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Upper Red Lake Crappie Fishing Project Maps & GPS
The Upper Red Lake Area Association Inc. was recently assisted by Giziibii RC&D in preparing a grant application to the Beltrami County Red Lake Game Development Fund. This grant application was successfully funded for $15,000. The grant provided the means for the Upper Red Lake Area Association to build and install 40 underwater log cribs on the East Side of Upper Red Lake. Upper Red Lake consists of 107,800 acres and is one of the largest inland lakes in Minnesota. These structures enhance the lower-end of the food chain and create artificial structure to congregate the Black Crappie for improved sport fishing. The Black Crappie population in the lake has increased in recent years. This may have been in response to the decrease in Walleye. Since it is predicted that the recovery of the Walleye population will take around ten years, harvesting of the Black Crappie may even help to reestablish the Walleye by reducing predators. A technical committee with representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Red Lake Band of Chippewa - DNR, United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service and the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation District helped to develop the project plan. Giziibii RC&D acted as fiscal agent for this grant. The Upper Red Lake Area Association partnered with the North Beltrami Sportsmen's Club, DNR Section of Fisheries, Beltrami SWCD, Giziibii RC&D and many local volunteers to construct and install the log cribs. Jerry Stensing served as Project Coordinator and provided technical assistance through the Beltrami SWCD. Kelly Petrowske, a fourth generation area resident, coordinated construction and installation. Harlan Vitalis served as construction and installation Forman. With the help of these organizations and individuals, and the efforts of over 60 volunteers, 40 log cribs have already been built and installed at two of the planned location. Additional log cribs will be installed in the third and fourth locations after sufficient ice has formed during winter 1999/2000.
It is hoped that the improved Black Crappie fishing will give the area a much-needed economic boost by increasing tourism. Local fishermen have already discovered the value of these structures and preliminary economic impacts of the "Crappie Boom" are very favorable. The North Cluster of log cribs are located 1 3/4 miles south of Gill Bar and the South Cluster is located 3/4 miles from the south shore.
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