Effective management of Minnesota’s fisheries relies on access to the best available science to inform decisions. The fisheries research unit consists of researchers and support staff who work in area fisheries offices statewide.
Staff conduct applied research that evaluates management practices; develops new management tools and sampling techniques; and anticipates responses of fisheries to new and existing stressors.
- Highlights
Invasive species: unexpected impacts
Water clarity research on Mille Lacs Lake shows that the impacts of invasive species can offset each other.
What are predator fish eating?
A project designed to look at the diets of muskellunge, walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass in Minnesota lakes continues this year.
Big cats inhabit the Minnesota
A three-year study of Minnesota River flathead catfish between Mankato and Shakopee showed an abundant population of large fish topping 20 inches.
Are perch getting smaller?
A project designed to find out why the number of yellow perch are declining in fish population counts continues this summer in 25 Minnesota lakes.
Project archive
- Publications
Investigational reports: Minnesota DNR fisheries section publications for research studies that have more local or regional management implications.
Special publications: DNR manuals, lake management plans, guidelines or reviews.
Peer-reviewed publications: Research studies that are published in scientific journals and have gone through a rigorous peer review process. Results of these studies influence fisheries management beyond Minnesota. Copies of these reports can usually be received by contacting the author.- Staff
Fisheries research unit staff have a broad range of skills and expertise including population and fish community dynamics; bioenergetics and food web dynamics; genetics; stock assessment; statistics; fish habitat; assessment methodologies and hydroacoustics; watershed and landscape ecology; and long term monitoring.
Name Position Location Patrick Schmalz Fisheries research manager St. Paul John Hoxmeier Research supervisor St. Paul Patrick Schmalz Research supervisor Duluth Tyler Ahrenstorff Research scientist Brainerd Bethany Bethke Research scientist Duluth Doug Dieterman Research scientist Lake City Will French Long-term monitoring biologist St. Paul Brian Herwig Research scientist Bemidji Beth Holbrook Research scientist Brainerd Tom Jones Treaty fisheries coordinator Aitkin Dale Logsdon Research scientist Waterville Tim Martin Long-term monitoring biologist St. Paul Loren Miller Research scientist St. Paul Devon Oliver Research scientist Lake City Kristen Patterson Research scientist Bemidji Heidi Rantala Research scientist Duluth Jeff Reed Research scientist Glenwood Casey Schoenebeck Research scientist Glenwood Steve Shroyer Research scientist Waterville Chris Smith Research scientist Glenwood David Staples Biometrician St. Paul - Contact
Patrick Schmalz, fisheries research supervisor, St. Paul
[email protected]
tel. 651-259-5231