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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Phone: 612-713-5360 |
Mille Lacs Band
Tribal Partnership Projects
Contacting the Office:
Julie Morin, Acting Native American Specialist
e-mail: Julie_Morin@fws.govBHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
Common Tern Colony Produces on Mille Lacs NWR
Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of two small 0.5 acre islands in Lake Mille Lacs (Mille Lacs County, Minn.) Spirit Island was set aside by Executive Order 2199 on May 14, 1915 and Hennepin Island was added on October 13, 1920. The two islands were to be a 'preserve and breeding ground for native birds.' Mille Lacs NWR is not only the smallest NWR in the system, it is also the site of one of only four common tern nesting colonies in Minnesota. The common tern is currently listed as a threatened species in MN, under Federal listing they are not listed, but are considered a species of management concern with national significance. The two major threats to terns on Hennepin Island are competition for nesting sites with ring-billed gulls and weather. A gull-determent string-grid system was incorporated on the island in 1993. This year, 56% of the tern nests initiated on the island were located under the grid, an additional 38% were located on a low gravel 'spit' of the island. Efforts this year yielded zero successful gull nests on the island and a peak count of 181 common tern nests. The record for tern nests was set in 2000 when the peak was 212. Once again weather was a key in destroying tern nests. Heavy rains, strong winds and a lack of protection around the island resulted in all of the nests initiated on the 'spit' to be destroyed.
Offices Involved: R3-Rice Lake NWR
Resource Outputs: The common tern colony on Mille Lacs NWR had a peak of 181 tern nests during 2002 compared with 170 in 2001 and 212 in 2000. Heavy rains, high winds and lack of protection resulted in the destruction of all (38% of the total nests) initiated on the 'spit' of the island.
Partners: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Service Partners with Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to assess Mille Lacs walleye populations
Under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Service, the Ashland FRO provides technical assistance (when requested) for fishery assessment projects. This year the Ashland and La Crosse FRO''s are working together to assist the GLIFWC in assessing walleye populations in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Additional partners include the Minnesota DNR (Mille Lacs Lake project), and the Wisconsin DNR (northern Wisconsin lakes). This spring, the Ashland FRO will provide one crew leader and electro fishing boat to conduct adult walleye population estimates in northern Wisconsin waters. On Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota, the Ashland FRO and La Crosse FRO will each provide one crew leader and electro fishing boat for up to two-weeks under a reimbursable agreement. The objectives of these surveys are to provide biologists with current data so accurate estimates of adult walleye populations can be made. These estimates are used to set safe harvest levels, on which tribal harvest quotas are based. During the fall, both the Ashland and La Crosse FRO''s will once again team up to assist the GLIFWC with the assessment of juvenile walleye. The data from these assessments are used to establish walleye recruitment levels from which adult population estimates and fry stocking levels will be determined. Both the spring and fall data will be collected using electro fishing boats. The sampling procedures involve extensive work during the evening hours. This is the period when fish activity is the greatest and thus provides for the best opportunity to collect fish in large numbers. During an average evening, it''s possible to collect data from 500 walleye. During the spring surveys, normally 3-5 nights of fish collection are needed (on each lake) to provide sufficient data so a reliable population estimate can be calculated. This years spring activities may cover a three-week period and result in population surveys being completed on 8-10 lakes. The fall activities normally require only one night''s effort per lake. This years fall project will span a period of eight-weeks and result in the surveying of 64 lakes.
Resource Outputs: The objectives of these surveys are to provide biologists with current data so accurate estimates of adult walleye populations can be made. These estimates are used to set safe harvest levels, on which tribal harvest quotas are based.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Mille Lacs BandMNDNR, WIDNR
Service Assists With Walleye Marking Study on Mille Lacs Lake, MN
On Mille Lacs Lake, MN, Ashland and LaCrosse FRO's assisted with a cooperative walleye marking study between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). The goals of the study were as follows: 1) estimate the total adult walleye population in Mille Lacs Lake; 2) assess the entire shoreline of the lake with regard to distribution of spawning walleye; and 3) implement a double marking system that will allow monitoring of growth and movement of adult walleye over a long term period. The objective of the study was to mark 10% (40,000) of the estimated adult walleye population (400,000). Each cooperator was assigned a target of 20,000 adult walleye for marking. Each captured walleye was marked with a second or third dorsal spine clip and a floy tag. All clipped spines were saved for aging. MNDNR used fyke nets, and GLIFWC used electrofishing to capture spawning walleye. A total of five boats participated in the electrofishing effort, two from GLIFWC, one from the Fond du Lac tribe, and two from the Service. Due to a lower number of captures than expected, the target number for marking was subsequently reduced to 20,000 total adult walleye (10,000 GLIFWC and 10,000 MNDNR). Although the effort was hampered by bad weather, the lower number of captures suggests that the actual adult walleye population is probably less than the estimated 400,000 individuals. A complete analysis of the results is pending.
Resource Outputs: Assist GLIFWC in the capture of 10,000 adult walleye for marking in Mille Lacs Lake, MN. Determine the estimated adult walleye population in Mille Lacs Lake, MN as accurately as possible in order to recommend harvest quotas that will maintain a sustainable walleye fishery. Implement a double marking system that will provide long term growth and movement information. Provide accurate information to the angling public with regard to adult walleye abundance in Mille Lacs lake, MN.
