Loon monitors needed for lakes in Crow Wing and Aitkin counties

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers to help monitor loon populations on selected lakes in Crow Wing and Aitkin counties. The Minnesota loon monitoring program is in its 12th year of counting loons in six index areas.

One index area is located north and west of Mille Lacs Lake between Garrison and Aitkin. Lake assignments have already been done for most of the 111 lakes in this index area, but volunteers are needed for 22 lakes.

The lakes in Aitkin County where loon monitors are needed are Section 12, Linde, Sixteen, Section 25, Lingroth, Mallard, Horseshoe, Three, Four, Shadow (Black), Long, Spirit, Hickory, Apple, Tarr and Lily. In Crow Wing County, monitors are needed for Long/Tame Fish, Clearwater, Rice, Reno, Unnamed and Long.

Instructional materials, maps and a data form will be provided. Volunteers need their own binoculars and transportation. A boat, canoe or kayak will be needed for some lakes; other lakes can be surveyed from shore. Time commitment is two to four hours per lake.

The survey must be conducted between 5 a.m. and noon during the survey period of July 2-12.

For information about being a loon monitor for one of these lakes, contact Kevin Woizeschke at (218) 833-8729 or kevin.woizeschke@dnr.state.mn.us.