
230 
WATERFOWL SURVEY CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST-MINNESOTA, 
1937 - 1954 
William J. Ellerbrock, Jr. 
Introduction 
The annual Chippewa National Forest waterfowl survey was taken for the 
thirteenth time since 1937 Minnesota Conservation Department Biologist John 
Zorichak, Army Engineer Biologist R. W. Buselmeier, U. 5S. Game Management 
Agents Loren J. Bonde and William J. Ellerbrock conducted the census production 
studies during the week of July 12 - 16, 1954. The methods and times were the same 
as previous years. 
Water Conditions 
Except for Mud Lake, the water levels on all areas were about the same as 
last year, 10.5 at the Winnibigoshish Dam. Due to heavy rains the level of Mud Lake 
raised 1.5 feet between June 24 and July 12, 1954. Aquatic vegetation was more 
abundant than last year, especially the Third River area. The wild rice looked good 
in all areas except Mud Lake which appeared to be damaged by the recent change in 
water level. 
Breeding Population 
Table [ illustrates the results of the 1954 breeding population as compared 
with previous years. 
Table I. Breeding Population of.1954 as Compared with Previous Years. 
1939 Change 
Area 1940 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 From 1939 
Bowstring Lake 519 498 416 337 521 545 263 120 285 = 234 
Burns Lake 215 107 170 84 108 103.231 29 126 - 89 
Kitchi Lake 241 168 239 48 69 161 246 117 = 165 - 76 
Lower Pigeon Lake 28 5 24 30 57 35 50 12 26 - 2 
Mud Lake 181 230 271 200 8] 45 24 9 110 - 71 
Rabideau Lake 94 119 215 49 64 140 193 153 185 + 91 
Raven Lake 198 33 22 17 25 18 128 22 1 - 197 
Round Lake 580 490 606 574 382 505 714 261 198 - 382 
Third River 650 420 1010 526 301 1019 239 61 258 ~ 392 
L. Winnibigoshish 568 262 88 224 157 202 104 142 98 - 470 

Total 3274 2332 3108 2089 1765 2833 2192 926 1452 -1822 59% 
