Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee

Lake Huron Citizens
Fishery Advisory Committee
Established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to improve and maintain fishery resources
of Lake Huron through better communication and partnership.
Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee
Jay’s Sporting Goods, Clare, Michigan
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Approved Minutes
Attendees: Jim Baker, Gary Boersen, Dave Borgeson, Jerry Brown, Doreen Campbell, Lance Campbell, Bryan
Darland, Larry Desloover, Ed Eisch, Clarence Fetrow, Dave Fielder, Todd Grischke, Dennis Gulau, Tom Hamilton,
Ji He, Lindsey Henski, Kent Herrick, Jim Johnson, Tom Keerl, Gene Kirvan, Rick Kretzschmar, Frank Krist, Jerry
Lawrence, Gerald Lockhart, Terry Lyons, Ken Merckel, Craig Milkowski, Gary Nelkie, Tess Nelkie, Chuck Noel,
Judy Ogden, Brandon Schroeder, Alan Seiferlein, Julie Shafto, Fred Sterns, Aaron Switzer, Randy Terrian, Jan
VanAmberg, Terry Walsh, Lakon Williams, Ron Young, Ralph Zimmermann.
Welcome and Introductions: Frank Krist called the meeting to order. Introductions were made.
Progress reports on implementing yellow perch/walleye management actions in Saginaw Bay (Todd
Grischke, DNR Fisheries Division Lake Huron Basin Coordinator and Dave Fielder, Alpena DNR Research
Station).
Yellow perch and walleye regulation changes that will be presented to the Natural Resources
Commission: The recommendations developed by working through this committee regarding yellow perch
and walleye management options will be presented before the Natural Resource Commission tomorrow
October 8, 2015. This is an action item for the commission and will have immediate implementation if
approved. The current fishing guide will have an incorrect regulation. Please help spread the word to your
local organizations. The regulation in front of the commission is to increase the walleye bag limit from 5 to
8, reduce the size limit from 15 to 13 inches, and reduce the yellow perch bag limit from 50 fish to 25 fish
per day. This change affects the Great Lakes waters of MH-4, as well as the Saginaw River up to Center
Street Bridge (Douglas G Schenk Bridge). Note: The regulation changes that were passed are currently in
effect. For details and a map of the area impacted please click on the following link:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/11dd79f.
Cormorant reduction program conducted in the Bay during 2015: A diet study of Cormorant stomach
samples was conducted on Saginaw Bay in 2013 and 2014. Although Cormorants are not the leading
source of mortality, they are a significant contributing factor. In 2015, the DNR asked for a 10% reduction
in cormorant numbers. This is the maximum that can be requested without providing further justification.
The plan for Saginaw Bay in 2016 is to determine the appropriate number of cormorants necessary to
control the population and request that amount. A meeting is scheduled for October 19 to begin a dialogue
with US Fish & Wildlife Services on this approach. USDA Wildlife Services are also involved with
implementing and planning a cormorant management plan. A second, more formal meeting is scheduled
for this winter. The two year cormorant diet study will be published shortly and this will be the
documentation used when requesting support for a complete cormorant management plan for Saginaw Bay.
An update will be provided to this committee in April.
The DNR has worked closely with Peter Butchko from USDA Wildlife Services over the years but he has
retired. We are looking forward to working with the new coordinator.
Cisco rehabilitation efforts: Restoring cisco in Saginaw Bay would provide an additional prey base for
walleye. Historically, cisco were a main food item of walleye which reduced predation pressure on yellow
perch and allowed more perch to survive to be adults. There are cisco in northern Lake Huron, but the
population is a remnant of what it was and for many years, cisco have been rare below the Straits.
Spawning cisco do not migrate far from their spawning sites so they have been slow to establish other
populations throughout Lake Huron. The plan is to establish spawning populations in Saginaw Bay and
other sites by stocking them until enough adults are present. The Fish and Wildlife Service, will collect
eggs this fall during mid-November in the Les Cheneaux Islands and Drummond Island areas. Only a few
eggs will be taken this fall, with full scale collections taking place in 2016. The idea of importing cisco
from Lake Superior is under review. The Lake Superior strain of cisco is a different strain of cisco from
the strain that occurs currently on the shoals in northern Lake Huron but it is very similar to the strain that
existed in much of the Main Basin and Saginaw Bay before collapsing. Possibly testing new strains like
was done with lake trout rehabilitation program will assist in establishing cisco wild reproduction in most
of Lake Huron. For example, the most successful naturally reproducing strain of lake trout in Lake Huron
is the Seneca strain that originated from outside the Lake Huron watershed in Seneca Lake New York.
Discussions are occurring to determine if the Lake Superior strain will be stocked in Lake Huron.
Update on reducing yellow perch commercial fishing trap nets within Saginaw Bay and the
progress of establishing an experimental commercial whitefish trap net fishery in southern Lake
Huron: For decades, Fisheries Division has recognized that there is significant congestion with the
number of commercial fishing licenses and commercial fishing gear authorized in Saginaw Bay. The
fisheries resource of Saginaw Bay are not capable of supporting the current level of commercial
fishing effort. Therefore, the Department recently provided a permit to licensed commercial fisher,
Dana Serafin for exploration of new whitefish grounds near Harbor Beach.
This potential new fishery will be assessed under a three year Research Permit. During this time, Mr.
Serafin will retain some ability to continue fishing in Saginaw Bay until the fishing potential near
Harbor Beach is explored and understood. If successful during the second and third permit years,
significant gear reductions in Saginaw Bay would be required by Mr. Serafin. Within 3 years, a
decision will be made about establishing a permanent fishing license at Harbor Beach in exchange for
permanently relinquishing all of Dana’s current licenses and gear from Saginaw Bay.
Objectives for this research fishery and potential license include:
•
Remove the greatest amount of State commercial fishing licenses and associated fishing gear
from inner Saginaw Bay with an emphasis on small mesh trap nets.
•
Reduce the annual commercial yellow perch harvest from inner Saginaw Bay.
•
Evaluate the current lake whitefish population and stock health in Southern Lake Huron.
•
Commercially harvest lake whitefish over 17 inches total length without taking protected
game fish species and minimizing the catch of whitefish under 17 inches in length.
•
Evaluate and develop acceptable commercial fishing grounds which are compatible with other
Southern Lake Huron uses and values.
•
Evaluate the timely collection and public posting of trap net locations by the DNR as a
means to avoid accidental interaction with commercial fishing gear by other lake user
groups.
•
Evaluate the potential long term sustainability and profitability of a state-licensed large mesh
commercial trap net fishery for Lake Whitefish in Southern Lake Huron.
Test Netting Results:
The first three nets were set on June 8th, a fourth net was set on June 16th and a fifth net was set on
July 9th. Nets have been lifted 7 times since being set on June 8th. Soak times were 8, 12, 10, 12,
20, 13 and 26 nights with a median soak time of 14 days (10 day preference by the DNR). The
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catch slowed in late July and early August. The DNR was onboard conducting bio sampling when
three nets were lifted after soaking 8 nights.
Net 1
Net 2
Net 3
Pounds of Whitefish
8000
1500
2000
Undersized Whitefish
53
2
0
Other Species
74 lake trout
39 lake trout
92 lake trout
2 other
Note: Surface temperature was 53 degrees. All lake trout by catch were released alive.
The DNR was again onboard conducting bio sampling on August 13 after a 20 night soak (extraordinary
circumstances) when 5 nets were lifted.
Net 1
Net 2
Net 3
Net 4
Net 5
Pounds of Whitefish
2100
1700
500
400
600
Other Species
247 lake trout
157 lake trout
77 lake trout
88 lake trout
122 lake trout
Lake trout mortality
10
7
3
2
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Note: Surface temperature was 68.5 degrees.
Another DNR onboard trip is planned in October, with 4 trips scheduled for 2016.
Annual fish community survey in Saginaw Bay - gill netting and trawling for walleye, yellow perch and
forage fish: The survey was just completed in September, the following summary is preliminary. Two
nets yielded extraordinarily high catches of yellow perch; perhaps these fish were simply concentrated in
two holes. There were larger yellow perch in the catch; perhaps in absence of competition they are
growing faster. Trawling did not indicate an increase in yellow perch reproduction. Initial impression is
that survival may have improved this year; but not as great as the gill net catch rate might indicate. The
walleye catch rate in gill nets was average but down from the last three years. There is anecdotal evidence
of a large out migration from the Bay during the summer since large numbers of walleye are being caught
up and down the shoreline from the north to the south. Overall, the prey base index is up a little from last
year but still very low. Preliminary findings suggest that we are heading in the right direction with walleye
and yellow perch regulation changes.
Questions from the Committee Question: Judy Ogden asked if local anglers can work with Dana Serafin and the DNR to provide
input on net placement and other issues like what was done in Oscoda and other ports to the north.
Answer: Todd Grischke responded the department is willing to do that. Frank mentioned that during
the many years that State licensed commercial fishing operations were fishing in the Rogers City,
Presque Isle and Hammond Bay areas, the DNR, anglers, and the commercial fisher met often to
discuss concerns. As a result, the commercial and recreational fisheries coexisted well.
Judy mentioned that her association has no issues with targeting whitefish, but has questions on
whitefish reproduction and whether the population is capable of supporting a fishery. There are other
items that would be beneficial to discuss such as net placements, the number of nets set and methods
of informing the public of net locations along with other concerns. Todd Grischke responded that the
department wants to learn too. That is why Ji He and the department are collecting data onboard
Dana Serafin’s vessel.
Question: Terry Welsh asked what Dana Serafin’s initial observation is?
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Answer: Todd Grischke responded that Tom Goniea has had conversations with Dana. Dana is
excited, but acknowledges that he has some learning to do. Spring looks good but he is not sure
where the whitefish move in summer and fall. Larry Desloover talks with Dana often. Dana is
happy about the fishery and is looking for a local port which would make his trips more economical.
At the present time, he is traveling an extra-long distance from the Oscoda area to service the
whitefish experimental trap net fishery.
Continuing the discussion of the review of the steelhead program and strategy for Lake Huron (Todd
Grischke, DNR Fisheries Division Lake Huron Basin Coordinator and Jan VanAmberg, Manager of the
Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries):
Determining what information and data are needed for the review: There has been internal discussion
with the Lake Huron Basin Team. Looking at steelhead as we did with walleye and yellow perch in
Saginaw Bay may not be possible at this time. The Department is not currently in a position to make
management decisions because there are too many data gaps. There are only three index ports with some
long time coded wire tag (CWT) marking information so there is limited data available for steelhead
compared to the mass marking that took place for Chinook salmon and lake trout. If we are going to move
forward and progress on the scale of learning for Chinook and walleye, it will be necessary to mass mark
steelhead on the Great Lakes. Mass marking is the key to moving forward. There have been discussions
between the various agencies and there is interest in mass marking steelhead.
Update on the Concept of Great Lakes Management Plan: Completing management plans for each of the
Great Lakes has been discussed several times over the years but there is new emphasis on completing them.
Lake Michigan is the pilot lake for developing the Great Lakes management plans and will serve as the
model for the remaining Great Lakes. Fisheries Chief, Jim Dexter gave Jory Jonas the lead in putting that
draft together. As this management plan process progresses, steelhead will become a component. During
the development of the plans there will be extensive involvement of the Advisory Committees and the
public.
Additional smaller yearling steelhead available for stocking: Thompson Hatchery is rearing an additional
150,000 steelhead (3 raceways). These will be allocated to the lake basins. Unit Managers will be utilizing
them differently. Northern Lake Huron Unit’s allotment is going to inland lakes while the Southern Lake
Huron Unit’s allotment is going to the Au Gres and Rifle Rivers.
Summary of the 20,000 coded wire tagged yearling steelhead stocked annually since 2008 in the Au
Sable River and the same amount stocked in two Lake Michigan streams: Jan VanAmberg indicated that
60,000 yearling steelhead are clipped and tagged each year, and 20,000 are stocked equally at three
locations including the Au Sable, Big Manistee, and St. Joseph Rivers. This allows tracking of movement
patterns, growth and year class strength of steelhead. Marking and stocking occurred in 1995-1998 and
2007 to present. There have been 334 returns to date.
Jory Jonas, DNR Research Biologist, compiled the data and steelhead do not move like Chinook salmon.
Approximately 75% stay within each lake. In summary, steelhead stocked in the Au Sable River contribute
to the Lake Huron fishery with only marginal movement to Lake Michigan. Fish stocked in Lake Michigan
tended to stay in Lake Michigan. There is seasonal movement within Lake Huron which is indicated by
return locations. Overall return rates were similar for both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Note: So far the total recovery of tags is low so there is not enough information available yet to draw
management recommendations from these data; but trends are beginning to develop.
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The possibility of marking steelhead and testing stocking time. There is a benefit in learning if the time of
stocking impacts survival of the juvenile steelhead. Stocking early avoids cormorant predation but
probably increases walleye and lake trout predation. Discussions will continue on the feasibility of
learning more about steelhead stocking times.
The status of the aquaculture fact finding reports from the scientific technical panel that is reviewing the
potential environmental impacts of aquaculture fish farm cages in the Great Lakes and the workgroup that
is reviewing the permitting process for these operations:
The Quality of Life Agencies, Aquaculture Workgroup, and the Science Panel have been working on the issue of
commercial net-pen aquaculture in the Great Lakes. An ecosystem management approach has been used to address
the issue by evaluating the economic, environmental, and regulatory aspects and this has resulted in 5 reports that
will be released on Wednesday, October 28. A public hearing will be scheduled shortly after the reports are
released.
Note a meeting was scheduled for November 19, 2015 and more information can be found at
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10366 54559 10402-368780--,00.html
Questions from the Committee Question: Are tribal agencies forced to comply, or will there be separate negotiations?
Answer: Ed Eisch responded that discussions are beginning between the Tribes and State and the Tribes
will be involved.
Question: If the majority of citizens are against this, will it be forced upon us?
Answer: Ed Eisch responded that public input is being sought, and meetings are being held with legislators
present. All the input obtained will be considered when decisions are made.
Question: There has been much negative press about aquaculture on the west coast of the US from the
south to Alaska. The person was surprised that Michigan is going down this controversial road.
Answer: Todd Grischke responded that aquaculture in Michigan has a long history. We are going down
this road because of a request to establish cage aquaculture in the Great Lakes. Efforts are being made to
thoroughly review the issue and seek much public input.
Two minute season fishing reports from participants:
• Tom Keerl-Harrisville – Overall fishing was quiet. A benefit this year was the good number of
walleye caught nearshore in the late evening and early morning.
•
Dennis Gulau-Saginaw Bay – There was great year for walleye. Lake trout and salmon were caught in
the inner bay with some lake trout approaching 20 pounds. Smallmouth bass fishing in the bay gets
better every year! There were nice catches of perch during late summer and this fall with many fish
over 10 inches. Saginaw River was good with a very diverse fishery including channel cats, crappie,
pike and walleye. The walleye tended to be smaller in the river.
•
Rick Kretzschmar – Saginaw Bay and River
The spring walleye fishing from April through May was more productive than the last several years.
Good weather allowed both the Saginaw River and bay fishery to flourish especially during May.
Walleye were caught on the Saginaw River up to the Tittabawassee River. Yellow perch fishing along
shore in the spring was slow.
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During the month of June, walleye fishing in the bay was slower than normal, probably because of the
colder weather and many windy days which limited opportunities to fish from a boat. Fishing was still
good near shore and in the Saginaw River. Overall the size of the walleyes seemed average compared to
the last five years. The size of the largest 5 fish weighed in at tournaments, however, was down slightly
from previous years. This may be the result of less forage being available. The condition of the walleye
seemed less this year.
Walleye fishing during July was strong and the walleye appeared to stay in the bay longer this year,
possibly because of the colder early weather.
During late August through September, most anglers switch from walleye to yellow perch fishing.
Experienced anglers reported that they were catching perch in the 8 to 10 inch range with some fish
reaching 12 inches.
Note: the work that the Conservation Officers do is very much appreciated. It is hoped that with the
new recruitment classes of Officers graduating that more patrols can be made on the bay since from
spring through fall people are catching multiple bags limits and over limits.
•
Julie Shafto-Rogers City/Alpena – It was a slow spring for shore fishing for Atlantic salmon. Lake
trout were exceptional! From mid-May through June many anglers were catching their limit within a
few hours. Excellent lake trout fishing continued all summer in the cooler water. Mid-July through
August there was an outstanding offshore fishery in 120 feet or so of water for steelhead, Coho, lake
trout, walleye, and more. Chinook and Atlantic salmon were down this year but walleye were up.
•
Tom Hamilton-Lake Michigan – Anglers in the White River watershed visit Lake Huron to fish
walleye. If you are coming to Lake Michigan to fish Chinook please stay home. Harvest is down 30%
or more.
•
Aaron Switzer-Grand Traverse Bay – Cisco and whitefish were up in the bays, Chinook were down,
but the bays are a great place to come fish smallmouth bass.
•
Fred Sterns-Rockport Alpena area of Lake Huron – Fred attempted to duplicate last year’s Atlantic
salmon results but it did not happen. Possibly the colder temperatures slowed the fishing.
•
Lance and Doreen Campbell-Oscoda – Lake trout fishing was phenomenal and many walleye were
caught. Salmon fishing was poor.
•
Alan Seiferlein-Oscoda – It was the third year in a row for a tournament in July for veterans. For one
day, 1300 walleye were cleaned. Steelhead fishery has been slow because of the warm water
temperature.
•
Randy Terrian – The Atlantic salmon fishing at pier heads has been spotty possibly because of the bad
weather early in the season. Walleye made a strong showing in Oscoda, Au Gres, Tawas, and Saginaw
Bay. Lake trout numbers are increasing each year. Smallmouth bass fishing in Saginaw Bay along
rocky shorelines has been excellent!
•
Judy Ogden-Port Sanilac – A few Atlantic salmon were caught at the end of April and May. There
were excellent lake trout fishing both shallow and deep. The lake trout were often caught suspended
over deep water and they were often caught when fishing in shallow water for walleye. Lake trout seem
to be everywhere. Fishing in 90 to 110 feet of water during the summer was very good for lake trout
and steelhead but salmon were down, however, a few Coho were caught. Yellow perch fishing was
slow and no browns were caught.
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•
Jerry Lawrence-Harbor Beach – A good number of salmon (no clips) and steelhead were caught in
the early tournament. Next year’s tournament will probably have over 100 boats. In the second
tournament in June, there were 74 boats. Veterans Day tournament had 114 veterans with lake trout,
walleye and steelhead being caught! Final tournament (Kids Day), had 51 kids and everyone caught
fish.
•
Ken Merckel-Grindstone City – Lake trout fishing was very good throughout July, August and
September. Whitefish were taken occasionally and ranged from 8-12 pounds. Walleye were a good
evening fishery. Steelhead and smallmouth bass were great fisheries!
•
Lakon Williams-Saginaw Bay area – Colder water temperatures kept the whitefish close to shore and
that impacted the commercial harvest this year. Anglers where fishing in 20 feet of water and catching
whitefish up to 9 pounds! This is not where commercial fishers fish. This fall, we will not be targeting
yellow perch. It is not worth the gas and by-catch.
•
Terry Lyons – Stream fishing for trout has been challenging possibly because of the last two harsh
winters. The number of fish in the river appeared to be down. Occasionally fishing has been good but it
is not like it used to be.
•
Jerry Lockhart-Oscoda – Lake trout for the last two years has greatly improved. Only one lake trout
last year was wild and this year only 3 lake trout were wild out of 20 or more fish.
•
Terry Walsh-Saginaw Bay – It was a bad year for walleye fishing! The walleye were much harder to
locate and there was no consistency from day to day.
•
Bryan Darland-Jay’s Sporting Goods – Novice walleye anglers did not continue to come back. We
had new faces every weekend. Perhaps there are more people experimenting, but there may not be
enough angling success for the novices to go back and try fishing again for walleye.
•
Dennis White-St. Marys River and Northern Lake Huron – In the St. Marys River, Atlantic salmon
fishing was down slightly from last year but it still was excellent again this year. Water temperatures
remained cool which helped increase the catch of Atlantics. Pink salmon numbers were very low
compared to 2013 and 2014 and Chinook salmon fishing was slow. The steelhead fishing was good but
down some possibly because of the high flow through the Rapids which reduced fishing opportunity.
Carp River had the worse steelhead fishing in possibly 40 years.
Lake trout fishing was excellent around Detour but the Atlantic salmon did not show up in the catch.
The lake trout were eating a large number of smaller smelt from early spring until fall. Nearly every
lake trout contained some smelt and some fish were stuffed with them. The fishing near St. Ignace was
slower this season.
•
Ed Rutherford-Presque Isle – Ed fished over 70 trips and most of them were out of Presque Isle.
Fishing at Presque Isle for lake trout was excellent and the steelhead fishing was better than last year.
Chinook salmon were down but Coho numbers were up. The lake trout were often large and there were
lots of them. Atlantic salmon fishing was about the same as last year but few AD marked fish were
caught. Walleye fishing was good especially if targeted.
It is recommend that during the summer Presque Isle and Rockport should be creeled instead of Alpena.
For example, during the opening of the Brown Trout Festival 38 boats fished out of Presque Isle and 16
fish out of Rockport. There is excellent structure at these ports and good fishing in the thermocline is
available less than a mile from shore. During the summer in Alpena, the deeper cool water is about ten
miles offshore so most anglers switch to fishing at Presque Isle and Rockport. Because of this, the creel
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clerk should be moved to Presque Isle and Rockport during the summer instead of sitting in an almost
empty parking lot in Alpena.
Frank-Rogers City – The lake trout fishing was the best in decades from the spring through the fall.
Chinook salmon numbers were down but walleye and steelhead were up along with some Coho in the
catch. There was a heavy hatch of smelt this spring and by mid-August the smelt were about 2 inches
long and suspended in the thermocline and a large number of lake trout and steelhead were feeding on
them. Hemimysis, a new large exotic zooplankton was first noted off of Rogers City in 2013 and it
appears to be increasing. It was found in lake trout, steelhead, and Atlantic salmon stomachs this
summer, caught in water between 50 and 80 feet deep.
An update on the efforts to develop criteria for deciding when to reduce or stop lake trout stocking in Lake
Huron and initial activities to establish a protocol for allocating lake trout between Ontario and Michigan in
Lake Huron. (Todd Grischke, DNR Fisheries Division Lake Huron Basin Coordinator and Dave Fielder,
Alpena DNR Research Station).
Ji He is the Department expert on lake trout. He spends a lot of time on the water, and a lot of time crunching the
numbers. Ji He, Dave Fielder, and Dave Borgeson sit on the Lake Huron Technical Committee, which is a part of
the Great Lakes Committee structure. These employees help drive the decisions and recommendations. The Lake
Huron Technical Committee has been asked to work with developing protocol to determine a timetable for reducing
or stopping lake trout stocking. The DNR, Ontario and the Tribes are represented on the Committee.
Several Lake Huron management units may be ready to reduce or stop stocking. Progress is being made with the
discussions and a decision might occur next year. Reducing or stopping lake trout stocking has huge implications
and frees up hatchery space.
Questions from the committee –
Question: There is a great fishery for the number of anglers out there now but what happens when anglers
catch on and fishing pressure for lake trout increases? Will natural reproduction sustain the pressure?
Answer: Todd Grischke responded that the department believes the fishery can sustain it. The model
considers multiple factors. Wild reproduction of lake trout had been increasing dramatically throughout the
main basin.
Question: Could the department cut down stocking in some areas, but perhaps not everywhere? Lake trout
do not appear to be reproducing naturally in the Oscoda area?
Answer: Ji He responded that currently lake trout take about 5 to 6 years to mature so please be patient.
Question: What are the existing lake trout allocation protocols between Ontario and Michigan?
Answer: Todd mentioned that the Great Lakes Fishery Commission brings all the agencies together to
develop a plan. We are talking through that right now. There are differences in philosophies between the
different agencies but the agencies are working toward an agreement. Currently there is no allocation
agreement.
Question: Over the last three years, the lake trout numbers have been increasing. These fish are showing
up where they are not normally found. Telemetry is showing they are traveling long distances. What is
this showing us? What can the lake support?
Answer: Even though Oscoda is currently not producing many wild lake trout, near-by Yankee Reef is
producing large numbers. These are important questions and time will be needed before all the answers
will be known.
Law Enforcement and Fisheries Division Updates:
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Larry Desloover, Commercial Fish Law Enforcement Division – Next month 36-37 new recruits will be active
in the field. In January 20, or more recruits will become active. Jerry Lawrence is going to assist Law
Enforcement with locating a net at Harbor Beach. Law Enforcement participated in the Enbridge emergency
response exercise in the Straits. Communication was a challenge! More work needs to be done to ensure all
agencies and parties are able to communicate effectively with each other.
Jim Baker, Southern Lake Huron Unit Manager – Walleye pond summaries were distributed. Only one pond
was off line this year but production was near average. The unit was able to stock 3,676 northern pike in 3 inland
lakes that had a winter-kill. Status and Trends surveys were completed on 8 inland lakes and 7 streams/rivers. The
unit also aided Lake Erie and the Northern Lake Huron Unit on additional surveys, and began electrical repairs at
the Auburn Pond. The crew will assist with the Coho egg-take. Yellow perch fishing in the inner Saginaw Bay
during late August and early September was very good but fishing has slowed the last couple of weeks. The creel
clerk reported 2 Atlantic salmon with AD clips in the Lexington Harbor and if more are encountered a shocking
crew will survey the Harbor.
Aaron Switzer, Northern Lower Peninsula Area Hatchery Supervisor – Harrietta Hatchery underwent major
construction, a new backup generator for the well was installed, moved out healthy rainbow trout and brown trout,
and completed egg collections all around the state. Oden has been busy with egg takes. All fish are outside and
eggs are in incubation. A few upgrades have been made to the interpretive areas. The Platte River Hatchery is
preparing for the Coho egg take and will be planting fall fingerling Coho and Atlantic salmon in Torch Lake. The
heat exchanger which is used to warm the water is down. All fish including Atlantic salmon look good but they are
about the same size as last year.
Dave Fielder Ph.D., Research Biologist – Field work has been completed for the Alpena Research Station. The
staff is moving into the lab now. Staff is only able to analyze the bare minimum samples with only 2 biologists,
one technician, and 1 state worker. The RV Tanner is half way through the construction process and it appears that
it will be in Alpena by next spring.
Jan VanAmberg, Upper Peninsula Area Hatchery Supervisor – Rearing operations at Wolf Lake Hatchery are
going well. Wolf Lake and Thompson Hatcheries are changings strategies on steelhead, and applying heated water
sooner. This appears to be paying dividends with faster fish growth. Fifty thousand musky are in the ponds, and
are scheduled for harvest in late October/November. Marquette has successfully marked lake trout, and conducted
an egg take from Lake Superior lake trout. This is the first domestic egg take of lake trout.
Ed Eisch, Fish Production Manager – A wish list for hatchery improvements from Capital Outlay funding was
submitted. Indications for the most recent requests are positive.
Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron Unit Manager – The unit met all walleye and sturgeon stocking targets
this year with help from Jim Bakers unit and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). The unit
surveyed Big Bear Lake this fall which was stocked historically with musky, hoping to develop a brood stock, but
since no musky were found the stocking will be discontinued. Staff is currently gearing up for an egg take at the
Swan Weir. Our creel lead worker, Ed Barr was promoted to a Technician at Alpena. We were able to fill his
position and the new lead worker is Eric Marrow. Foch Lake Dam repair has been funded under a grant and
construction is beginning. Big Creek Dam will hopefully be repaired next year.
Todd Grischke, Lake Huron Basin Coordinator – At the last Advisory meeting it was mentioned that a draft of
the Fish Community Objectives would be provided, but the document is still being worked on, and a draft will be
presented as soon as it is available.
Upcoming Meeting Dates: Frank and Todd are coordinating to establish 4 meeting dates for next year near the
same weeks that meetings were held during 2015.
Note: see the 2016 meeting dates and locations below:
Wednesday February 3, 2016 at Jays
Wednesday April 13, 2016 at Jays
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Wednesday June 22, 2016 at the RAM Center
Wednesday October 12, 2016 at Jays
All meetings will begin at 10 am and be completed by 3 pm.
Adjourn: 3:10pm
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