Can the lake trout population sustain a commercial fishery in Minnesota?
A.The MNDNR recognizes the cultural heritage and the important role that commercial fishing has played along the North Shore. Commercial fishing provides fresh fish to local restaurants and stores that may be enjoyed by residents and tourists that do not have the opportunity to fish. An experimental assessment fishery that allows some harvest of lake trout is proposed provided that a harvestable surplus of lake trout is available and the fishery can be implemented in a sustainable manner. Implementation may vary by management zone and would not occur until 3 years after stocking has been discontinued in that zone. Although lake trout have made significant progress, restoration is not complete in Minnesota and it is best to proceed cautiously.
