DNR seeks citizen volunteers to join fish species work groups   

Volunteers are being sought to join five citizen-agency work groups that will discuss how the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages fish. There will be individual work groups for bass, catfish, panfish and walleye, and one that will focus on both northern pike and muskellunge.

Volunteers may apply to one of the five groups. The application period is open from Wednesday, Oct. 1, to Wednesday, Nov. 19.

“Citizens can nominate themselves,” said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries chief. “These groups are about enhancing communication and discussion between citizens and the agency. In recent years these work groups have addressed angler concerns in detail.”

Work groups of 10 to 15 people each include volunteers and DNR staff who meet two to three times per year to discuss new research, population and harvest trends, and fisheries management. Participants will be selected by the DNR and can choose to serve a term of either two or three years. Meetings average four to six hours including travel time. The groups are advisory and do not make decisions on policy or fish management.

“The work groups support effective management of the state’s fisheries,” Pereira said. “We are seeking members who will reflect a range of public interests in fish management including recreation, effects on local economies, water quality, habitat and more.”
 
For more information or to find an application form, see www.mndnr.gov/fisheries/management.

P.S. The link won't work until Oct. 1st.