September 1, 2006
Service makes decision on plan for Upper Mississippi River National Refuge
Future of controversial trout farm in doubt after owner’s death
Janousek and Johnson win 2nd Annual I-Falls Bass Championship
Special deer hunt to be held in state park
Early goose season opens Sept. 2
Service makes decision on plan for Upper Mississippi River National Refuge
Plan will guide the 240,000-acre, multi-state refuge for the next 15 years
DNR News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (on August 24) signed and released its decision on the alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will become the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Robyn Thorson, the Service’s Midwest Regional Director, signed a Record of Decision choosing Alternative E, the preferred alternative in the Final EIS, as the plan which will guide the 240,000-acre, multi-state refuge for the next 15 years. “Alternative E represents the best balance between the needs of fish and wildlife and the needs expressed by the community that utilizes the refuge,” said Thorson.
With the signing of the Record of Decision, the refuge will begin implementation of the CCP. Changes called for in the plan will not be implemented until 2007 at the earliest, including changes to Waterfowl Hunting Closed Areas and the designation of Electric Motor Areas and seasonal Slow, No Wake Areas. All current public uses on the refuge will continue.
This final decision will also set in motion a broad range of actions to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, complete land acquisition within the refuge, address water quality issues, and provide more effective rest areas for waterfowl and other birds.
Thorson said the most impressive aspect of the CCP was the incorporation of public involvement. “The level of public input into this plan is unprecedented,” said Thorson. “The passion of the people who love this river is clearly evident in the quality of the plan approved today. I appreciate the many citizens who took the time to participate in this process.” The Service hosted 46 public meetings and workshops attended by 4,500 people since August 2002.
Thorson acknowledged that differences remain on certain aspects of the plan. She said she believes that changes made to the alternatives during the past year show the Service listened to people, weighed their comments and suggestions, and reached a balance that is most sustainable, both for wildlife and people, in the long term.
With more than three million visitors per year, the “Upper Miss” Refuge is the most visited refuge in the country and has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 160 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.
“Differences of opinion are expected when managing a national wildlife refuge of this size, scope and ecological importance,” said Thorson. “As this plan is implemented, we will continue to work closely with state agencies, the public and all our partners in an open and respectful way to maintain a balance between the fish, wildlife, plants and people that call this river home.”
The Record of Decision, which outlines the basis of the Service’s decision, will be available soon on the Internet at: www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss
People may also pick up a copy at refuge district offices in Savanna, Ill.; McGregor, Iowa; La Crosse, Wis.; and Winona, Minn.; or call the refuge at (507) 452-4232, or leave a message at the toll-free number (888) 291-5719.
Future of controversial trout farm in doubt after owner’s death
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. (AP) – Businessman John Bondhus, who had been working to build a controversial trout farm in southern Minnesota, died Sunday, August 20 after a short illness. He was 62.
The Monticello businessman, who built Bondhus Corp. into a successful maker of hand tools, died several weeks after getting a staph infection and undergoing emergency heart-valve replacement surgery.
In recent years he had been dedicated to developing the fish farm in Spring Valley as a place where people could catch trophy trout and learn about the outdoors.
The site is adjacent to a designated trout stream, prompting anglers to fight the project because they worried it would hurt the stream’s water quality. Bondhus argued that his project would take precautions against that.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ordered him to stop work after he had launched an ambitious landscaping project without getting the proper permits.
Bondhus claimed he didn’t know he needed the permits and had been challenging the state’s action. His death made the future of the project unclear.
Bondhus is survived by his wife, Mary Kay; sons Perry, Troy and Jonathan; daughters Tammy Morimoto, Holly Frechette and Beth Bondhus; four grandchildren; and 11 brothers and a sister.
Janousek and Johnson win 2nd Annual I-Falls Bass Championship
Anglers weigh in with new record of 30.75
By Bonnie Harris
John Janousek of Nisswa, Minnesota and Chad Johnson of Rogers, Minnesota clinched the top spot at the 2nd Annual International Falls Bass Fishing Championship Saturday. Janousek and Johnson delivered two consistent days of fishing. The duo brought in a record breaking combined weight of 30.75 pounds for the tournament, which earned them $10,000. The two anglers have been fishing together for the past ten years.
“I think it was a combination of perseverance and experience,” said Janousek. “We knew coming into the competition this morning we had a good shot at it, but everybody here could win.” Janousek and Johnson have won a number of tournaments on Rainy Lake. Johnson commented he fished a total of 20 days on Rainy Lake so far this year.
Canadians Dale Labelle of Devlin, Ontario and Karl Howells of Fort Francis broke the bag record with a combined weight of 17.01 pounds. The two anglers sat in the leader position for most of the afternoon until Janousek and Johnson weighed in. “Today was Karl’s day to shine,” said Labelle, who added Howells brought in the majority of the fish Saturday. Labelle and Howells ended up in second place with a combined weight for the tournament of 28.57 pounds.
Despite excellent pre-fishing results, Friday was tough for many of the competitors. After a slow start on the river, Team #44 of Mike Teigen of Barnesville, Minnesota and Ryan Teigen of West Fargo, North Dakota were at the top of the leader board. The Teigens reported a combined weight of 16.71 pounds. Both fishermen mentioned tough wind conditions played a factor in results Friday. The majority of the competing teams reported combined weights under ten pounds.
Minnesota Hall of Fame fishermen Dave Genz of St. Cloud, Minnesota and Larry Bolig of Ham Lake, Minnesota, scored the big fish of the day on Friday, with a tournament record 4.91-pound bass. “Pre-fishing was great, but fish were scarce today,” Genz said. He added the team didn’t catch their first fish until 10:00 am. At the end of Friday’s competition, Genz and Bolig were in ninth place with a combined weight of 13.10 pounds.
Duane and John Peterson, both of Bemidji, Minnesota, mentioned the fish were biting early for them. “We caught most of our ten pounds by 9:30,” said John Peterson. “After that, there were just small 13-inch fish. We hooked a couple of good ones, but lost them. That’s not a good thing to have happen in tournament competition.” The Petersons ended Day 1 in 21st place with a combined weight of 10.97 pounds.
Fishing for the first time on Rainy Lake, Ross Taylor of Burnsville and Brent Carlson of Brainerd ended with a combined weight of 23.29 after a disappointing first day. “We just had no experience on the lake and on the river,” said Taylor, considered by many in bass fishing circles to be a rising star in the sport. “We had much better luck on the river today.”
The event weigh-in was completed before a packed house in Smokey Bear Park in International Falls. Announcer Chip Leer was enthusiastic about the turnout. “People are finding out about the quality of fish we’ve got up here, both on the lake and on the river,” Leer said. “It was a day of records, from the biggest bag today (Saturday) to the biggest bass yesterday (Friday).”
“We are ecstatic,” said Tournament President Gary Potter when asked for his opinion of the event. “The level of community involvement has been second to none.” Potter mentioned plans were already underway for next year’s event.
Potter added the field had doubled in 2006. “We’re pleased with the caliber of fishermen we’ve got competing,” said Potter, noting three Hall of Fame fishermen Genz, Bolig and John Peterson as well as former FLW competitor Allen Head, a thirteen year veteran of the FLW and Bassmaster tours.
A full field of 60 teams competed on Rainy River and Rainy Lake for a combined purse of $30,000. The tournament is a two day, two person combined weight competition. The live release, two-day tournament features a unique format using both Rainy Lake and Rainy River. The winners of the event automatically qualify for the Fort Francis Bass Fishing Championship.
For more information please visit www.ifallsbass.com
Special deer hunt to be held in state park
DNR encourages firearms hunters to help manage deer in Buffalo River State Park during a special hunt Nov. 4 & 5
DNR Reports
For the first time in its 69-year history, Buffalo River State Park is offering most of its 1,200 acres for a special deer hunt on Nov. 4-5. Park Manager Brian Nelson is encouraging area firearms hunters to apply for one of the 12 permits that will be offered for the hunt.
Although the park is geographically just inside Zone 4, it was described in the hunting synopsis as included in Zone 2. To apply for the Buffalo River State Park permit lottery, hunters must have a Zone 2 or All-Season license and apply for special hunt area 915. According to state statutes, the park hunt is within the shotgun zone, so shotguns only will be permitted in the park.
“Were offering 12 permits to take antlerless deer,” said Nelson. “Up to four bonus permits will also be available to successful hunt lottery applicants to reduce the number of deer in the park. We feel the hunt is necessary to control the deer population in the park, which has really exploded in recent years and is impacting vegetation.”
The deer population in the park is above sustainable levels after the recent mild winters, according to Nelson, who became the parks manager in 2005. The DNR manages deer populations as part of the natural communities in Minnesota’s state parks. If deer populations become unnaturally high in an area, browsing can decrease regeneration of some tree species and reduce the numbers of wildflowers and herbaceous plants.
The park will remain open for general users during the hunt, and day use areas in the park will be closed off to hunters. However, Nelson encourages all park visitors to pick up a park map at the information office so they are aware of where hunting will take place. He also asks that visitors wear blaze orange or other bright colors during their visit.
Applications for permits to hunt in Buffalo River State Park are available through the Electronic Licensing System located at most sporting goods stores and many convenience stores. For more information about the special deer hunt, contact Park Manager Brian Nelson at (218) 498-2124 or at PO Box 352, Glyndon, MN, 56547.
Early goose season opens Sept. 2
The early season, which runs Sept. 2-22, is an important management tool
DNR News
Goose band returns from locally banded Canada geese in northeast Minnesota indicate that nearly 70 percent of the goose harvest occurs during the early season. “This information indicates how important the early September Canada goose season is for impacting the growth of the local goose population,” states Perry Loegering, area wildlife manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Each year since 2002, wildlife managers in Northeastern Minnesota have been capturing and banding 500 locally raised Canada geese. Hunters that bag banded geese report the band number along with date and location of harvest. The band information is valuable to the DNR for researching goose populations.
The results indicate that for local geese, 23 percent of the adults and 25 percent of the young are harvested each year. The reports also show 66 percent of the geese were harvested in Minnesota, 27 percent in Illinois, 3 percent in Iowa and less that 1 percent in other states including Wisconsin and New Jersey. Of the local birds harvested in Minnesota, 69 percent were harvested in the early season, 31 percent were harvested during the regular season, and none were harvested during the late season.
“Legal hunting harvest is the DNR’s number one tool for managing wildlife populations such as local Canada geese. Landowners experiencing problems with local geese should consider this when hunters ask for permission to hunt geese on their land,” said Loegering.
“Early and late Canada goose hunting seasons take place when most migrant geese are not in the state, so hunting will not have a significant impact on those populations, said Loegering. “The early seasons are specifically designed to harvest local geese.”
The early September Canada Goose season starts Saturday, September 2 and ends September 22. Bag limits are five per day and 10 in possession, with shooting hours one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
© 2006 Outdoors Weekly Corporation