The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources,
Section of Fisheries, conducted a creel
survey on Lake Vermilion in 2009, as part of the
statewide Large Lake Program. Creel survey is
a scientific method of estimating fishing pressure
and fish harvest from a series of boat counts and
angler interviews. The surveys are a valuable tool
for managing fish populations. Creel
surveys are conducted on Lake Vermilion
two consecutive years out of every six
years. Aerial boat counts are used in
conjunction with angler interviews to make
estimates of fishing pressure and fish harvest.
On Lake Vermilion, creel survey is done from
opening day of the walleye season through the
end of September. The survey only includes
boat anglers fishing during daylight hours.
There was an estimated 580,400 hours of
fishing pressure on Lake Vermilion during the
survey period. The fishing pressure was similar
to that observed in other recent creel surveys. A
large increase in fishing pressure has been
noted since the first creel surveys were done in
1984 and 1985. Some of the increased fishing
pressure can be attributed to the muskie fishery
that has developed on the lake. In 2009, 16% of
anglers interviewed were seeking muskie.
About 67% of the interviewed anglers were
seeking walleye, while 9% were seeking either
smailmouth bass or largemouth bass.
An estimated 68,800 walleye weighing 53,900 pounds
were harvested in 2009, the lowest walleye
harvest observed on Lake Vermilion since 1996.
The low walleye harvest was due primarily to
poor reproduction in 2004 and 2005; and
the protected slot limit which reduced harvest
of larger fish, particularly on West Vermilion.
The walleye harvest was well below the
safe harvest target of 65,000 pounds for Lake
Vermilion. Safe harvest targets were established
for lakes in the Large Lake Program in
1996 to help protect walleye populations in
these lakes. The walleye harvest in 2002 and
2003 was well above the safe harvest target,
which resulted in the special regulation that
began in 2006. An additional 47,000 pounds of
walleye would likely have been harvested if the
17-26 inch protected slot had not been in place,
pushing the harvest well above the safe harvest
target. The walleye harvest included an estimated
3,200 pounds of release mortality and
1,400 pounds of fish that were in the protected
slot and illegally harvested. An estimated
181,853 walleye were caught and released
during the survey period. Fishing success for
walleye varied widely between East Vermilion
and West Vermilion in 2009. The walleye harvest
on East Vermilion was near average, while
the harvest on West Vermilion was one of the
the lowest ever observed. Poor walleye fishing
on West Vermilion was due primarily to poor
reproduction in 2004 and 2005. In addition, the
2006 year class is stronger on East Vermilion,
which resulted in better fishing on that lake
basin.
An estimated 3,600 northern pike weighing
7,500 pounds were harvested during the
survey period, the lowest pike harvest ever
documented on Lake Vermilion. Northern pike
harvest is restricted by the special regulation
that was implemented in 2003. Harvest of
northern pike had been declining even before
the special regulation went into effect. Declining
harvest prior to 2003 may have been related to
increased catch and release fishing and fewer
anglers targeting northern pike. An estimated
31,900 northern pike were caught and released.
An estimated 4,300 smallmouth bass
weighing 7,300 pounds were harvested in 2009,
similar to harvests in 2003 and 2008. Harvest of
smallmouth bass had been declining prior to
2003, but has increased in recent surveys,
probably because of higher abundance. An
estimated 39,700 smallmouth bass were caught
and released.
An estimated 950 largemouth bass
weighing 1,900 pounds were harvested during
the survey period, similar to harvests in other
recent surveys. Largemouth bass are more
abundant in West Vermilion and most of the
harvest came from that lake basin. An estimated
21,700 largemouth bass were caught and
released.
No harvested muskie were encountered
during the survey, producing a harvest estimate
of zero fish. It is known that a few muskie are
harvested each year, although that number is
believed to be quite low. An estimated 1,600
muskie were caught and released, slightly below
the catch in 2008. Many muskie are caught at
night and during late fall; and these fish are not
documented during the survey. The largest
muskie reported during the survey was 53
inches long.
An estimated 8,300 black crappie weighing
5,700 pounds were harvested in 2009,
slightly above harvests observed in other recent
surveys. Crappie are more abundant in West
Vermilion and most of the harvest came from
that lake basin. An estimated 4,400 crappie
were caught and released.
The bluegill harvest was estimated to be
14,500 fish weighing 4,800 pounds, slightly
below the 2008 harvest. Most of the harvest
came from West Vermilion, where bluegill are
much more abundant. An estimated 51,300
bluegill were caught and released.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Lake Vermilion anglers for their cooperation
during the 2008 and 2009 creel surveys.
The interview process may be a little inconvenient,
however the information gained is very
valuable. Creel survey clerks who have worked
during our surveys were very impressed with
how cooperative and friendly Lake Vermilion
anglers were. That cooperation s much appreciated.
I encourage anyone who has questions
about the creel surveys to contact me or stop by
our office for a visit. The DNR office is located
just west of Tower on highway 169.
Duane Williams, Large Lake Specialist MN DNR Section of Fisheries 650 Highway 169 Tower, MN 55790 Phone: 218-753-2580 ext. 224 e-mail: duane.williams@state.mn.us |