As of February 9th, the gray-morph GYRFALCON was still in Dakota County near the junction of Dakota County Road 42 and State Highway 55. It was last reported about one-quarter of a mile east of the irrigator in the nearby farm field. Another was seen on the 6th at the intersection of Aitkin County Roads 5 and 18, though the bird flew off to the south and was not relocated.

As many as six GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen on February 3rd, west of Wild River State Park in Chisago County. All were reported between the park entrance and town of Sunrise. In Hennepin County, a Great Gray Owl was reported on the 4th at Elm Creek Park Reserve near Champlin. The exact location was along Zachary Lane, just before Hayden Lake Road, in an elm tree in the field to the west.
John Ellis found a SNOWY OWL on February 5th at the Rothsay Wildlife Management Area in Wilkin County. The bird was at the intersection of County Road 176 and Township Road 234, along with at least two SHORT-EARED OWLS.

There was an interesting report of a SNOW GOOSE from February 7th. It was seen in the company of several CANADA GEESE on the Mississippi River beneath the Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis.

On February 4th, a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE was seen outside Lori’s Coffee Shop along Cleveland Avenue in St. Paul. The coffee shop is just west of the St. Paul Campus. And the Townsend’s Solitaire was still present on the 4th along the road to the Ann Lake Campground in Sherburne County. To view this bird, take U.S. Highway 169 to Sherburne County Road 9. Travel west to County Road 5 and turn south, driving roughly five miles to the campground road.

Lyle Lessond, has two VARIED THRUSHES in his Lakeville backyard in Dakota County. Both birds were seen as recently as February 10th. Another Varied Thrush was reported on the 5th by Darrell Mortenson. This bird has been visiting his feeder along Wildwood Lane in Breezy Point, in Crow Wing County, for the past six weeks.

And finally, reports of NORTHERN SHRIKES have been increasing, and there have been recent observations from the counties of Dakota, Ramsey, Chisago, Anoka, Pine, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs.

PLEASE CHECK WITH LOCAL BAIT SHOPS AND RESORTS FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE CONDITIONS. AND, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ICE IS NEVER CONSIDERED TOTALLY SAFE. The Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV’s, and 8-12 inches of new, clear ice for cars and small trucks. Melting and refreezing of ice makes it less stable, especially in areas with springs or current such as near lake inlets and outlets.

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
Fish Lake is producing walleye in 12-14 feet of water on glow hooks tipped with shiner minnows. Crappies are biting on Caribou Lake at night in similar depths.

KABETOGAMA
Anglers are having success on the east end of Lake Kabetogama and on the west end of Lake Namakan. Walleye and sauger are being pulled from 28-35 foot depths during the day. For northern pike, try a tip-up and light sucker minnow. A little lake trout action is being reported by anglers accessing the interior lakes, such as Makuda.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye and sauger action has slowed, however northern pike are becoming more active. A number of large fish have recently been pulled from the area straight out from Island View Lodge, and near Rainy Lake City. The best approach has been to work 20 foot depths, along the flats, using ciscoes and glow jigs.

GRAND RAPIDS
The north end of Bowstring Lake is producing some nice-size crappies and perch on glow jigs tipped with a small minnow. Little Splithand Lake is giving up some crappies in 20 feet of water at dusk. Rice Lake is productive during morning and evening hours in depths of 20 feet. Northern pike can be found using tip-ups and light sucker minnows just off most weedlines.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, resorts are moving their fish houses northward across the Big Traverse to better walleye fishing spots. Walleye, and some large sauger in the 3- to 4.5-pound range, are being caught and released along the South Shore. A few jumbo perch and tullibee are even being reported. Try a gold or glow red jig for the most fish. On the Rainy River, fish are extremely active due to a good current and adequate water levels. Blue, and gold jigs have been the most successful. Anglers are asked to watch for areas with slush. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, very large jumbo perch are hitting nearly anything dropped through a hole!

WASKISH
On Upper Red Lake, the key has been to leave the crowds. Most of the fish are being taken during evening hours, with some areas producing fish all day long.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, numbers of large, 10- to 11 1/2-inch perch are being reported. Some of the better locations include Raven’s Point and the River Bar, roughly 1 1/2 miles south of Stoney Point. Hit the edges of the bars in 27-31 feet using a northland jiggle bug tipped with a small shiner minnow for the most fish. Stay mobile and work several spots until you locate these hungry fish. Some eating-size walleye are coming in with the perch. Crappie action is expected to increase in the near future.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, walleye are active at Walker Bay at night. Also try Cedar Point during evening hours. And don’t forget the hilarious, fun-filled Eelpout Festival held February 11-13 on Leech Lake. For more information, check out www.poutfest.com

PARK RAPIDS
Try a shiner minnow in 30 foot depths on Long Lake for some walleye action. Big Mantrap Lake is giving up northern pike in 14-16 feet of water, as well as suspended crappies in 22 feet of water. Fish Hook Lake has been best for bluegill action in depths of 12-14 feet.

DETROIT LAKES
A few walleye are coming in on rattle spoons tipped with a minnow head. Lakes to check out include Big Cormorant, Detroit, White Earth and Big Toad. Panfish action remains strong, with fish pulled from the shallows next to the weedbeds. For the most fish, try lindy pounders or frostee glow jigs tipped with a waxworm on Little Cormorant, Sand, Crystal, Floyd, Cotton, and Little Detroit.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Sunfish and crappies are biting on Lida, Lizzie, and Prairie lakes. Northern pike can also be found on these lakes using sucker minnows.

BATTLE LAKE
Ottertail Lake is giving up walleye in 30-35 feet of water on fatheads and shiners. Panfish action has been good on Rush and East Lost lakes. For northern pike, hit the weeds found in 14 feet of water using medium suckers or shiners on Ottertail, Clitheral or Battle lakes.

ALEXANDRIA
Mary and Geneva lakes are producing numbers of bluegill during the day. Crappies can be found during evening hours at the edge of the cabbage beds in 10-15 feet of water. A few walleye are being pulled from Ida and Miltona lakes using a jigging spoon and minnow head in 30-40 feet of water.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye can be found in 12-15 foot depths using fatheads and jigging baits. Glow jigs tipped with a waxworm have been best for sunnies and crappies.

BRAINERD
A few walleye are being taken from Gull and Pelican lakes during evening hours; hit both the shallow and deeper waters. Sunfish remain extemely active in 6-12 feet of water on several area lakes. For the most fish, use waxworms on small teardrops during morning hours. Northern pike action also remains good, with the Whitefish Chain producing the most fish. Hit the large cabbage flats adjacent to deep water points in 18-24 feet of water for numbers of 4- to 8-pound fish.

CROSSLAKE
Crappies are being pulled from 14-18 foot depths on minnows and small glow jigs. Panfish are being caught in 10-16 feet with waxworms and small jigs. Walleye anglers continue to catch numbers of smaller fish, along with an occasional keeper. The best approach has been to jig a shiner or rainbow on a small spoon. Northern pike are being taken on large pike minnows nworked along the weedlines.

NISSWA
Smaller area lakes are producing a few crappies on glow demons tipped with small crappie minnows or maggots. For the most fish, hit Clark, Nisswa, Margaret or Upper Gull lakes during evening hours. Most of these fish can be found suspended in the deepest water. A few small walleye and some large perch are being pulled from Gull Lake on fatheads and small jigging spoons. For numbers of large perch, work the shallow mid-lake humps found in 10-12 feet of water. Northern pike remain extremely active; anglers are reporting lots of action using a tip-up and shiner minnow in 10-16 feet on most area lakes.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, anglers are having success by staying on the move. Leave the fish house and drill a few holes in the less traveled mud, gravel or rocky areas. Begin in 25-28 feet of water and move deeper as the day progresses. Return to your starting spot as sundown approaches. For the most fish, try a rattle spoon or gem-n-eye in blue or green. Large northern pike are beginning to show up at shoreline breaks of the main lake reefs. The best approach has been a large shiner or sucker minnow in 8-12 feet of water. A few perch are coming in with the walleye, however the best perch bite is typically after mid-February.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ANNANDALE
Marie and French lakes are giving up numbers of panfish in 15-21 feet of water. Maggots and minnows are working equally well. A few walleye are being taken from Clearwater and Sylvia lakes, with a ten-pound fish recently pulled from Sylvia. Northern pike are active on Clearwater, John, Cedar and Granite lakes, and hitting suckers and large shiners worked in 15-24 feet of water, roughly 3-6 feet off the bottom.

MAPLE LAKE
Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from Rock and Little Maple lakes. For crappies, hit 30-35 foot depths, and for sunnies, check out 10-15 feet of water. Northern pike are active on most area lakes in 12-15 foot depths, just outside the weedlines. Try a sucker or shiner for numbers of fish. Green Lake, near Princeton, has been best for walleye and crappies. A few crappies are also being pulled from Little Rock Lake. And, don’t forget the Ice Fishing Contest on Maple Lake, and the St. Joe Rod and Gun Club Fishing Contest on Kraemer Lake this Saturday, February 5.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, anglers are taking panfish during morning and evening hours. Northern pike are being pulled from the weed edges and reefs found in 12-14 feet of water. A few walleye ae coming from the 18-20 foot reefs.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, crappies and northern pike are hitting shiners and suckers worked in 18-24 feet of water at the edge of the weeds. Walleye and crappies are hitting glow baits at dusk. Perch can be found using small jigs tipped with euro larvae in 8-12 feet of water at the smaller bays.

CHISAGO CITY
Sunrise Lake is giving up numbers of crappies, with fish averaging 10 ounces. Work the grassy areas in 10-16 feet of water. Kroon Lake is producing crappies during afternoon hours. Northern pike can be found using large shiners on Sunrise Lake. For sunfish, hit Green or South Center lakes during the day.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye and sauger remain active in depths of 22 feet over the sandy bottoms. For the most fish, try a swimming lure, jig or Swedish pimple with a minnow. Crappies can be found in 36-40 feet of water using a crappie minnow. Many of these fish are suspended up to 12 feet off the bottom. Please note that the recent warm temperatures may weaken ice near heavy current areas.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA
On the Mississippi River, panfish in the Nelson Lake area are actively hitting small purple jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes. The walleye bite has been good below the Red Wing Dam. The warm weather is expected to increase this bite even more.

MANKATO
Lake Washington is giving up crappies in 40 feet of water during the day. Sunfish can be found in the shallows. Walleye action has been best in 20 foot depths on German Lake. Big Jefferson and Loon lakes are also giving up walleye. For northern pike, hit Eagle Lake during morning and evening hours.

WILLMAR
Green, Eagle, Andrew and Nest lakes are producing walleye in 15-20 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Crappie action has been good on Norway, Games and Big Kandiyohi lakes.

ORTONVILLE
On Big Stone Lake, fish are being pulled from 3-5 feet of water at Hornstein’s on the north end of the lake. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow have been best. Perch are hitting crappie minnows worked in 12 foot depths along the south end of the lake near Kite Island. For a few northern pike, hit the top side of the dam at Odessa.

For additional information, contact: Eric Merten, DNR Fisheries Specialist, Lake City (651-345-3365) or visit the Trout Brook page at www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lanesboro/management.html

Trout Brook Project will Benefit Brook Trout

Trout Brook, a small, coldwater stream within the city limits of Red Wing, was once a fine little trout stream, according to historical documents. However, extensive logging and grazing in the early 1900’s resulted in severe erosion and sediment deposition in the stream. As a result, the brook trout disappeared from Trout Brook. That was bad news.

In recent years, however, there has been good news to report on this treasured trout stream. As land use practices in the Trout Brook watershed improved since the 1930s, both water quality and stream habitat conditions reached the point where the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was able to re-establish a small, self-sustaining population of brook trout in the stream in 1997 and 1998. The story of Trout Brook, however, is far from finished.

More work and long-term planning will be required if brook trout are to continue to live in Trout Brook. One problem currently being worked on involves a channel restoration project at the lower end, downstream of Goodhue County Highway 66 (Pioneer Road). The first step taken this fall was to stabilize a large headcut on Trout Brook.

Eric Merten, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries specialist at Lake City, explained that many years ago, when a portion of Hay Creek was straightened and the streambed lowered, a large headcut formed on Trout Brook near where it flows into Hay Creek. As water raced along narrow Trout Brook and then plunged several feet down into Hay Creek, “It literally eroded tons of sediment and also began to threaten Pioneer Road,” Merten said.

The headcut continued to chew away the streambed and banks as it crept further upstream, moving an additional 57 feet between 2002 and 2003. This continued erosion sent another 700 tons of sediment into Hay Creek and the Mississippi River that year, degrading much more habitat. The stream continued to encroach closer to Pioneer Road threatening the roadbed as well.

Last October, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Goodhue County, a DNR stream habitat crew was able to stabilize the headcut with rock riprap, slowing the rapid degradation and protecting Pioneer Road.

Although the stabilization project has finally stopped the damage, only an extensive restoration project will put the stream back in harmony with its watershed, sediment and floodplain. Slated to begin as soon as funding is secured, a large-scale restoration project will have significantly more natural and long-term benefits, Merten said.

Kevin Zytkovicz of DNR Ecological Services used advanced equipment and technologies along with known stream dimensions to produce a restored channel design that will be constructed on properties owned by Goodhue County and a private landowner.

“The proposed channel will be built away from Pioneer Road and will increase this reach of stream 800 feet by adding additional meanders” Zytkovicz explained. “This design will restore a more natural gradient and will improve its function by raising the streambed and allowing it to access the floodplain.” Vegetative buffers will also be planted along the stream to provide shade and to guard against streambank erosion. Jim Klevan of the Goodhue County Public Works Department said the project “is going to resolve a road problem and save the county money. This is certainly welcome news.”

Optimism over the project, however, should be tempered by what some see as a “potential dark cloud on the horizon,” Zytkovicz admitted. “Trout Brook is at the bottom of its watershed and is on the fringe of Red Wing’s development area. If a lot of new buildings and roads go in, Trout Brook could easily suffer the consequences of increased runoff and higher temperatures,” Zykovicz said.

“I talk with a lot of people from the Red Wing area that are excited that brook trout live again in a stream within our city,” said Brian Stewart of the WaHue Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We are also very pleased with the way the city, county, landowner, DNR and others are working together towards the stream restoration project. Now we need to be diligent and watchful that development in the Trout Brook watershed does not jeopardize these successes.”