50 Years, 50 Legacies: Larry Kallemeyn
50 Legacies: Larry Kallemeyn
Stepping out onto the dock at Kabetogama Lake – titled "Larry's office” by his wife
When Voyageurs National Park was still finding its footing, so too was its approach to understanding and managing the waters that define it. Larry Kallemeyn arrived at the park in 1980 as its fisheries (aquatics) biologist, beginning his career with the National Park Service at a time when aquatic science would become central to the park’s future. Later, as federal science programs evolved, Larry transitioned to the U.S. Geological Survey, where he continued his work while remaining duty-stationed at Voyageurs.
Fisheries research and management in northern Minnesota had long been led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and National Park Service researchers were often met with skepticism. Building trust with local communities, state partners, and fellow scientists took time.
Over time, Larry and the local DNR staff, including Denny Ernst and Kevin Peterson, developed a strong working relationship and mutual respect that would become foundational to the park’s success.
Over his 27-year career at Voyageurs (1980-2007), Larry built an extraordinary body of work. He was the lead author of the Aquatic Synthesis for Voyageurs National Park (2003), a comprehensive and enduring resource that summarized everything known about the park’s aquatic ecosystems. The synthesis addressed complex and sometimes contentious issues including contaminants, water level management, and sport and commercial fishing. Today, it remains a cornerstone document guiding aquatic resource management at Voyageurs.
Larry also played a key role in addressing the impacts of regulated lake levels on the ecosystem. His research and leadership helped develop alternatives that ultimately led to changes in lake management, restoring a more natural hydrologic regime and benefiting fish, wildlife, and the broader watershed. As part of this work, he was appointed by the International Joint Commission to two boards: first, to help develop a plan of study evaluating the IJC 2000 Order, and later to serve as a U.S. representative on the six-member Rainy-Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board.
Larry holding a 4kg lake sturgeon
Larry looking at a map involved in a multi-agency water quality survey on Rainy Lake
Beyond the park, Larry built an extensive network of collaborators and published numerous peer-reviewed papers, contributing to aquatic science across the entire watershed, and served as President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, as well as several AFS parent committees and was an associate editor for the journal Transactions of the AFS in 2002-2003.
In 2008, Larry’s career was formally recognized with an award from the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation at the annual water quality forum. The Kallemeyn Award, named in his honor and now presented annually at the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum, celebrates his scientific contributions and collaborative approach.
The first-ever Kallemeyn Award reflects the views of his peers, "Throughout his career Larry made significant contributions to scientific understanding and resource management in the basin. Importantly, Larry was the consummate professional and his collaborative and cooperative approach contributed significantly to cross border collaboration, public engagement and understanding for this international lake and its watershed."
Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!
This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy. Years, 50 Legacies is a yearlong storytelling series highlighting individuals whose lives are woven into the fabric of the park – whether through conservation work, cultural traditions, recreation, research, or personal connection.
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