VHS is spread when contaminated water or fish are transported from one lake to another. This affects a great deal of the fishing world from the transportation of minnows for bait and fry or fingerlings for stocking programs.

“We’re very concerned about VHS in the Great Lakes, as well as in Michigan and Wisconsin,” Johannes said. “We don’t know how it will impact our stocking programs, but we are planning for that and how to deal with it when it comes.”

The DNR is conducting surveillance monitoring on stocking and rearing ponds to make sure they are VHS free.

The Job
Payer said the most enjoyable part of his job is talking with people around the state who enjoy fishing.

“I’ve found them to be knowledgeable and most folks are fun to talk with, but it’s always good to talk fishing,” he said.

A resident of the northeastern metro, Payer does plenty of fishing on Forest Lake and other lakes in the Chisago area mostly because they are close to home. When he has a chance to fish elsewhere, he does because he likes to move around and experience all the fishing opportunities around the state.

“I like walleye fishing, but I also like going after catfish and bass,” he said. “I try to cover waters throughout the state and talk with people wherever I go.”

Speaking with those directly affected by his job is an interesting phenomenon and he said the state’s anglers are the eyes and ears of the DNR.

“People sometimes pick things up before we do, especially the ones who fish a water every year for 40 years,” he said. “They hear things and see things and I really enjoy their perspectives.”

Their careers have spanned nearly three decades and Johannes and Payer are nearing retirement. They aren’t alone because in the next five to eight years, many so-called baby boomers will be leaving the DNR as well.

Changing faces at leadership levels may also result in changing perspectives on management, but Payer said he’s very confident about the future of the walleye management program.

“I’m impressed with the young people coming in. The vacancies we’ve recently filled have gone to some real top-shelf people,” Payer said. “It’s a great time to get into the field of fisheries and natural resources management because there are so many career opportunities in the near future.”