Those who want to comment on these proposals can do so through 4:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

Comments can be made online by visiting the DNR website, by phone at 651-259-5221 or 888-646-6367, or by mail to Linda Erickson-Eastwood, Box 20, 500 Lafayette Road, St Paul, MN 55155-4020. Those who comment must provide their full name, address and phone number.

Specifically, the DNR proposes to extend the Lake Superior lake trout season from Sept. 30 to the first full weekend of October. This change would allow additional fishing opportunity with little impact on the overall lake trout population. This change is consistent with the Lake Superior management plan.

Also, the DNR seeks to add five water bodies to its designated spawning beds and fish preserves list. This designation would allow the DNR, if necessary, to close these areas to fishing during the spawning season, primarily to encourage natural walleye production.

Water bodies proposed for this designation are:

Kabekona River between Kabekona Lake and Oak Lake (Hubbard Co.).

Ottertail River outlet of Little Pine Lake to the inlet of Big Pine Lake (Otter Tail Co.).

Rapid River from the mouth to State Highway 11 bridge (Lake of the Woods Co.).

Shell Lake outlet east of Highway 39 bridge to Section 17 border (Becker Co.).

Toad Lake outlet south to Mud Lake and inlet through first pond approximately 200 yards east (Becker Co.).

Cloquet artist wins walleye stamp contest

A painting of a walleye about to strike a leech and jig has been selected as the image for the 2011 Minnesota walleye stamp.

The painting, by Stuart Nelson of Cloquet, was selected from 10 designs submitted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“It’s a great image,” said Neil Vanderbosch of the DNR. “We encourage anglers to buy the new stamp when it goes on sale this spring.”

This is the second time Nelson has won a DNR-sponsored stamp contest. His painting was selected for the 1999 trout stamp contest and he finished second in the 2010 walleye stamp contest.

Vanderbosch said five entries made it to the second stage of judging, from which two finalists were selected. Contest judges were Don Dittberner, Outdoor News; Przemek Bajer, University of Minnesota; Mark Tipler, Tips Outdoors Foundation; and Mike Kurre and Deb Rose, DNR.

Funds generated from the $5 voluntary contribution are dedicated for walleye stocking activities. For $2 more, the DNR will mail the actual stamp to purchasers as a collector’s item. A walleye stamp is not necessary to catch or keep walleye. The 2010 walleye stamp is still available for purchase at all license vendors.

“It’s never too late to buy a walleye stamp,” said Vanderbosch. “They are available year-round.”

An artist whose work is selected for a Minnesota fish or wildlife stamp receives no compensation from the DNR, but does retain reproduction and marketing rights.

News Source: Minnesota DNR - Nov. 10, 2010