Cormorant Control Approved on Lake Vermilion
According to the Ely Timberjay newspaper the DNR recently announced their decision to kill ten up to 10% of the Double Crested Cormorants on Lake Vermilion this summer. In addition, cormorant eggs will be spread with vegetable oil to prevent them from hatching and at the same time not stimulate the birds to renest. Cormorant populations are skyrocketing in the Midwest. The Timberjay cites one example on Lake Vermilion’s Potato Island where there were 32 nests in 2004 and 424 nests in 2012. Anglers and Lake Vermilion lodge owners believe increasing numbers of the fish-eating cormorants will result in diminished gamefish populations in the lake. The DNR has already recorded reduced numbers of perch in Lake Vermilion which they believe could ultimately affect walleye populations. The Audubon Society of Minnesota believes Double-Crested Cormorants are often unfairly blamed for decreasing game fish populations and adamantly oppose cormorant control programs that have not been … Continue reading