Group counts walleye in Heron Lake

The population of walleye in Heron Lake, introduced there by three groups in 1995, is growing according to a survey done there last week.
In a follow-up to the introduction of the fish to the coolwater lake in late May of that year, a team of Ministry of Natural Resources biologists and Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club volunteers netted fish there last Thursday through Sunday.
Over the four days, 12 trap nets were set in the water for about 24 hours, capturing 236 fish. Of those, there were 49 walleye, 84 northern pike, 98 white sucker, one yellow perch, and four rock bass.
All of the walleye and northern pike were measured and age samples taken before being released back into the lake. And the results, according to MNR biologist Darryl McLeod, were promising.
“Yeah, we’ve accomplished what we set out to do, which was get four days of samples and the results were very encouraging,” he said.
Of the 49 walleye caught, 20 were marked fish from the original stock transferred to the lake in 1995. But the remaining 29 were the result of natural reproduction in the lake–a positive sign those introduced in 1995 are taking hold.
The project was launched by the MNR, local sportsmen’s club, and then Stone Consolidated to make an additional spot for anglers. But while the walleye are now reproducing naturally, McLeod suggested they’d need a few more years to build a strong population before Heron Lake can be fished.
“We’re definitely going to have to give it a little time yet, the abundance isn’t what we want it to be,” he said. “What we’re looking for is at least 10 walleye per lift.”
But the walleye introduction, expected to be a 10-year project, is right on target. “We’re looking at another four years,” noted McLeod.
Heron Lake wasn’t the only lake to be stocked with walleye and is the third to be surveyed so far this year.
“In 1994-95, seven different lakes were stocked with walleye and one with another species of fish–black crappie in Sawbill Lake,” noted McLeod.
For the assessment, Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club provided the manpower to set and lift nets through the Community Fisheries/Wildlife Involvement Program and the Fish and Wildlife Protection and Enhancement Fund (Ontario’s Living Legacy).
“Oh definitely, they helped us provide the manpower to do the work and there’s a great knowledge of fishing management there,” said McLeod.
“We’re interested in conservation and we like to see new fishing areas,” noted club president Henry Miller. “They wanted help to clip them and release them so we [went].
“It was excellent. We don’t know for sure how it’s going to turn out but there was some recruitment,” added Miller, who helped out with the survey.
“Only time will tell how well it really works.”
Club members, unable to resist, also assisted in the survey by angling in the lake, catching 45 northern pike and one walleye.
The lake remains closed to walleye angling until further assessments are completed and a target is reached.