Minnesota DNR bolsters steelhead population in North Shore streams, Lake Superior

First-ever surplus of wild Lake Superior strain juvenile steelhead utilized for stocking

MN DNR

In 2017, the Minnesota De­partment of Natural Resources began raising steelhead trout to bolster the population of these types of fish in streams along the North Shore of Lake Supe­rior and in Lake Superior itself. The program began with the intent to raise “clipped-for-har­vest” fish, which means only fish with a clipped adipose fin can be kept by anglers. The ad­ipose fin is a small fin on the back of the fish between the dorsal (large fin on the back of the fish) and caudal fin (tail fin).

With multiple fish being more than 5 years old now, the pro­gram is working with fully matured adults in prime repro­duction age. Female fish are producing more eggs than in previous years and reproduc­tion is exceeding expectations. The program goals were set by the DNR’s’ Lake Superior fisheries staff and, compared to those goals, a surplus of steel­head were produced. The DNR used this surplus of steelhead juveniles, which will be of harvestable age in the coming years, to increase populations in the following areas:

• Lake Superior at Two Harbors – 63,000 fall fingerlings
• Sucker River – 62,000 fall fingerlings
• Knife River – 14,000 spring yearlings

Stream conditions have been unfavorable for steelhead to naturally produce due to a five-year drought and flood cycle, which caused populations to drop by at least 50-80%.

“We’re excited because this is the first year the broodstock we have been developing is also exceeding our expecta­tions,” said Cory Goldsworthy, Lake Superior Fisheries super­visor. “Given the low popula­tion of steelhead in our streams and Lake Superior, our surplus of fish couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The success of this program led to conversations with stake­holders about how to best uti­lize future broodstock, where to stock them, and a potential to focus on other species, like native brook trout. This infor­mation will also help to update the DNR’s Lake Superior fish­eries management plan.

For more information on fishing or to learn how to fish, new and seasoned anglers can explore classes and programs on the Minnesota DNR’s learn to fish page.

Two Harbors Council Considers Electric & Gas Rate Increases

Consultant Dave Berg, made a pre­sentation to the City Council to help them consider electric and gas rate increases that will likely need to be made in the coming year. Mr. Berg brings over 40 years of ex­perience to his con­sultation work with municipalities, help­ing them determine cost of service and rate design for their utility services. His presentation detailed revenue reserves and operating costs for the city’s electric and gas utilities with compar­ative cost of service rates from other sim­ilar sized Minnesota cities. Electric and gas rates will not see an increase before April of 2025, but custom­ers can expect to see some increase over the course of next year. The Council had the opportunity to approve the proposed increase but voted to table that decision so that they had more time to study the proposal and so that Council members who were not pres­ent at Monday night’s meeting could bring their perspectives to the discussion. The Council will take this issue up again at their January meeting.

Residents should mark their calendars for the upcoming Truth in Taxation meeting which is scheduled for December 9th.

The Two Harbors li­brary continues to of­fer activities, tutoring and homework sup­port for middle school aged kids on Thurs­days from 3:20 – 4-30 at the THHS library. The Library recent­ly received a $10,000 grant for helping im­prove services for patrons who struggle with dementia. The library will be closed on December 24th and 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday and will close at 4:00 on New years Eve.

Deb Scott has been hired as part time In­terim Executive Di­rector for the Two Harbors HRA. She will continue her work with Community Part­ners.

In other business, the Council accept­ed a recommendation for logo design for the Breakwall Bottle Shoppe.

The next Two Har­bors City Council meeting will be held on December 9th at 5:30 PM.