The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to review and comment on lake management plans for nine Duluth-area lakes by July 31. Lake management plans, which are prepared or revised for several lakes each year in each management area, describe the past, present and desired future conditions of lakes. The plans outline specific management activities planned for lakes in the next five to 20 years, including surveys and assessments. Other management activities such as stocking, habitat or access improvements, or regulation changes may also be included.

In the Duluth area, plans for the following lakes will be reviewed between now and July 31:

• in Carlton County - Bear Lake and Corona Lake
• in St. Louis County - Blackwood Lake, Hart Lake, King Lake, Little Coyote Lake, Nichols Lake, Stone Lake and Strand Lake.

Printable copies of the draft plans and comment forms are available on the DNR Web site at http://www.mndnr/areas/fisheries/duluth/index.html.

Copies of the draft plans are also available for review from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the DNR Duluth Area Fisheries Office, 5351 North Shore Drive, Duluth, or by calling (218) 525-0853, ext. 200. Plans may also be requested by sending a mailing address, along with the name of the lake for which the plan is requested, to rhonda.mittlefehldt@dnr.state.mn.us.

Comments, which can be sent by mail or e-mail, are due at the Duluth Area Fisheries Office by July 31, 2008.