Aug. 24, 2023



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Aug. 24, 2023




*More information:
*Contact the DNR Information Center*
*by?*email? <[email protected]>*or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Minnesota DNR focuses on lesser-known native fish at the State Fair fish pond [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Starry stonewort confirmed in Long Lake in Hubbard County [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Well sampling planned in St. Louis County for Groundwater Atlas [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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Minnesota DNR focuses on lesser-known native fish at the State Fair fish pond

Agency also asking for public opinion in online questionnaire?

Meandering through the Minnesota State Fair for many visitors means stopping by the fish pond at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources building and grounds, where visitors can see about 40 fish species up close.

This year, lesser-known fish are getting some special attention by the Minnesota DNR and others who are increasingly interested in these sometimes misunderstood fish ? species that might get a ?what?s that?? rather than high fives when caught by anglers.

?Here?s a challenge for any visitor at the fish pond or watching the live stream online: How many fish species can you name?? said Shannon Fisher, fisheries monitoring and regulations manager. ?Learning more about all these fish is a great first step toward understanding their value and participating in how they are managed in the future.?

These fish, many of which are commonly called rough fish, include buffalo, bowfin (also known as dogfish), carpsuckers, freshwater drum (also known as sheepshead), gar, goldeye, mooneye, quillback, and several species of redhorses and suckers. These species are garnering renewed appreciation for the important role they play in aquatic ecosystems and the health of rivers and lakes.

?We?re shining some light on these fish and we have a questionnaire available online for people to let us know more about how they want these species managed in the future,? Fisher said. ?We will have Fish and Wildlife staff at the fish pond daily to answer questions and talk to folks about these fish, so please bring your questions.?

In an online Minnesota DNR questionnaire, participants can share their thoughts on the importance of these species, how they should be managed and levels of protection the Minnesota DNR should be implementing. The online questionnaire is available on the Engage with DNR page [ [link removed] ] (engage.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries-public-input-wildlife-public-input/survey_tools/rough-fish-management) through Friday, Sept. 15.

Minnesota DNR research is underway to track the populations of these species, with initial results expected in the latter part of 2024. Additionally, the Minnesota DNR formed a new work group with members of conservation organizations, members of the bowfishing community and interested stakeholders to identify conservation strategies for other lesser-known native fish.

For those who aren?t planning to be at the fair, the Minnesota DNR live stream of the fish pond is available online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/statefair/webcam/fish.html).

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Starry stonewort confirmed in Long Lake in Hubbard County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Long Lake, near Park Rapids in Hubbard County.?

An aquatic vegetation survey company hired by the Long Lake Association discovered starry stonewort in the lake, and a Minnesota DNR invasive species specialist confirmed its presence. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.

Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal can help reduce the risk of spread and associated nuisance impacts on water-related recreational activities. Early detection is key to effective management.

Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 26 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.

Starry stonewort is an algae that looks like some native aquatic plants. In late summer and early fall, starry stonewort?s small white star-shaped bulbils become more visible, making it easier to distinguish from other aquatic plants. Information on how to identify starry stonewort can be found on the?Minnesota DNR?s website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/aquaticplants/starrystonewort). If people think they?ve found starry stonewort or any other invasive species new to a lake or river, they should report it to the Minnesota DNR by contacting their?area invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html).

Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. It is most likely spread when fragments have not been properly cleaned from trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or other water-related equipment.?

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean*?watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain*?all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose*?of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release*?bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days?*before moving them from one waterbody to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another waterbody.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

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Well sampling planned in St. Louis County for Groundwater Atlas

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will collect water samples from about 180 wells in St. Louis County for use in the development of a Groundwater Atlas of St. Louis County.

Selected well owners will be contacted by mail or phone to request permission to sample their wells. The process involves collecting a water sample from an outside spigot or hydrant for laboratory analysis. Dozens of different water components are analyzed to determine the natural chemistry of aquifers. Participation is voluntary and owners will receive a report of the laboratory results. Sample well locations are shown on the maps produced for the atlas, but no contact or ownership information is included in the data. There is no cost to well owners.

Wells are selected based on geology, location, well depth and well construction. Participation will help hydrologists create county maps and descriptions of groundwater distribution, movement, conditions, and the pollution sensitivity of aquifers. The final atlas products will be available as printed maps, reports and geographic information system files available on the web.

The groundwater atlases are used to identify viable sources of drinking water, manage sustainability, guide decisions for well and septic system construction, inform well-head protection efforts for public water supply, understand regional recharge and groundwater movement, and assess pollution sensitivity and possible contaminant migration. Neither well sampling nor the atlases are used to regulate individual well owners.

The Groundwater Atlas of St. Louis County is expected to be completed in 2025. This groundwater portion is Part B of a two-part series. Part A, the geology of St. Louis County, was completed by the Minnesota Geological Survey in 2022.

The County Atlas Program is funded in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

A full description of this Minnesota DNR program and completed atlas products are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/groundwatermapping).

For more information, contact:


* Emma Young <[email protected]>?([email protected]), DNR hydrogeologist, 651-259-5680.
* Paul Putzier <[email protected]?subject=Wadena%20County%20well%20sampling>?([email protected]), DNR County Groundwater Atlas Program supervisor, 651-259-5692.

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