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Little Boy / Wabedo Lakes Fisheries Update 2024

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Wabdeo Creek culvert replacement

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Wabedo Creek culvert replacement

  • 2024 spring trap net survey – Similar to 2021.
  • MPCA surveys will provide information outside of gamefish during summer flows.
  • Native vegetation planting occurred following construction completion.
    • MNDOT 25-121 – sandy roadside mix
    • Drought affected
    • Pursue township permission after 2024 season

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Smallmouth/Largemouth bass electrofishing

  • Completed one station on Little Boy before generator failure.
  • Will attempt again in 2024, time/staff permitting

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Spring Trap Netting Little Boy

Black Crappie

Bluegill

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Spring Trap Netting Wabedo

Black Crappie

Bluegill

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YOY Walleye Electrofishing

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YOY Walleye Electrofishing

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Trophic Position of Three Predator Fish Species (Thelen et al. 2023)

  • 17 Minnesota lakes: stable isotopes (C and N) to estimate trophic position of each species
  • Little Boy included in trophic ecology study: Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge

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  • How much do these species diets overlap, what factors drive where they eat?

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Results

  • High variation among lakes
  • Yellow Perch most important prey species for all three species
  • Northern Pike/Walleye diet overlap is significant
  • Zebra mussel effect; switch to littoral reliance
  • Lake habitat influences where/what predators eat

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Cisco

  • Management implication? Research investigation?
  • Little Boy historically variable catches, Wabedo decline in 2009.
  • Discuss with research – Temperature?
  • Vertical gill nets – summer 202?

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2024 DNR Planned Activities

  • Walleye fry stocking: Little Boy – 466,000 Wabedo – 295,000
  • Smallmouth/Largemouth bass EF - Spring
  • Standard Survey: Little Boy 6/24/2024 Wabedo – 7/8/2024
  • YOY Walleye EF – Fall
  • Temperature monitor – below ice

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  • Approx. 20 acres & 1,800 ft shoreline
  • Brought to DNR’s attention by Association
  • Conveyance to DNR from NWLT 10/28/2022
  • Funded by: Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, NWLT, Wab-LB-Cooper-Rice Association, Twin Cities Chapter MI, H.C. Becker Foundation, Jim & Linda Pleski
  • Signage completed spring 2023

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Louise Lake AMA

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Contact Information

Jody Derks – Acting Area Supervisor

(218) 552-2332

Jody.Derks@state.mn.us

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