
controlled and well understood population of neutrinos generated by a particle accelerator
should make it easier to sort out what is going on, the researchers said.
"If the results from previous experiments turn out to be correctif, indeed,
neutrinos have massa new and very exciting area of scientific exploration will open up,"
said Mr. Wojcicki. "Ail of us are looking forward to being part of this adventure."
It already has been determined that neutrinos have no electric charge and that they are
exceedingly small. Therefore, they usually pass through the densest matter without bumping
into anything. This makes them very hard to detect. The University of Minnesota detection
facility in the old Soudan iron mine will await the beam of neutrinos with about 10 million
pounds of steel platesa huge, dense target to maximize the chance that neutrinos will hit
an atomic nucleus.
"We'll probably run the beam of neutrinos nine months of the year for four years,"
reported Mr. Peterson. "Each pulse will contain trillions of neutrinos. We might get a
neutrino interaction, or hit, in about one in a thousand pulses. Each hit will produce a
spatial pattern of electrical signals in detectors between the steel plates."
Neutrinos exist in three "flavors": Tau, muon and electron. They are produced
naturally in the environment for example, within the sun. Neutrinos also are produced
when very energetic cosmic raysnuclei of atoms streaming in from spacecrash into atoms
in the atmosphere. The collisions produce sprays of subatomic particles, which decay to
leave two muon neutrinos for every electron neutrino. However, experiments detect too
few muon neutrinos to correspond with that ratio. This deficit suggests that muon neutrinos
changeor oscillate, as physicists phrase itinto other kinds of neutrinos as they travel
from the upper atmosphere to detectors on the earth.
Fermilab will generate a beam of muon neutrinos and direct it through 445 miles of earth
and rock to the Soudan Mine in Soudan. There, half a mile underground, the massive steel
detector will determine whether the muon neutrinos all arrived, or whether some of them
changed into other kinds enroute. The detection must be performed underground to prevent
interference from the millions of particles generated by cosmic rays.
Research at Soudan is currently sponsored by the governments of the United States of America
and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as part of their support for
fundamental research and graduate education in science. The State of Minnesota provides
the facilities of the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The state and the University of
Minnesota have contributed $1.2 million for laboratory construction. The total cost of
the Soudan Laboratory and currently installed equipment exceeds $15 million. The anticipated
cost of the new MINOS detector is estimated at $40 million.
The Soudan Underground Mine State Park, supervised by Paul Wannarka, is unique among the
state parks operated by the Minnesota DNR. The park is located along the shore of Lake
Vermilion's Stuntz Bay and has the historic Soudan Mine as its centerpiece. The first
century of the mine's history was devoted to providing iron to help fuel the industrial
revolution. Now, in its second century, the mine hosts a large-scale effort to better
understand the subtle forces in the universe.
For more information related to the Soudan Experiment, check out the following web site:
http://www. hep. umn.edu/soudan/
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The En-Lightning Facts. . .
This winter I have received several inquiries about the "dos" and "don'ts"
of behavior during a thunder/lightning storm. The spring 1998 issue of the "Boundary Water
Journal" had the best in-depth article on just that, that I have ever read. I called
them and they sent the issue out to me and have given us permission to reprint excerpts
of it for you. The article was written by Steve Foerch.
"The ominous bank of black
clouds silhouetted against lead-gray skies commands attention. Lightning crackles in the
distance as the thunderheads march closer. Experience and common sense, quite possibly fear,
combine to form clear-headed judgement to go indoors. Prudent decision if you are home.
Simply...Unplug appliances, Stay off the phone, Stay out of the tub, Stay away from
windows. Lightning safety rules are elementary. What if the same scenario were played out
in canoe country? What can be done to minimize the risk to you and your party?
"The profusion of misinformation about lightning all too often can breed tragedy.
Lightning only strikes tall ojbects tops the list of all-time misconceptions. That
distant lightning can be ignored ranks close to second. Lightning is not smart...and
it is lazy in that it simply takes the path of least resistance through the air and
will discharge on any tall object even if it is miles away. Lightning does not unleash
its fury on exclusively tall objects, however. It will strike the relatively tallest
object in a given area. Some misguided people actually carry umbrellas in a thunderstorm!
Consider a fisherman in the middle of a body of water. The six-foot "lightning rod"
in his hand makes him an excellent target...get off the lake...
"What is proper shelter? If you are camping your options are limited: tent, tarp or
hunker down in a low-lying area. A person electing for the latter is advised to crouch
down low on the balls of the feet to minimize contact with the ground. DO NOT be lured
into the forest behind the camp assuming the tall trees will get struck before you do.
Find a grove of smaller trees within the forest and crouch among them until the storm
passes. A rock outcrop is also desirable provided it is low and away from the water. If
you opt to stay in the tent or tarp, assume the same position, but avoid any metal tent poles.
"Tree roots and wet ground act as conductors, so one must make a quick and level-headed
evaluation of the location best suited for shelter be it in or out of the tend tarp.
Rubber shoes and car tires were long thought to be adequate grounding materials. NOT
TRUE a bolt at lightning speed possessing 25,000 amps of current is not about to be
stopped by a half-inch of rubber.
"Upon arriving at a campsite, it is worth a few minutes to scan the area and make
a mental plan of action to prepare for the worst case scenario."
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PERSONAL WATERCRAFT UPDATE
As the use of Personal Watercraft increases on Lake Vermilion, the Club's board is keeping a
close watch on their impact and upon developments which seek to regulate them.
In the most recent development, the government and the world's largest manufacturer of personal
watercraft, asked the industry to limit the speed of so-called "Jet Skis" to 65-mph.
Bombardier, maker of Sea Doo models, announced voluntary compliance with the limit on 2000
year models, which go on sale early next year. A Sea Doo spokesperson said, "There's been
this speed war going for years within the watercraft industry. At some point it makes sense to
address the issue. There's a real fine line there." The Coast Guard welcomed the initiative.
According to its records, 4,070 personal watercraft were involved in accidents in 1997.
Of those, 84 were involved in drownings.
New emission standards for personal watercraft and outboard motors are scheduled to go into
effect in 2006. PWCs use the same two-stroke engine type as snowmobiles. The problem with
the two-stroke engine is it typically burns only two-thirds of its fuel-oil mixture, spewing
the rest into the air or water as part of its exhaust. Some new PWC models, which cost
$800 more than earlier ones, use a fuel injection system that cuts emissions by 80 percent.
The injection system helps some, but studies show the modified two-stroke is still at least
three times dirtier than a four-stroke motor. Environmentalists want the twostroke engine
scrapped altogether in favor of cleaner-burning four-stroke models. EPA officials said they
expect manufacturers to contest their findings, but the industry already is at work on new
engine technology. Many outboard manufacturers are currently marketing four-cycle models
in anticipation of coming regulations. In 1990, Congress required the EPA to study motor
vehicles of all kinds and decide whether to set or tighten standards. An EPA study
concluded that ATVs, snowmobiles, PWCs, outboard motor-powered boats and other two-cycle-powered
vehicles emit one-fourth of the amount of hydrocarbons that are emitted by all the nation's
cars and trucks put together.
The 1998 State Legislature created a 150-foot, no-wake zone from the shoreline for PWCs.
The intent of the rule change involves more than the usual quality of life and safety
considerations. Other important considerations include:
- Protection of the littoral zone. This is the beginning of the food chain for fish, riparian wildlife and plants that keep the lake healthy.
- Shoreland erosion.
- Nesting areas for loons and waterfowl.
- Quiet enjoyment of the shallow areas for swimming, fishing and canoeing.
* Please do your part to make Lake Vermilion safe for everyone. Learn, observe and promote
all watercraft regulations. IF YOU WITNESS A WATERCRAFT VIOLATION, CALL 911 AND REPORT IT
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This is the only way enforcement will know an unsafe situation exists.
This also provides documentation of problems and a basis for justifying increased funding
for enforcement.
Dale Lundblad, Vice President
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Local legislator authors bill to ban underwater video cameras
State Senator Doug Johnson (DFL-Tower) authored a current bill which would ban the use of the
cameras by anglers while in possession of fishing gear. Johnson's bill has cleared the Senate
Environment and Natural Resources Committee and now goes to the floor.
Johnson sees our fisheries as a limited resource, a concept on which we all agree. But don't
creel limits protect from overharvesting? Not really, as the DNR has stated many times. Very
few anglers ever achieve their limit. Most anglers harvest at the lower end of the limit or
not at all. In fact it would be a disaster if every angler achieved a "bag limit" each and
every time.
Ron Payer, DNR Fisheries Chief, is worried about the cumulative effect of all the technologies,
not just the camera. He sees it as a social and ethical question. In short, is this sport
fishing?
Fisheries managers lament that by the time electronic depth finder and fish locators had
become a permanent part of the fishing scene there was nothing they could do about them.
Underwater video cameras are not new, but up until now they have been clunky and not
really affordable. That is no longer true. No one is advocating their outright ban.
Underwater video is valuable for biology, education, family fun and Eurasian watermilfoil
searches.
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Suggested tree species for northeastern Minnesota
Hardwoods
Red Maple - needs full sun, well-drained soil with ample moisture; intolerant of
poorly aerated soils, high pH, hot, dry site conditions.
Silver Maple - fast growing, large size; needs full sun; tolerates a wide range of soil
types, but prefers deep moist soil; large vigorous root systems; seeds prolifically.
Sugar Maple - needs fertile, well-drained soil with ample moisture; full sun or partial
shade; grows poorly in compacted soils.
Paper Birch - prefers welldrained soil, cool, moist conditions; full sun, needs irrigation
and fertilization to stay vigorous; intolerant of compacted soil, dry conditions, and high
temperature.
River Birch - needs fertile, slightly acidic soil; transplant in spring only; susceptible
to birch leaf miner.
Black Ash - needs full sun and ample soil moisture; tolerates poorly drained areas.
Green Ash - needs full sun, but well adapted to a variety of soil types; easily established;
pruning may be needed to improve form.
Swamp White Oak - tolerates heavy soils with poor drainage; likes acidic soils; drought
tolerant; specify swamp white oak if purchasing because white oak does not do well in
northeast Minnesota.
Northern Pin Oak - prefers sandy soil, full sun; drought tolerant.
Burr Oak - large tree tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions; likes full sun.
Northern Red Oak - tolerant of a wide range of site and soil conditions, but needs
well-drained soil; is a faster growing oak; do not prune April - July.
Laurel Leaf Willow - tolerant of a wide range of sites, even poorly drained areas.
Black (Weeping) Willow - likes moist sites, otherwise not demanding of site conditions;
needs frequent pruning.
Linden (Basswood) - tolerant of wide range of soils; prefers well-drained soil with ample
moisture; grows in clay soils.
Conifers
Balsam Fir - needs rich, welldrained soil with adequate moisture; not tolerant
of hot, dry conditions.
Larch/Tamarack - performs well on a variety of sites; tolerant of poorly drained soils
and dry sites; loses foliage annually.
White Spruce - tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers moist, welldrained
soil; likes full sun.
Black Spruce - tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including wet areas.
Norway Pine - needs full sun, tolerates dry, sandy acidic soils; intolerant of compacted
or poorly drained soils.
Eastern White Pine - fast growing, grows well on heavy or sandy acid soil; must be
managed to prevent loss to white pine blister rust which is especially prevalent in shoreland areas.
Northern White Cedar - suitable for shorelines, low wet areas; very shade tolerant.
(Reprinted from Arrowhead Currents)
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Answers to Questions:
- No. Today where the Morcom Inn was is the Trout Lake Portage entering the BWCAW. The U.S.
Forest Service has a quota on the number of visitors entering Trout Lake.
- Fabin's Camp was the first resort on the Tower end. This was located in the southwest
corner of Big Bay and today it is the site of the first home on the south side of Birch
Point Road. Gus Fabin bought four 40s from a Mr. Ferney in about 1910 and built a large
lodge with six or eight bedrooms and two other cabins. Some years later Mr. Ferney was
living in a tent at Wadman's Greenwood Point where he was robbed and shot by a drunken
logger. After Gus died, his wife sold the resort to Dr. A.M. Everhardt and his wife,
Evelyn, who turned the resort into a private home. Today the property belongs to Robert
and Norma Reed. Evelyn Everhardt was Robert's aunt.
- Goodwill's was the first resort on the Cook end in about 1912. The resort had a hotel
with dining room and 10 sleeping cabins. Around 1923 running water and telephones were added
to the cabins. Five of the cabins had large stone fireplaces. Later the resort was named
Muskego, meaning "Bay of Big Fish." Today Muskego Resort is owned and operated by Grant and
Judy Hughes.
- You would have to play six rounds as the course only had three holes.
- Today there is Vermilion Fairways, a nine-hole course on the Cook end, and Pier 77,
a mini-golf course on the Tower end.
- In the early days of the Birch Point Tavern the Pine Trees Resort was rumored to
have "girlies." Walt Jarecki, the current owner, says, "Sorry, the 'girlies'
are gone!"
Matchups:
1-C
2-D
3-E
4-B
5-F
6-A
|
1-P
2-0
3-M
4-N
5-J
6-E
7-H
8-L
9-l
10-F
11-G
12-K
13-A
14-B
15-C
16-D
|
You might also want to remember there were other resorts from the past that are now private
properties and they included: Naughton's, Vermilion Beach (Tower), Westhaven, Birch Point Inn,
Northland Lodge, Runkle's Pine Rock, Grandview, Proctor's, Winter's, Minolta, Moose Antler,
Sunset Island and McKinley Park Resort. Today there are 36 resorts in operation on Lake Vermilion.
I hope this Lake Vermilion Resort trivia helps ready your "personal computer" for
Y2K. There is a lot more information that needs to be remembered, but right now the snow
is melting and the snow fleas need my attention. If my facts are wrong we still have eight
months until Y2K to correct them. Remember, a computer is only as accurate as the information
that gets entered into it and I did warn you that my brain was old!
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