Lake information report

Name: Kabetogama

Nearest Town: Gappas Landing Campground Primary County: St. Louis Survey Date: 06/12/2008 Inventory Number: 69084500

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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 Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

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 06/12/2008)

Despite sampling difficulties associated with a cold wet spring and abnormally warm fall, results from the 2008 large-lake sampling on Lake Kabetogama provided valuable information about the status of the fishery on Lake Kabetogama. The walleye population in Lake Kabetogama is functioning below previous levels. Strong year-classes of walleye are not occurring as frequently as they once were. While at this time we are unsure of the cause, high juvenile mortality appears to be affecting walleye recruitment and therefore production of strong year-classes.

Walleye gill net CPUE decreased in 2008 to the third lowest level since 1983. This reduction in gill net CPUE was somewhat of a surprise. Anecdotal information from anglers keeping fishing logs indicated that walleye catch was two to three times higher in 2008 than in the past three years, with some length groups (12.0-12.9 inch) five times higher than in previous years. Despite the decrease in walleye CPUE over the past several years the yield per unit effort in pounds of walleye per net has remained remarkably stable. This indicates that the walleye biomass in Kabetogama is likely remaining fairly consistent despite poor recruitment in recent years.

Aging of walleye otoliths (ear bones) showed that the catch is dominated by young fish not yet fully recruited to the gill nets, a few strong year-classes (1996 and 2001), and various moderate to poor year classes; typical of a "boom and bust" fishery. For the fishery to recover a few strong year-classes need to be strung together, with some moderate year-classes filling the gaps. Currently walleye recruitment is inconsistent, with only a few strong year-classes present in the catch.

The 1996 year-class ranks as the strongest walleye year-class on Lake Kabetogama and was well represented in 2008. This year-class has recruited to the protected slot (17 to 28 inches) with a mean length of 21.7 inches. Prior to the regulation change in March 2007, these fish would have been vulnerable to harvest again as they recruit from the protected slot to harvest length. The expansion of the protected slot will protect these fish for many years to come.

Prior to the 2001 year-class there were four consecutive years of poor to mediocre walleye recruitment. The 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997 year-classes were all below average in strength and help explain the current status of the Kabetogama walleye fishery

Juvenile walleye mortality has increased in recent years. A downward trend was apparent in the mid-1990s. However, in the past eight to nine years there has been a significant increase in the instantaneous mortality of age-1 to age-3 walleye. Further investigation is required on this topic, as it is obviously contributing to the poor recruitment on Lake Kabetogama.

Sauger abundance has returned to levels seen in the early to mid 1990s. The 2003 year-class provided a highlight in the 2008 net surveys. The 2003 year-class is showing great promise and should be recruiting to the sport fishery during the next couple of years. This year-class will be the first strong sauger year-class since the two very strong year-classes of 1997 and 1998.

The 2008 fall gill netting indicates that after a sharp jump in abundance in 2007 the northern pike abundance returned to levels typical of past years. The age and size structure have remained healthy through recent fluctuations. Spring water levels should be more favorable for northern pike spawning under the Rule Curve implemented by the IJC in 2000 (RNWLISC 1993).

Yellow perch abundance has returned to normal levels for Lake Kabetogama. Yellow perch abundance and growth provide indications of the overall fishery health on Lake Kabetogama. Recent years with poor walleye recruitment may have contributed to higher perch recruitment as the YOY yellow perch were freed from a major source of predation. The 2008 data shows a good length distribution; however few fish were captured in the length ranges desired by anglers. ?

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 392 Hwy 11 E International Falls, MN 56649 Phone: (218) 286-5220 Internet: International Falls Fisheries E-Mail: InternationalFalls.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 To order, use B0208 for the map-id.
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