If you're a catfish angler, the DNR wants you.
The agency is gathering information about catfish in metro region rivers to get a better idea of their population and movement. The DNR plans to tag some fish, and if anglers catch a tagged fish, they'd like to know about it. Officials are asking catfish anglers to take a survey and keep diaries of their angling efforts.

From a DNR news release:

Anglers willing to take the 12-question survey can do so online.

Anglers may also send an e-mail to MetroEast.Catfish@dnr.state.mn.us or call 651-259-5806 to request that a paper copy of the survey be mailed to them.

Anglers who catch and release a tagged catfish should record the species, length, tag number, location caught, and release the fish with the tag in place. Anglers who harvest a tagged fish should record the same information and report the fish as harvested. Anglers not participating in the catfish angler diary program can still report tagged fish locations using the DNR Web site or by contacting the phone number or e-mail address listed above.

LAKE ANKA HEARING

Lake Anka has long been considered an important waterfowl lake, as is its neighbor, Lake Christina. Now the DNR is proposing to formally designate Lake Anka for wildlife management. That would give the DNR authority to conduct periodic water drawdowns to reduce rough fish and boost wildlife habitat.

Anka and Christina are connected and have been managed together for decades. The wildlife designation would be part of a larger project to continue to improve Lake Christina, which was designated a wildlife lake in 1984, for waterfowl migration habitat using water level management.

The DNR will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. June 30, at the Lund Township Hall, 17443 Lake View Ave. NW, Evansville.

You can comment at the public hearing. Written comments also may be submitted to Thomas Carlson, waterfowl habitat specialist, Fergus Falls Area DNR Office, 1509 1st Ave. North, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, or to Thomas.Carlson@dnr.state.mn.us. The deadline for written comments is 4:30 p.m. on July 31.

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