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Here in Newberry, we are finishing our analyses of fish growth, population dynamics, and
management options for last summer’s survey waters. We are also working on net and other
equipment repairs, as well as attending lots of management meetings. The winter has already
been a long one, and we are getting fired up for spring survey work. As a reminder, a map
showing current Upper Peninsula management unit boundaries can be found on the DNR website
under the Fisheries section, and also at the end of this newsletter.
Fish Rearing
We did not raise any walleyes or other fish species within the unit during 2007. In addition to
minimizing unit travel and equipment expenses, we were trying to limit our potential for
transferring the VHS virus into new waters. Because of VHS, we will not be raising walleyes in
2008, either. We are hoping to get back into the walleye rearing business during the summer of
2009.
Creel Survey
Creel census clerks in the Eastern Upper Peninsula were employed last summer and fall at Grand
Marais, Au Train Lake, Munising, the St. Marys River and Cedarville. Another clerk split time
between Detour and St. Ignace. Data generated by all the clerks will be analyzed at Charlevoix.
For each of those areas, we will see estimates of fishing pressure, species harvested, and catch
per effort.
Large Lake Survey at Portage/Torch Lake
Technicians assisted during the extensive survey of the Keewenaw area Portage and Torch Lakes
in April, which included tagging of pike, walleye, sturgeon and smallmouth bass. Fisheries
crews from all over the state converged on the area, helping to net and tag the fish. In the past,
Fisheries Division had done 2 – 4 large lake surveys state-wide every spring. Now, however, we
plan only one per spring.
East Branch Tahquamenon River
We are still working with the U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) Fisheries personnel to reduce the number
of beaver and their dams in the East Branch
Tahquamenon River around the Strongs area.
Several dams were removed by USFS personnel in
2007 from Creek #8 between Salt Point Road and
the old railroad grade. We also met on-site to
determine future plans concerning the Creeks #8
and #9 culverts under the old railroad grade. We
also discussed the potential to place gravel
spawning habitat downstream from the railroad
grade in Creek #8. The 2004 Status Typical beaver dam in the East Branch, of the Fishery
blocking trout spawning migrations
Report by Chuck Bassett, U.S. Forest Service Fisheries Biologist, described a doubling of the
number of beaver dams during the previous ten years. The dams are blocking trout migration
into spawning areas and limiting total number of trout present in the river. This long-term
project includes beaver trapping, dam removal, and possibly spawning gravel placement, and
will continue for several more years.
Surveys of Interest
We conducted a limited number of surveys during 2007, mainly constrained by technician
commitments to help fight the Sleeper Lake Fire, north of Newberry. Listed below are some of
the surveys that we were able to complete.
Andrus Lake, Chippewa County, 33 acres
This 2007 shoreline boomshocking effort was
basically an effort to see whether fish were using
trees that we had placed in the water for shelter.
We found the water level very low, most of the
trees were at least partially out of the water, and
even the tops were too shallow to provide fish
shelter. Other than the several trees we had
placed and anchored, the shallow water shoreline
was completely barren of vegetation. The good
news is that, when the lake level returns to
normal, the new terrestrial grasses growing on the
now-exposed shoreline will provide a good
temporary shelter for small fish. Upon decay from being submerged, those grasses will also
provide a temporary source of nutrients that will help the lake. We captured only a few fish, and
few of them were associated with the trees. Water levels will have to come back up to
approximately normal before those trees will be used as we had envisioned.
Au Train Lake, Alger County, 830 acres
Au Train Lake has not been stocked with walleyes since 2005. It was scheduled for stocking in
2007, but due to unusual circumstances, no walleyes were raised by Fisheries Division. The
stocking protocol that we are currently following is to stock 25,000 fingerlings on alternate
years. Prior to 2003, the stocking rate was about 50,000 fingerlings on alternate years. The next
year scheduled will be 2009. Age and stocking data for Au Train Lake are shown in the
following table: