articles from February, 2003 newsletter:
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President's Message
As I am writing this it is 25 below zero this moming. We should be on the downhill side of winter. It has been an unusual fall and winter as far as weather goes. Still not much snow.
Your Board is in the process of updating the club bylaws and the new version will be printed in a future newsletter so you can review them before they will be acted on at the annual meeting in August.
We have had members expressing concern about the low water level in Lake Vermilion. The Board has been in contact with the Waterways Department of the DNR and they have agreed to come and meet with us at the Vermilion Dam to see if something can be done to maintain a better water level in the lake.
We are still working with the U.S. Forest Service to establish a new day-use picnic site in Bystrom Bay.
Membership in the Sportsmen's Club is still a concern and our main source of funds. We know there are many
lake residents who are not members, mainly because they have not been asked by anyone to join. Your Board cannot contact all lake shore owners and so we are asking you as members to ask people you know if they are members and invite them to join if they are not members. It helps to show them a copy of the newsletter and tell them what we do and our goals for the quality of the lake and the promotion of safe boating and other water activities. Our membership could almost double if we had a great majority of the lake shore owners and users of the lake as members. Thank you for helping us. Dues amounts are in the newsletter.
With almost three feet of ice on the lake, you will have to wait awhile for boating. Snowmobiling is very good now, so we can enjoy beautiful Lake Vermilion all year only with different activity with the change of seasons. If you are not at the lake now I hope you enjoy reading about it until you are back.
To the lake, Ray Harris
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SPORTSMEN'S CLUB OF LAKE VERMILION LOSES A DEDICATED MEMBER
On October 26, 2002, Frankie (Ema) Longfellow passed away in her home in Greenbrae, Califomia. Frankie was a dear friend to me and my family and was also very close to many residents of Cook and Lake Vermilion.
Frankie deeply loved Lake Vermilion and had been a guest of Pehrson Lodge every summer for nearly 30 years.
She was a strong promoter of the Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club and made many donations over the years to support the club.
Her last contribution will affect many of us for years to come. Frankie was instrumental in helping the Sportsmen's Club's development of the new shore lunch site on Norwegian Bay.
Frankie was a "one of a kind" lady and we will all miss her.
Doug Knorr
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Spotlight on Northwoods Legends
Technically speaking, they're not old enough to join the "Legends of Lake Vermilion" club, but Mark and Sally Ludlow's roots here run so deep, and their personal involvement is so extensive, that we'll just have to "grandfather" them in. Mark's grandfather, Joseph B. Ludlow, arrived 100 years ago, and at one time owned 36 islands, as well as the area known as Ludlow's Landing. His son Horace, Mark's dad, started the family's resort business in 1938 (Mark bought it in 1972). Sally's grandfather, Willard Beaurline, bought land on Taylor's Island in 1939. Sally's parents, Loyd and Mary Jane Beaurline, eventually bought the property, and when Sally graduated from college, she came to Cook to open B.l.C. (Beaurline lnvestment Corporation) Realty.
Sally grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Grandpa Willard Beaurline started a bus company in St. Paul, and was so successful at stealing customers from the streetcar company that they bought him out. He used the proceeds to start a bus line operating among Eau Claire, the Twin Cities and Duluth, and again his success led a competitor to buy him out. He started several more businesses, and he and his wife, Mathilda, began vacationing on Lake Vermilion. Their favorite place to stay was Chap's Lodge, more recently Red Loon Lodge, and now Northern Pines Estates.
Although Sally grew up in Chicago, she spent summers on the lake, so it isn't surprising that she would come to Cook after college. Nor is it surprising that she would start her own business, with almost no experience or training. Grandpa must have gotten a huge kick out of watching Sally start from nothing and build one of the top real estate firms in the area. And
true to the family spirit, when she decided to take her degree in English Lit and Art History to start her own business, her parents encouraged and supported her entrepreneurial spirit.
While Sally's grandfather was terrorizing his competitors in the bus business, Mark's grandpa
Joseph was managing real estate for a Minne apolis bank. He came l the lake often, and one of his friends in the early years was Isaac Goodwill' owner of Goodwill's (now Muskego Point) Resort Joseph and his bride, Elizabeth, had honeymooned at Goodwill's, and in 1909 they aske~ him to build a duplicate of that cabin for them on the Ludlow's Landir property. Like many resorters, Goodwill wa a first-class builder. Besides the Ludlow's first cabin, he built the Bement home, now owned by the Daytons and a home on Swanson's Point for the Gates Rubber Co. family of Denver.
Joseph and Elizabeth's son Horace ("Hod") loved to tell stories of his early trips to the lake, riding the launch Mayflower from Tower. The small island at the west end of Niles Bay was home to two Indian families then, and Hod remembered wigwams and tepees in Chief Wakemup's village. Hod's desire to live up North finally overcame his parents' plans for a college education. In 1933 he built a cabin on Ludlow's Island, which his dad purchased from Mrs. Goodwill in 1931 for $800. That cabin is still in use today.
Hod married Lillian Larson in 1936. At first they operated Campbell's Trading Post on Lac La Croix, trading and becoming friends with the Indians who lived nearby. In 1938 they began renting out Hod's cabin back on Lake Vermilion, and Ludlow's Resort was born. By then Hod was working for the Boy Scouts, building the High Adventure base on Moose Lake, and was home only on weekends. Lil was taking care of their first two children, Martha and Mary. while living in a tent on the west side of Ludlow's Island. When Mark arrived in 1943, Hod and Lil decided it was time to get out of the tent, and built a new cabin on the island. In the next few years, Hod built three more cabins. In 1949, they finally made their commitment to the resort business complete, building a dining room, hiring a cook and offering fine meals to guests and townspeople alike.
Mark graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1965. He taught there until 1988, although as the demands of the resort business increased, he cut back on his teaching load. Along the way he also developed a contracting business. He started with a crew to build and renovate resort buildings, and took on other jobs so that he could keep his crew together. When the outside jobs overwhelmed the resort work, Ron Pope took that business and developed it into one of the premier builders of fine homes on the lake.
After almost 60 years on the lake, with enough experience away from the lake to give him perspective, Mark sees the area through the eyes of a realtor, contractor, resorter and life-long advocate. He worries that we overlook the value of Lake Vermilion as an engine of economic development. Tourists, seasonal residents and year-round lake residents spend millions of dollars on goods and services, while making almost no demands on government services. A typical family of four on a week's vacation spends at least $2,500 on lodging, meals, shopping and other services. A recent survey of lake property owners suggested that
they spend about $20 million annually on property improvements alone, to say nothing of what they spend on groceries, boats, propane, and dozens of other products and services.
Mark noted that water quality is a major concern for anybody whose livelihood depends on the lake. Scientific analysis has shown water quality improving in recent years, but Mark describes aging septic systems as a ticking bomb. He is so concerned about the issue that Ludlow's Resort completed a voluntary upgrade of its septic systems in 2002.
When she's not managing B.l.C. or working at the resort, you're likely to find Sally working to keep a hospital in Cook. In 1991, Dr. Harold Johnston recognized that the Cook Hospital would be hard pressed to survive. He approached Sally about memorializing W.C. (Doe) Heiam by forming a group to support the hospital he had built. The W.C. Heiam Foundation, begun in 1992, has raised over $600,000, and is building an endowment to strengthen the hospital. With 120 employees, the hospital is one of Cook's biggest employers, and access to a hospital, nursing home, and medical and dental clinics is critical to residents and businesses throughout northeastern St. Louis County. Should we be worried about its future? This is one of only two rural hospitals left in Minnesota. Medicare and insurance reimbursements continue to decline, and if it weren't for the dedication of our staff and the support of the community, we'd be left without good medical services close to home."
Some of Lake Vermilion's legends have great tales to tell about our past, and some are still busy helping to build our future. Mark and Sally Ludlow are firmly rooted in our past and looking to our future.
Tom Morrow, Club Member
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New Northern Pike Regulation For Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion has been selected for a special regulation that wili hopefully enhance its reputation for trophy northern pike. A 24-36 inch protected slot limit on northern pike will go into effect on May 10, 2003. All northern pike caught between 24 and 36 inches must immediately be returned to the lake. One northern pike over 36 inches will be allowed in the daily bag limit. The goal of the regulation is to increase the number of medium and large pike in the lake. The slot limit is not expected to increase the total number of northern pike. Rather, it is hoped the regulation will change the size structure of the population, resulting in more large fish and fewer small fish.
The new regulation is part of a statewide initiative to improve the size structure of northern pike populations on a number of lakes across Minnesota. This effort came about after a comprehensive review of statewide bag limits, when many anglers commented on the long-term decline of large northern pike in Minnesota lakes. The decline of large northern pike has been well documented throughout the state. The DNR Division of Fisheries responded by developing a plan to manage for larger pike on a number of lakes across the state. After a thorough selection and review process, 66 lakes and one river were selected for special regulations, including Lake Vermilion. This increases the number of lakes with special regulations for northern pike to 98, which is still less than 1 percent of Minnesota lakes that contain northern pike. Three different regulations were developed for this initiative, including a 24-36 inch protected slot, a 30inch minimum, and a 40-inch minimum. The specific regulation chosen for any individual lake depended on the management goal and biological characteristics of that lake.
Lake Vermilion was considered a good candidate for a special regulation for a number of reasons. The lake has a relatively low population of northern pike that grow fast. Length regulations don't work well in lakes with high numbers of slow growing fish. In addition, large lakes are generally better suited to produce large pike than small lakes. Lake Vermilion also has an abundant population of key forage species, including tullibee, sucker, and perch. Finally, Lake Vermilion has a history of producing large northern pike.
The new regulation is not expected to negatively impact other species. Predation by northern pike on walleye is not expected to be a significant factor. Walleye and northern pike have co-existed together for thousands of years without serious impacts to each other at normal population levels. Lakes known for producing large northern pike are often some of our best walleye lakes. The presence of larger pike in the lake will also compliment the muskie fishery that has developed in recent years. Darkhouse spearing will continue to be legal on Lake Vermilion, although the new slot limit will certainly make this sport more difficult.
Most of the comments received during the review period favored going forward with the proposed slot limit. Unfortunately, attendance was very low at an open house held on Sept. 24 to take comments on the proposed regulation change. Support for the proposed regulation change was very high among anglers contacted during the 2002 creel survey. Of the 3,385 fishing parties interviewed, 86 percent indicated they supported the regulation. For anglers specifically targeting northern pike, 86 percent again supported the regulation.
Special regulations are becoming more common across the state and country. Increased leisure time, improved equipment, new technology, and better skilled anglers have collectively resulted in unprecedented pressure on our fishery resources. Anglers are also becoming more inclined to give up harvest opportunities for better quality fishing. Lake Vermilion is now part of the nationwide trend to manage for higher quality fisheries. If anyone has questions or comments please feel free to contact me at the DNR office in Tower.
Duane Williams Large Lake Specialist
DNR Fisheries 650 Highway 169 Tower, MN 55790
Phone: 218-753-2580 ext. 224 Fax: 218-753-2581 e-mail: duane.Williams@dnr.state.mn.us
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Ice fishing shelter removal dates approaching
Conservation Officers ask anglers to police up litter
Minnesota's ice fishing shelter removal dates are fast approaching. Dark houses, fish houses, and shelters must be off the ice no later than midnight for each of the dates given in the following categories:
For inland waters south of the line* - February 29
For inland waters north of the line* - March 15
Border Waters: Minnesota - lowa February 20
Minnesota - Wisconsin March 1
Minnesota - North and South Dakota March 5
Minnesota - Canada March 31
* Inland Minnesota waters are divided into two zones, north and south, defined by: a line starting at the Minnesota-North Dakota border formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the MinnesotaWisconsin border.
If houses or shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted, and the structure may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer. Contents of the structure may be seized and held for 60 days; if not claimed by the owner within that time, they become property of the State of Minnesota.
After the date when ice or fish houses or shelters must be removed, portable shelters may be placed on the ice and used from one hour before sunrise to midnight, but only if there is an open fishing season on the lake. Storing or leaving fish houses or dark houses on a public access is prohibited.
Anglers are encouraged to monitor ice conditions on lakes and make arrangements to remove their houses before travel on the ice is dangerous. According to information from the DNR Boat and Water Safety Section a minimum of 4 inches is necessary for ice fishing; snowmobiling or ATV activity requires at least 5 inches; 8 to 12 inches for a car or small pickup; and 12-15 inches for a medium truck.
Ice conditions can vary greatly and anglers should know about the different types and characteristics of ice. Slush shows weakening of ice and should be considered a danger sign. If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off. Don't go on the ice during thaws. Avoid honeycombed ice, dark snow and dark ice. Ice is generally thinner where there is moving water, such as inlets and outlets, bridge abutments, islands and objects that protrude through the ice.
Conservation Officers are also reminding anglers to keep waterways clean. Litter on lakes tarnishes nature's beauty, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for recreation.
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DNR sends reminder to dog owners
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds dog owners that it is illegal to allow their pets to harass deer and other big game.
Every winter, conservation officers receive reports from all parts of the state of coos chasina and sometimes killing deer or other big game. The state's wildlife regulations hold dog owners accountable for dogs chasing big game and conservation officers are authorized to put down dogs that do so.
Mark Johanson, Acting DNR Enforcement Chief, advises dog owners to be aware of the possibility their dogs may be chasing big game and to take steps to prevent them from doing so.
"Deer are particularly vulnerable at this time of year and the additional stress of being chased can affect their winter survival even if they escape,"Johanson said.
Suggested tips for dog owners:
- Do not allow your dog to chase big game wildlife at any time.
- Keep your dog controlled within your property boundaries.
- Report wildlife harassment to your local conservation officer (Contact the Minnesota State Patrol for the name and phone number of a conservation officer in your area).
- Respect all types of wildlife.
- The owner of a dog that kills or pursues a big game animal is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and is subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each violation.
In accordance with the Minnesota Game and Fish Laws handbook, a person who observes a dog wounding, killing or pursuing in a manner that endangers big game may kill the dog:
- At any time, if the person is a peace officer or conservation officer; or
- Between January 1 and July 14, if the person is not a peace officer or conservation officer and the discharge of firearms is allowed.
The officer or person is not liable for damages for killing the dog.
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Minnesota DNR Conservation Volunteer Magazine now online
Read about the search for chronic wasting disease, the elegance of slime molds, the life of Minnesota hares and rabbits, and more in the January/February issue at www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/index.html.
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