Lake information report

Name: Lake of the Woods

Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 04/01/2011)

Anglers fish the Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods for a variety of species, including walleye, sauger, yellow perch, northern pike and lake sturgeon. Due to the importance of walleye and sauger, a great deal of population monitoring effort is focused on them. Detailed overviews of the sampling programs conducted on Lake of the Woods are located on the Baudette Area Fisheries web page, on the MN-DNR web site, at www.mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries/baudette .

The walleye population is in good shape, with at least 15 age classes represented annually. A fish population, such as Lake of the Woods walleye, with a variety of age classes present is a healthy fish population. Walleye from age-0 through age-20 were sampled in 2011. The longest individual sampled was a 28.0 inch long. A relatively high proportion of the walleye sample (16%) was of age-0 individuals. Past experience suggests that a catch rate of age-0 individuals in this range predicts a moderately strong to strong year class. Long-term mean abundance (1968-2011) is 14.8 walleye per gill net lift. The 2011 abundance was 19.7 per lift, above the long-term mean, but within the range of normal abundances.

Sauger abundance is currently very high. Sauger abundance is 21.0 sauger per gill net, and is down from the record high of 30.8, measured in 2009. Mean abundance, from 1968-2011, is 13.5 sauger per gill net. The high sauger abundance can be attributed to the production of three strong year classes (2005, 2006 and 2007), combined with only two weak year classes, in the past ten years. Of particular note is the 2006 year class. The 2006 year class is the strongest sauger year class measured since fall gill net assessment became an annual survey in 1981. Sauger from the 2006 year class comprised about 46% of the entire sauger sample, and had an average length of 13 inches. Sauger from the 2007 year class had a mean length of 12 inches. Sauger from all three of the strong year classes are now of a size anglers prefer to harvest.

The yellow perch population is at an average level of abundance, after being well below average since 2007. The gill net catch rate was 16.3 per lift, with a mean (1968-2011) gill net catch rate of 14.7 yellow perch per net. The increase in abundance is being driven by a high proportion of age-1 individuals, suggesting that the 2010 yellow perch year class is strong. Age-1 yellow perch comprised 40% of the sample, but had a mean length of only 5.7 inches. Yellow perch grow to 9 inches by age-4 and reach 10 inches by age-5.

Lake of the Woods is managed to provide a trophy northern pike fishery. Overall, 19% of the 716 northern pike sampled exceeded 35 inches, and 5% exceeded 40 inches. Spring northern pike assessment is currently scheduled to take place on a five-year rotation. It was anticipated that all sites would be sampled in a single year, but this was not possible in 2011. The sites which could not be sampled will be completed in 2012.

Infested Waters Designation

Spiny water flea, rusty crayfish and rainbow smelt have all invaded the Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods. Anglers should familiarize themselves with regualtions deasigned to prevent the spread of these, and other, aquatic invasive species between water bodies.

Lake of the Woods Regulations

Current walleye and sauger harvest regulations were enacted on December 1, 2004. The regulations vary by time of year, location on the lake, and between Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River.

Lake of the Woods, from December 1 through April 14, the walleye/sauger aggregate limit is eight (not more than four can be walleye). Walleye from 19.5 to 28 inches must be immediately released. Only one walleye over 28 inches total length can be possessed.

Lake of the Woods, from walleye opener through November 30, the walleye/sauger aggregate limit is six (not more than four can be walleye). Walleye from 19.5 to 28 inches must be immediately released. Only one walleye over 28 inches total length can be possessed.

Four Mile Bay of Lake of the Woods, from March 1 through April 14, the walleye/sauger aggregate limit is two (no walleye over 19.5 inches).

Rainy River from walleye opener through February, the walleye/sauger aggregate limit is six (not more than four can be walleye). Walleye from 19.5 to 28 inches must be immediately released. Only one walleye over 28 inches total length can be possessed.

Rainy River from March 1 through April 14, the walleye/sauger aggregate limit is two (no walleye over 19.5 inches).

The northern pike possession limit is 3, of which only one can exceed 40 inches. The open season is continuous.

The lake sturgeon harvest season is from April 24 to May 7, and from July 1 to September 30. Anglers may harvest one lake sturgeon per year. A sturgeon must be between 45 and 50 inches (inclusive) or longer than 75 inches to be legal to harvest. All other sturgeon must be immediately released. Anglers wishing to harvest a lake sturgeon must purchase a lake sturgeon harvest tag. The tag is available through the electronic licensing system (any license issuing agent) and costs $5.00. Upon harvesting a sturgeon, the harvesting angler must notch the appropriate areas of the tag indicating the date and time of harvest, then the tag must be attached to the sturgeon. Within 48 hours a registration card must be completed by the harvesting angler and mailed in.

Anglers do not need a harvest tag to catch and release lake sturgeon, a harvest tag is needed only if they intend to harvest one. The catch and release only season is from May 8 to May 15, and from October 1 through April 23. You may not fish for lake sturgeon during the closed season (May 16 to June 30).

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 204 Main St E Baudette, MN 56623 Phone: (218) 634-2522 Internet: Baudette Fisheries E-Mail: Baudette.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 No depth map available.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093