The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will identify several new spawning beds and fish preserves in the northern half of Minnesota and adjust the descriptions of several existing beds/preserves if proposed new rules are adopted by the department.

Citizens have until 4:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, to comment on the proposed rules, which affect portions of Itasca, Lake, Beltrami, Todd, St. Louis, Carlton, Clearwater, Hubbard, Becker, Douglas, Cass, Crow Wing, Ottertail, Cook, Pope and Grant counties.

“Several new areas that could be seasonally posted to protect concentrations of spawning fish would be added in Beltrami County,” said Linda Erickson-Eastwood, DNR fisheries program manager. Becker and Crow Wing counties each would also have areas designated for posting. The other changes are cosmetic and would be made to correct legal descriptions.

A spawning bed or fish preserve is an area where fish concentrate to lay their eggs. The areas that are designated as such may need to be seasonally closed to the taking of fish to protect concentrated populations of walleye, bluegill and crappie from being harvested during the first week or two of the season.

For some areas it is important to also ensure that human activities don’t interfere with the incubation of eggs. These types of protections can help ensure a sustainable fish population.

Comments and questions about the rules must be submitted in writing by the deadline to Erickson-Eastwood at 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020.

The proposed set of rules is available on the DNR Web site at www.mndnr/gov or in the State Register. (page 2263.)