Lake information report

Name: Lake of the Woods

Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2008 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2008 Survey Year

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelines 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 high enough to warrant a recommendation 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 04/01/2008)

Walleye catches in the 2008 gill net sampling averaged 10.3 walleye per gill net. This level of abundance is well below the long-term average of 14.9 walleye per gill net. Walleye abundance has declined steadily since 2001, when 22.3 walleye per gill net were sampled. Abundance of the 2001 walleye sample was the highest measured since 1970.

The high abundance in 2001 was the result of a series of moderate and strong year classes produced from 1994 through 2001. During that eight-year span, only one weak year class was produced, in 2000. Strong back-to-back year classes are unusual in a walleye population. From 2000 through 2008, four weak, four moderate, and only one strong (2001) year class have been produced. Significant variation in abundance is normal for walleye, and all members of the perch family.

Even though gill net catches have declined substantially since 2001, the actual harvestable walleye population has not dropped to the same degree. In years when a strong year class is produced, a substantial portion of the walleye sample is comprised of very small (typically 5 to 8 inches long) walleye. In 2001, about 25% of the sample was these 5 to 8 inch long walleye. In 2008, the portion of the sample, that is of a size anglers prefer to catch and keep, is still almost 70% of the same portion of the population in 2001.

So, how will this abundance decline influence angling success? The short answer is likely very little. Overall fish abundance does play a role in angler success, but other factors, such as weather patterns and forage abundance, are frequently a much greater influence. As an extreme example, very poor fishing was experienced during the winter of 2005-06. The primary influence during that winter was a series of wind storms that occurred just as the ice was forming on the lake. The wind storms caused the water to become very muddy, and the suspended sediments did not settle out until very late in the winter.

Anglers can expect to catch a wide range of walleye sizes this winter. Walleye from 12 through 18 inches were all well represented in the gill net sample.

In contrast to the walleye population, the sauger population is at its highest level of abundance measured since fall gill net sampling started in 1968. Sauger abundance has been increasing steadily over the past four years. The 1968 to 2008 average catch is 12.3 sauger per gill net. During fall gill netting in 2008, the sample had an impressive 26.0 sauger per net. Just as the walleye gill net catch rate should not be interpreted as gloomy, the sauger catch rate also has to be taken in context. Only about 30% of the sample exceeded 12 inches in length, with sauger between 9 and 10 inches long comprising another 30% of the sample.

The increase in sauger abundance is due to the consistent production of good year classes in recent years, and the presence of the very strong 2006 year class. This single year class comprises almost 70% of the sauger sample, and is the strongest sauger year class documented since 1982. Most of the sauger from this year class will range from 8 to 10 inches in length, during the winter 2008-09 winter fishery.

Anglers can anticipate catching good numbers of 11-inch sauger, from the moderately strong 2005 year class. The very abundant 2006 year class sauger will be of "bait-stealer" size this winter, and anglers can expect to go through a lot of bait when the fishing is good. ?

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 206 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