As mentioned previously, the DNR people on the lake today were doing a survey to determine what is called the "Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). The intent of the survey was to assess the "health" of the lake by looking for a few particular species of minnows that tend to die out easily and quickly in lakes where the water quality is starting to get bad. In fact, these particular species of minnow are so susceptible to unhealthy lake conditions that their mere presence in a lake indicates that it is in a fairly healthy state. As it turned out, things look rather good for LBL since several specimens of the appropriate species were found.

Here the DNR guys are using a seine to catch minnows.

Here they're using a back-pack electro-fisher (shocker) to stun the minnows.

Lunch time!

This is one of the species of minnow they were delighted to find. It's a Mottled Sculpin and its length is slightly more than an inch.

This is the another species they were hoping to find. It's a Black-chinned Shiner.