FiN for the City

For years Wolfe Lake has been a quiet place for St. Louis Park residents to read, relax, or stroll along a serene lakeshore. But the three-acre lake, which began as a gravel pit in the 1940s, has never attracted many anglers. Despite depths of 20 feet in places, only hardy fish such as minnows and bullheads survive the low oxygen levels that occur there during most winters.

Two years ago, however, community leaders began looking at ways to improve the lake and surrounding park. With the help of the DNR Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program, St. Louis Park environmental coordinator Jim Vaughan and interested residents began exploring the possibility of introducing game fish into Wolfe Lake. Using lake survey information, FiN and city staff developed a plan to encourage fishing, provide natural resources education, and improve habitat at Wolfe Lake.

To raise oxygen levels in winter, city officials followed the advice of FiN staff to run an aerating pump in the winter. They also initiated a project to restore native plants on the shore to control erosion and enhance fish habitat.

This spring the DNR stocked the lake with bluegills, black crappies, yellow perch, and a few northern pike and largemouth bass. "This mix of fish will attract young anglers and challenge experienced ones," Vaughan said.

The FiN program, funded by the 2000 Legislature, teams up with local interests to improve smaller water bodies in areas that are easily accessible to urban residents. By improving fishing opportunities through projects such as Wolfe Lake, FiN encourages children, senior citizens, minorities, residents with limited mobility, and others in urban areas to connect with the outdoors through fishing.

"I think this project is going to have a big payoff for both the DNR and the city of St. Louis Park," Vaughan said. "Wolfe Lake and Wolfe Park will become more of a focal point for the community—sort of a shining star for us." By getting a wider cross section of people involved in fishing and helping them understand how the natural world works, FiN encourages environmental stewardship. Ultimately, FiN aims to create healthier habitats for fish and wildlife—as well as humans—for generations to come.

Since 2001 FiN has cooperatively developed nine new fishing ponds and 11 new fishing structures, improved more than 1,000 feet of shoreline, and stocked more than 9,000 panfish in the metro area. By creating community partnerships, FiN has shared the costs and labor.

Benefits of the program have already become apparent in Edina, where the Parks and Recreation Department worked with FiN to stock fish in Centennial Lake and restore its shores. Last year park staff held three popular seminars to introduce kids to fishing and fish habitat.

"This is a lake in the middle of the city, and some people aren't even sure if they can fish here," said Stacy Maas, special events coordinator. "This helps to get the word out that there are fish here to catch."

This summer, Maas said, the city hopes to add fishing seminars for senior citizens.

For information on FiN, call Rick Walsh, 651-259-5819; Mark Nemeth, 952-826-6764; or the DNR Information Center (see page 63).

Mark Nemeth, DNR FiN coordinator