Download 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 (LHCFAC)
Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc., Clare, Michigan
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Approved Minutes
Attendees: Les Bloodworth, Dave Borgeson, Aaron Brown, Charlie Brown, Damon Brown, Jerry Brown, Doreen
Campbell, Lance Campbell, Bryan Darland, Jim DeClerck, Jim Dexter, Ed Eisch, Clarence Fetrow, Dave Fielder,
Todd Grischke, Dennis Gulau, Tom Hamilton, Wade Hamilton, Lindsey Henski, Jim Johnson, Rick Kretzschmar,
Frank Krist, Jerry Lockhart, Terry Lyons, Ken Merckel, Craig Milkowski, Jack Noble, Chuck Noel, Judy Ogden, Eric
Plant, Frank Rullwagen, Alan Seiferlein, Julie Shafto, Joe Sumera, Aaron Switzer, Randy Terrian, Donna Wesander,
Tod Williams, Ralph Zimmermann
Welcome and Introductions: Frank Krist called the meeting to order and welcomed Bryan Darland, Jays Sporting
Goods Store Manager to the Committee. Bryan is a new Committee member and represents the interests of the retail
sporting industry. Introductions were made.
History, biology and discussion of potential management directions of the yellow perch fishery in Lake
Huron with emphasis on Saginaw Bay (Jim Baker, MDNR Southern Lake Huron Unit Supervisor;
Dave Fielder Fisheries Research Biologist/Acting Station Manager Alpena DNR Fisheries Research
Station; Todd Grischke, MDNR Fisheries Division Lake Huron Basin Coordinator)
Todd Grischke discussed and distributed “Yellow Perch in Saginaw Bay, 1970-2013” an Overview*. This document
was prepared in response to angler interest in the yellow perch population of Saginaw Bay, due in part to a changed
Lake Huron environment. Comments and suggestions on the report should be forwarded to Todd Grischke, Jim Baker
or Frank Krist.
Introduction Jim Baker provided an overview of the report. Yellow perch produce an enormous number of eggs and
a relatively small number of adult spawners produced huge year classes. Currently, the yellow perch in Saginaw Bay
are reproducing at record levels; however, complex ecological changes have prevented most of the abundant young
perch from surviving beyond their first year. The fundamental role of this species in the food web has changed from
that of a secondary predator that eats other fish to primarily that of a forage fish which is eaten by several different
predators such as walleye, drum, bass, birds and others.
Biology In Saginaw Bay, yellow perch spawn near shore in wetlands and drainage ditches, in early April/May when
water temperatures approach 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Timing of spawning can have major effects on yellow perch
growth during the first year of life, and this in turn can influence over-winter survival. Yellow perch feed almost
entirely on zooplankton throughout their first year of life. They continue to feed heavily on zooplankton through their
second and third growing seasons, but also start eating various bottom dwelling organisms and insect larvae. Perch do
not prey on minnows and other small fish until they reach about 7 inches in length.
Some factors thought to affect yellow perch survival and abundance include weather, competition from other species,
competition among yellow perch themselves when they become too abundant and predation.
Population The DNR has been monitoring yellow perch reproduction in Saginaw Bay since 1970. Perch
reproduction history can be divided into three time periods.
1970-1990 yellow perch were so abundant in Saginaw Bay that their own density controlled their growth and
reproduction due to competition for a limited food supply and lack of predators to reduce their abundance. Large year
classes of young perch were common but growth slowed dramatically. With a scarce food supply, more time was
needed for locating food items to eat which resulted in many perch not reaching 3 inches long by fall. These smaller
perch often did not have enough energy to survive the winter and starved to death. During this period 6 to 7 inch perch
were very common but few grew to larger sizes. This period ended when nearly the entire 1989 year class of young
perch starved and yellow perch almost disappeared from the Bay.
1990-2002 During this period, much smaller yellow perch year classes were produced as reproductive success
decreased but the growth rates improved. This period was marked by the appearance of several invasive species and
the beginning of food web changes.
A large population of alewife ate huge numbers of newly hatched yellow perch fry and the overall number of
young yellow perch decreased greatly in the Saginaw Bay. In addition, alewife ate zooplankton reducing the food
supply of the young perch.
The newly introduced Zebra and quagga mussels began to increase and ate large numbers of zooplankton
which further reduced the food supply of the young yellow perch.
Spiny water fleas entered Lake Huron in 1984 but as their number increased they competed with the young
yellow perch by feeding on their food supply by eating the smaller zooplankton. The adult yellow perch eat large
numbers of the spiny water fleas but the fleas are too large for the young perch to eat.
White perch were introduced in the Bay in 1983 and by 1989 they were the most common species caught in test
nets. White perch compete intensely with yellow perch for living space and may be responsible for the collapse of
yellow perch numbers during 1989. Since 1989 white perch have been declining and follow similar trends with
yellow perch. Since white perch also feed on zooplankton, the continued presence of white perch might be
suppressing the growth of young yellow perch.
Round Gobies were introduced and found in Lake Huron by 1995. Gobies are bottom feeders and compete with
yellow perch and other fish for food. Gobies, however, are eaten in large numbers by yellow perch and other
species. Gobies feed regularly on zebra and quagga mussels and transfer the energy from the mussels back into
the food web when gobies are eaten by many recreational fish species including yellow perch.
2003-2013 marked major changes in the food web which may continue indefinitely into the foreseeable future. Zebra
mussels in shallower water and quagga mussels in deeper water colonized virtually all of Lake Huron and ate nearly all
of the phytoplankton (algae). Since phytoplankton is a very important food item for zooplankton, the numbers of
zooplankton dropped dramatically. With less zooplankton to eat and more predators, the alewife collapsed and the
Chinook salmon crashed because alewife was their primary food source.
Since alewife fed heavily on the fry of many species, the dramatic reduction in alewife enabled native species
including yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout and emerald shiners to reproduce at high rates never seen
before. Near or above record levels of yellow perch were produced nearly each year but with less zooplankton to eat
perch growth slowed making them more vulnerable to predators like walleye and drum.
When alewives were present in large numbers, walleyes and other predators ate large numbers of alewives but less
yellow perch. Since the alewives became rare during this period, the walleyes and other predators switched from
alewives and began to eat large numbers of the small yellow perch. Many decades ago before alewives first became
2
abundant and the Saginaw Bay yellow perch fishery was healthy, cisco (lake herring) were common and provided a
predation buffer for yellow perch since the walleyes and other predators ate a large number of cisco.
For the foreseeable future, it is likely that Saginaw Bay yellow perch will continue to reproduce well, but will suffer
heavy predation by unprecedented high levels walleye and other predators. Yellow perch will remain primarily a
forage fish in Saginaw Bay and play a secondary role as a sport and commercial species until further ecological
changes result in more favorable conditions for yellow perch.
See the attached document ‘Yellow Perch in Saginaw Bay, 1970-2013 an Overview’* for more details.
Jerry Brown who represents several anglers from the Saginaw Bay area requested an opportunity to provide
additional information about the Saginaw Bay yellow perch fishery. Jerry’s family has been involved in commercial
and sports fishing in the Bay for over 100 years. The following are the main points he presented:
• After smelt were introduced in the Great Lakes, whitefish declined but with fewer smelt today the whitefish
population has improved. Stocking foreign species is highly questionable.
• There is evidence that alewives did not cause the demise of the yellow perch population. During the 1950s
when the beach was covered with alewives, perch fishing was excellent. Later there was a period of
overfishing by commercial operations and the perch fishery declined but once the commercial licenses were
reduced, perch fishing recovered and there was excellent fishing again in spite of large numbers of alewives
still present.
• The yellow perch sports creel limit is too high and starting in the 1980s when it was liberalized perch began
to decline. The last decent year for perch fishing was 1996.
• During the late 1990s, minnows, crayfish, clams, alewives and smelt began to disappear, possibly due to
chemicals.
• Perch fishing was down before zebra mussels and gobies were established. The main reasons for the decline
are overstocking walleye, stocking foreign predators, and over harvesting yellow perch by sport and
commercial fisheries.
• Good management over the next 10 years would result in an excellent yellow perch population that would
hook the younger generation to fishing and increase the overall number of anglers.
Todd Grischke distributed the report, ‘Possible Management Options for Yellow Perch’*. This document is a draft,
highlighting potential tools managers may implement to affect fish populations. Over the next couple meetings, the
Committee will continue to discuss these different options. Options available to fisheries managers include stocking,
recreational fishing regulations, season closures, length limits, bag or creel limits, re-establishment of cisco, increased
exploitation of walleye, cormorant control, and managing angler expectations.
Stocking would not be effective since huge year classes of yellow perch are already being produced most years.
There are plenty of young perch but few survive beyond the first year because of scarcity of food and predation.
Stocking additional perch could actually be detrimental. In addition, yellow perch are prolific spawners and just a
few adult females can produce more fingerlings than several hatcheries.
Recreational fishing regulations are based principally on biology but regulations can be influenced by social
and political pressure, and competition. Below are the three types of regulations being considered for managing
yellow perch.
Season Closures are used when the adult spawners must be protected to ensure there are enough adults
available for spawning. Successful reproduction of yellow perch in Saginaw Bay is not an issue since large
3
year classes are being produced almost every year. Implementing a closure would reduce fishing opportunity
and have little impact on the yellow perch population.
Length Limits are normally used to protect species that are slow in maturing so there are enough adults for
successful reproduction. Fish like bass, pike and walleye are slow to reach maturity and must be protected to
ensure there are enough mature fish for spawning. Yellow perch on the other hand, often start to mature at a
length of 3 inches and most are mature at 7 inches which is the length most anglers start to keep them. As
mentioned above, there is no shortage of spawning adult yellow perch.
Adjusting Bag (Creel) Limits in some circumstances can reduce the overall harvest of a species a modest
amount but it is used mostly for social reasons to better distribute the catch. Very few anglers come close to
catching their limit of yellow perch and, for example, creel data showed that in 2011 the average daily catch
per angler was 9.8 fish and in 2012 it was 12.2 fish. Of 2,686 anglers interviewed only 37 harvested a limit of
50 perch. Catch has more to do with abundance and there are enough adult yellow perch to produce excellent
spawning results.
Attempt to reestablish cisco as a prey alternative to yellow perch As mentioned earlier, yellow perch, cisco
and walleyes coexisted in Saginaw Bay and produced healthy fisheries. Cisco was a main forage fish that was
consumed by walleyes. Unlike alewives, cisco did not eat the fry of yellow perch and restoring cisco could
provide a predation buffer against walleye and other predators which could increase yellow perch survival.
Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is updating the Federal Jordan River National Fish Hatchery with the
potential of producing cisco for stocking in the Great Lakes within the next couple of years. The possibility of
restoring cisco in Saginaw Bay and other areas of Lake Huron is currently being reviewed.
Increased exploitation of walleye by the sport fishery The walleye population in Saginaw Bay has recovered
to historical levels and the growth rate is decreasing. Annual harvest is low in comparison to the large number of
mature walleyes present. A simulation model developed with data collected over several decades can provide
estimates of the impact on the adult walleye population for each proposed change in the daily bag limit. If the
walleye population can be thinned, then predation pressure may be reduced on young yellow perch and allow more
perch to survive and grow. This is an attractive option since it can potentially increase perch survival, increase
fishing opportunity for walleye, and be monitored and readjusted if necessary.
Question: Could opening sections of the Saginaw River to walleye fishing the entire year be considered as an
option to increase walleye harvest? This option has some merit since it could increase fishing opportunities
for small boat and shore anglers and it will be discussed at future Advisory meetings after the simulation
model estimates the impacts of various scenarios on the perch and walleye populations.
Increased emphasis on cormorant control The double-crested cormorant is a fish eating bird and its numbers
have increased greatly since the pesticides levels in the Great Lakes have decreased over the last 3 decades.
Cormorants are found in many areas in the Great Lakes and work in the Les Cheneaux Islands has shown that
cormorants were the primary reason for the yellow perch decline in that area. More work is needed to determine
the cormorant’s impacts on other yellow perch populations. A diet study of cormorants in Saginaw Bay showed in
2013 that yellow perch were a significant portion of the bird’s diet at certain periods of the year. The study is
continuing in 2014 and if the results corroborate the findings from 2013 then a control program will be considered
for 2015 and beyond.
Regulation of the commercial fishery Commercial fishing for yellow perch in Saginaw Bay is highly
regulated and not very lucrative. Perch are caught alive in trap nets and only yellow perch 8.5 inches and larger
are kept and all others are returned to the water. The amount of harvest depends on the yellow perch population
abundance and follows the harvest trends of the sport fishery. On average since 2001, the recreational fishery has
taken about 70% (pounds) of the total yellow perch harvest and the commercial fishery has averaged about 30%.
4
The commercial fishery harvest during that period ranged from 18.1% to 44.7%. At the present levels of harvest
for each fishery there are no negative biological impacts to the yellow perch population.
Sport fishing in Michigan generates vastly more economic activity than commercial fishing and reducing
commercial yellow perch fishing in Saginaw Bay has been suggested for decades. If this option is pursued, the
State would buy commercial fishing licenses back from willing sellers and retire them. It is estimated that only
about 50% of the gear currently licensed is being fished so the first step would be to buy these licenses. Once the
licenses are purchased, the gear is out of the fishery permanently so this option has merit.
Managing uncertainty and anglers expectations Lake Huron contains an immense and complex food web
that is constantly changing and there is no guarantee that utilizing some of the above options would be successful
but at least by trying and changing direction as needed there is a chance of success.
For more details see the report, “Possible Management Options for Yellow Perch”*
A successful emergency response by DNR employees to save the State’s steelhead egg take in spite of a major
flood and serious damage at the Little Manistee Weir (Ed Eisch, DNR Fish Production Manager).
The Little Manistee Weir is located on the Little Manistee River near the town of Stronach and currently it is the sole
egg source for the DNR’s steelhead program.
The spring 2014 was very late, cold and wet. The heavy snow melt, extensive rain and runoff caused very high water
levels on the Little Manistee River resulting in significant damage to the weir. Four screens became plugged and water
starting flowing around the weir. With a possible washout pending and steelhead already in the holding pond, early
egg harvest was considered. However, at that time, the steelhead were only 30 % ripe. The high water developed a
side channel around the weir and continued to widen. With water behind the weir dropping, the Department was no
longer in control! Water levels have to be maintained at a minimum level to run our pumps. If water dropped too low,
or if the weir itself washed out, the entire steelhead egg take for 2014 would be lost. DNR staff volunteered to work
around the clock and the harvest was completed in 1 day! Because of this team work enough eggs were obtained not
only for Michigan but also for Ohio and Indiana.
Once the egg take was complete, it was time to repair the weir. Typically a 6-12 week engineering review and
permitting process would be required before repair work could be started, however, with cooperation from other
agencies, ground was broken within 2 days! A submerged rock road was created across the river to allow heavy
equipment to reach the washout. Sandbags (the size of Volkswagens) were placed in the river to divert flow, and sheet
piling was installed. Permanent repairs were completed quickly and this was only possible with great cooperation and
team work!
The weir is also currently undergoing major renovations of the Interpretive Visitor Center including adding a viewing
deck, parking upgrade, ADA improvements, restrooms installation and a canoe/kayak launch. Come by and see and
used the facilities!
Potential improvements to the Michigan Charter Boat Daily Catch Report form (Donna Wesander DNR
Statewide Charter Boat Fishing Reporting Program Administrator).
Donna Wesander discussed angler interest in having Atlantic salmon specifically listed on the Charter Boat Daily
Catch Report, see attached*. The issues with including Atlantic salmon consist of space and complexity for captains
completing the form. The more complex the form becomes the less compliance the Department receives. In addition,
this form is used statewide and designed to capture the most important charter species.
5
Some ideas for improving the form that are being considered are increasing the size of the form and allowing captains
to write in codes across the form for each species they catch. Donna is requesting anyone that has suggestions please
contact her at: 231-547-2914 Ext. 223 or [email protected]
An Atlantic salmon status report with a potential increase in Atlantic salmon production at the Platte River
Hatchery and a discussion of where additional fish will be stocked if they become available during the spring of
2015 (Todd Grischke and Aaron Switzer, Manager of the Platte River State Fish Hatchery).
There are four raceways at the Platte River Hatchery used for Atlantic salmon production with each raceway dedicated
to a specific stocking site. This provides the opportunity to mark the fish in each raceway with a different Coded Wire
Tag (CWT) to indicate each stocking site for evaluation purposes. Atlantic salmon production has increased and the
Advisory Committee has previously agreed to put additional fish at each of the three new stocking locations. The
Atlantic salmon program has increased production from 100,000 spring yearlings to a projection of approximately
180,000 for 2016. The Table below shows the number of Atlantic salmon stocked and the estimated number to be
stocked through 2016 along with the various fin clips.
Evidence is showing that survival of the DNR stocked Atlantic salmon could be increased by growing them to a larger
size and stocking them later. Aaron indicated that they are looking at several options to increase growth in the
hatchery. One challenge at the Platte River Hatchery is the cold surface and spring water available for raising the
yearlings often slows the growth of the fish.
6
An experiment is planned for the DNR Atlantic salmon stocked in the St. Mary’s River. There is an empty open
turbine bay (60’x20’x8’) available at the Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Aquatic Research Laboratory where
the University Atlantic salmon are raised and released. The Lab is located on a side channel of the St. Mary’s River
and the use of this bay will allow the DNR to move their allotment of Atlantic salmon for the St. Mary’s River to the
bay weeks before stocking with the goal of improving stocking size and releasing them when the LSSU fish are
stocked.
Reminder that Atlantic salmon are marked with clips Anglers should be reporting their Atlantic salmon harvest
to Tim Cwalinski, at the Gaylord Customer Service Center, 989-732-3541 and [email protected]. Please take
photos that show the fins and possible clips. With very little natural reproduction currently, nearly all Atlantic salmon
should be marked with clips.
Advisors two minute season fishing reports
Todd Williams – The sports fishery for walleye in Saginaw Bay was really good, however, commercial whitefish
harvest has been down. The weather was poor and very windy.
Judy Ogden – Port Sanilac and Lexington – The recreational offshore fishery started late in the spring with a late
ice melt. Fishing was good in April and May with Coho, Chinook and Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and walleye. The
fishery slowed in July with persistent easterly winds. Yellow perch fishing out of Port Sanilac was spotty, however,
veteran anglers fishing at sunrise near weed beds did well. In September, there was calmer water, some decent insect
hatches and good catches of walleye and lake trout. There was a huge number of pink salmon in the area all summer.
Jerry Lockhart – Weather and mechanical problems kept his fishing days to four; however, he noticed that lake trout
in the Oscoda area were on the rise this year!
Julie Shafto – Summer fishing was down this year in Rogers City because of the prolonged windy weather.
However, anglers making it out harvested Chinook salmon, lake trout and Atlantic salmon in the early months. Pink
and Coho salmon came in later in the season with an occasional walleye. Lake trout fishing was great all season and
most of the smaller trout had no clips. A lot of bait was present all year.
Dr. Ken Merckel – Grindstone and Port Austin had good fishing when weather allowed anglers out. Walleye
fishing was great, until a drastic temperature drop in July. The walleye moved to deeper water and the rest of the
season there was a mixed bag of pink salmon, lake trout and walleye.
Jack Noble– Walleye fishing at Port Austin/Grindstone City was good in spring through early July and limits were
common. Cold water moved in in mid-July and the walleyes moved deeper and a mix bag was common.
Walleye fishing was good at Harbor Beach in early July in 70 to 90 feet of water but not in 25 to 40 feet of water
which usually occurred in previous years. Later in the year, walleyes were caught from 90 to 120 feet of water.
Anglers were targeting salmon, steelhead and lake trout in 90 to 150 feet of water but occasionally a walleye was
caught. Because of the cold water and strong winds, walleye fishing was down. King salmon numbers were up and
steelhead fishing was steady with often more than one in the catch. Lake trout fishing was good most of the summer
especially during late August. Brown trout are currently being caught in the Harbor.
Terry Lyons – The streams proved challenging this year and it seemed like there were less fish available.
Rick Kretzschmar – Fishing for walleyes in Saginaw Bay during 2014 was a good. The walleyes appeared healthy
but skinnier compared to past years, possibly caused by food web changes and/or prey fish availability.
7
During late January through early February, the walleye Shiver on the River Walleye Tournament had 1,500 anglers
participating with the winner catching an 11 pound fish but there were also 6, 7, 8 and 9 pounders caught. April was
slow but May through mid-July was very good. By the third week of July, walleye fishing in the inner Bay slowed
significantly probably caused by the fish moving to deeper water. Fishing in August was a challenge locating and
catching walleyes. September was windy and cold which limited activity but there were reports that walleye fishing in
the Au Gres area was very good with 6 pounders being taken. During early October the walleye were moving into the
Inner Saginaw Bay and fishing should improve. I had good success this year fishing in the Bay at the following
locations: Pinconning Bar, Black Hole, The Cigar, The Spark Plug, Callahan and Coryeon Reefs, and the Sailboat
Buoys.
Yellow perch fishing has been slow and spotty but larger fish have been appearing in the catch.
There were reports of few early season minnows observed in the Saginaw River but by August the river was loaded
with 1.5 inch shiners.
Dennis Gulau – During April in Saginaw Bay the walleye fishing was slower but the fish were bigger in the 9 to 12
pound range. The Inner Saginaw Bay was phenomenal all year and the fish seemed to stay in the Bay the entire
summer. Walleye fishing in the river was also good the entire summer as well. The Outer Bay and Thumb Area was
spotty with shifting wind and water temperature changes.
Tom Hamilton – Fishing was spotty in Lake Michigan also because of poor weather. Overall numbers were down,
but the fishing is still good.
Captain Terry Walsh –Each year in Saginaw Bay the walleye fishing gets better and better! May and June produced
an abundance of 9-13” walleye, however, by end of June they disappeared and then in July a ruler was not needed!
Even in Aug/Sept when the fish moved into the weed beds, the quality and quantity of fish were excellent. By August,
even though the fishing was excellent most of the anglers stopped fishing. More work is needed to promote the
walleye fishing in the Bay. Yellow perch fishing has been slow.
Eric Plant – The walleye fishing in the Inner Saginaw Bay was excellent in 13-15 feet of water during May through
July using crank baits and crawlers. The fish were averaging 2-3 pounds with perch in their stomachs. The walleye
fishing in the Outer Bay was good later in June. Yellow perch fishing recently from Pinconning to Standish has been
very good. The fish averaged 8-10 inches with some fish to 13 inches. The perch were hitting in shallow water on
emerald shiners. This has been the best perch fishing in several years.
Brian Darland – From an economic perspective, sales at Jays Sporting Goods were good for walleye tackle. Sales
for bait were incredible! Very strong sales came in from the smallmouth bass and tournament anglers and bass fishing
interest appears to be trending upward. Saginaw Bay is a World Class bass fishery for smallmouth bass. Fishing for
catfish and crappie in the Tittabawassee River has been excellent.
Randy Terrian – Perch in the Inner Saginaw Bay were averaging 8-11 inches and it is encouraging to hear that perch
fishing to the north was also good at Standish. Many pink salmon were caught in the Oscoda area.
Allan Seiferlein – Allan Spent a day on each of the DNR research vessels, Chinook and Channel Cat. Allan heard
about the surveys they conducted and the experience was extremely rewarding! The crews were very dedicated and
efficient, and were constantly busy harvesting fish and recording data.
Lance and Doreen Campbell – Many lake trout were caught at Oscoda along with steelhead during the spring and
fall. The penned steelhead were small this spring and stayed close to the bottom and appeared to be slow to smolt.
The water was colder than normal in the Au Sable River this spring.
8
Ed Retherford was not present but Frank read Ed’s report – Ed fished May and June with others since the charter
boat was down. Fished in Harbor Beach and Harrisville and caught kings, Atlantics, lake trout and 2 browns. The
Atlantic salmon had mostly LP clips but there were a few LV clips. Ed started the charters in mid-June at Presque
Isle. Fishing was spotty because of the cold weather and wind but he caught kings from July 7 until September 10.
Nearly every charter was a mixed bag of lake trout, steelhead, Atlantic salmon and kings with some Coho, pinks and
walleyes. Had many lake trout over 15 pounds and all Atlantics were LP clipped. Baitfish were mostly 3 to 4 inch
smelt with some chubs in both kings and lake trout. The smelt fry starting showing up later along with some alewives.
Ed returned to Alpena in September and had great fishing in 35 to 50 feet catching 6 to 8 pound kings, Steelhead to 12
pounds, 4 to 6 pound Atlantics, lake trout and walleyes.
Ken Pletcher was not present but Frank read Ken’s report – An average run of Chinook salmon was occurring in the
Cheboygan River but the run started a couple weeks later than usual. An incredible number of anglers are coming
from within and outside of the State to experience the shore fishing below the dam and along the river. A few
steelhead were beginning to show up in the river. Fishing offshore this summer was down some.
Commercial deep water trap net fishing opportunities in grid 1210 off of Oscoda (Todd Grischke, MDNR
Fisheries Division Lake Huron Basin Coordinator).
Recently, Fisheries Division staff met with Oscoda anglers, a charter boat captain and two representatives from Serafin
Fisheries to discuss commercial fishing in Grid 1210, which is the Lake Huron management grid near Oscoda. Prior to
1999, Grid 1210 was open to commercial fishing, but due to angler complaints it was closed in July of that year. Since
that time, Serafin Fisheries has regularly asked the Division to reevaluate the closure. Responding to their recent
request, the Division organized the meeting described above in Oscoda and the parties were able to reach agreement on
limited commercial fishing opportunities within the Grid. During the period from the Wednesday before Memorial
Day through the Wednesday after Labor Day, a total of 4 commercial nets may be set in Grid 1210. A maximum of 2
nets can be set in the northernmost portion of the Grid in Zone A and a maximum of 2 nets may be set the
southernmost portion of the Grid in Zone B, see attached maps*. The nets must be set during this period in waters
greater than 90 feet in depth but less than 150 feet. The new provisions will take effect for the 2015 fishing season.
Note on Commercial Fisher from the Harrisville area docking at the Harrisville Harbor to unload fish. A
Permit has been issued from the Parks and Recreation Division to allow the commercial fishing operations working off
of the County to dock at the Harrisville Harbor to unload their fish. There should be no interference with either
recreational boating or sport fishing.
An overview of the Law Enforcement Committee Advisory Group of the 2000 Great Lakes State/Tribal/U.S.
Consent Decree and the need for new public members (Lt. Wade Hamilton, Law Enforcement Division).
There was a Law Enforcement Advisory Committee created when the 2000 Great Lakes Consent Decree was
established. There are 4 positions for members of the public to serve on the Committee with each member
representing one of the Great Lakes. There is currently no outside voice on that Committee. If you, or someone you
know, may be interested in participating, please contact Lt. Wade Hamilton, or Frank Krist. The Committee meets
four (4) times per year for approximately 1-2 hours. The goal is to have a representative from each of the Great Lakes
basins.
Fisheries Division Manager Updates.
Jim Dexter, Chief – Due to a waiting period required before the Natural Resource Commission has authority to
approve fishing regulations because of newly passed legislation, there will be a delay in implementing new fishing
regulations until next year. Because of this, the DNR will issue a one-year fishing guide instead of the two-year guide
that had been planned.
9
Jim also updated the Committee on steps that are being taken following the single positive Asian Carp DNA result
taken from the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County. The Department is working closely with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to do further sampling on the river and has increased staff presence on the river to alert anglers and
ask them to be on the lookout for silver carp. The result does not necessarily mean a live silver carp is in the river.
Environmental DNA can be transported into waterways via gear, boats, fish-eating birds and other means. However,
the Department is treating the positive sample as though there was a live carp in the river.
Todd Grischke, Lake Huron Basin Coordinator – With the current delay in the Natural Resource Commission
obtaining authority to approve fishing regulations, opening the lake trout season in MH-1 and MH-2 of Lake Huron
from Alpena to Drummond Island in January instead of May will not take place until January 2016.
Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron Unit Supervisor – If there are any fishing access sites with significant use
during the winter, please let us know and we can work with Parks & Recreation Division to keep the sites plowed, etc.
The Swan River Weir harvest will be taking place any day. We are also working on inland lake surveys and walleye
evaluations.
Jim Baker, Southern Lake Huron Unit Supervisor – Finished all inland lake and stream surveys, walleye surveys and
largemouth bass evaluations. We are seeing walleye reproduction unlike anything we have seen in the past in many
of the inland lakes. September fishing on Saginaw Bay has been spotty due to poor windy weather. We will have
November creel at Lexington looking for Atlantic salmon and there will be occasional visits to Port Sanilac.
Aaron Switzer, Fisheries Biologist, Platte River Hatchery – Thompson Hatchery steelhead are doing well, and are on
target to be the largest yet. The Little Manistee Chinook salmon egg take took place today. Oden is collecting brown
trout and rainbow trout eggs. The vandalized viewing chamber at Oden has been repaired at a cost of $115,000. A
fishing pier has been added at the hatchery pond for old fish. The Platte River Hatchery has received Chinook eggs
and technicians from the Harrietta Hatchery have been helping with egg takes and liquid oxygen has been installed at
the hatchery. Steelhead at Wolf Lake Hatchery are doing well and musky will be stocked soon. A new boiler was
installed this spring to achieve constant temperatures for all musky tanks.
Dave Fielder, Acting Research Manager, Alpena Fisheries Research Station – The research station is wrapping up
their annual surveys. The research vessel, the Chinook has been placed in dry dock. The redesign work on the
replacement vessel is complete and it will be going out to bid soon. Construction should start this fall.
Adjourned 3:01 pm
*The handouts may be obtained by emailing Frank Krist at [email protected].
Meeting dates for 2015
Monday January, 26, 2014
Monday April 13, 2014
Monday June 22, 2014.
Wednesday October 7, 2014
Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc., Clare
Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc., Clare
Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc., Clare
Jay’s Sporting Goods Inc., Clare
10