With the technique proven feasible, DU and the DNR expanded the effort in 2002 and 2003 to as many as 80 lakes. Heavy summer precipitation again in 2002 reduced success, but a drier year in 2003 lead to a bumper crop of wild rice—some say the best in two decades. By managing these 80 lakes, DU biologists were able to affect some 25,000 acres of rice habitat—almost half the entire acreage in the state. Early indications are that the fall migration use of the lakes has been spectacular.
By creating an ongoing program (at a relatively inexpensive cost of less than $100,000), DU biologists have been able to use the best local trappers—folks who work year around. Since they know they will be working on the same lakes year after year, the trappers concentrate their efforts on these lakes during the regular trapping season, ensuring pelts are prime. Relatively few beaver are trapped in the summer—when pelts are of no value—and only when absolutely necessary and under DNR permit.
DU’s goal is to maintain the current program to manage beavers and water levels of previously protected wild rice lakes to sustain their productivity. We also are planning to greatly expand the land-protection program to secure the remaining unprotected wild rice lake shorelines with funding from private donors and government agencies. This resource is critical to the future of waterfowl in the woods of Minnesota, and there is a narrow window of opportunity to protect it given the recreational development pressures. With good fortune, DU and our partners will ensure the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” includes a good measure of those with wild rice.
By Tom Landwehr