DNR fisheries biologists in the BWCA in August 2026. Submitted image
DNR Researchers Travel Deep into the BWCA to Study Lake Trout Waters
By Joe Friedrichs
Aaron Sundmark and Derek Bahr are fisheries biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The researchers are involved with the DNR’s Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA). The program focuses on water temperature and oxygen levels in bodies of water that have lake trout, cisco and other coldwater species of fish. Many of the lakes in the program’s assessment area are located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Aaron and Derek spent a week in mid-August conducting research in the BWCA. They entered at the Cross Bay entry point and exited Aug. 20 at Sawbill Lake. The tested conditions for lake trout in the following lakes along their route: Karl, Long Island, Gordon, Frost, Cash, Town, Cherokee, Mesaba, and Wine.
This project is a partnership between numerous DNR fisheries offices, including those in International Falls, Tower, Grand Marais, and Finland, Minn. Other support comes from the U.S. Forest Service, the Headwaters Project (Save The Boundary Waters), and several other volunteers. The work is supported by the Legacy Amendment, through the Clean Water Fund. Learn more about their research here.
Learn more about their research here.
Joe from the Paddle & Portage Podcast spoke with Aaron and Derek in Grand Marais following their research trip in the BWCA Wilderness.
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