Hearing will examine proposed new rules on Lake Jennie

Talk about it

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing about the management and Wildlife Lake Designation of Jennie Lake near Brandon in Douglas County.

The hearing will take place Thursday, December 11, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Evansville Community Hall, 123 Second Avenue West in Evansville.

Jennie Lake, a 316-acre shallow basin located within the West Branch of the Chippewa River watershed, has long been considered an important waterfowl migration lake.

A State Waterfowl Refuge was established in 1971 at the request of local hunters and landowners, which included the lake and approximately 340 acres of adjacent land.

At present, Jennie Lake is in a degraded condition, typical of many shallow lakes in west-central Minnesota. Water quality and clarity are considered poor. High water levels, excessive nutrients, and a dense fathead minnow population are likely causes of the degradation.

The DNR proposes to improve water quality and waterfowl habitat in Jennie Lake through water level management. The DNR also proposes to restrict the use of motorized watercraft on the lake.

The lake would remain open to recreational use with non-motorized watercraft and watercraft with electric motors powered by one 12-volt battery.

At the hearing, the public may view a presentation of the proposed management plan and submit comments.

Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Kevin Kotts, area wildlife supervisor, or Todd Call, wildlife lakes specialist, at the Glenwood Area Wildlife Office, 23070 N. Lakeshore Drive, Glenwood; (320) 634-0342; or e-mail kevin.kotts@dnr.state.mn.us or todd.call@dnr.state.mn.us.

Written comments and testimony on this proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14

Tags: lake, jennie, brandon, news, dnr, anglers, fishing