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T a ROAD STREAM CROSSING FAILURE Climb aboard as the DNR surveys lake sturgeon

By BOB GWIZDZ Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Fisheries managers have many highshytechnology tools available today - acoustic tracking remote satellite imagery environmental DNA that might make oldshytimers shake their heads and think it all sounds like science fiction

But old-fashioned techniques continue to provide fisheries managers with data that helps them make management decisions that benefit both the fisheries resource and anglers

Nowhere is this truer than when it comes to managing the Great Lakes oldest denizens shylake sturgeon

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring sturgeon populations on the St Clair River for the last 25 years with a technique that is as old as fishing itself

DNR crews use set lines that are anchored to the bottom of the river channel and sport numerous hooks to catch and tag the mysterious preh istoric fish

The DNRs research vessel Channel Cat spent much of June on the North Channel of the St Clair River above Lake St Clair setting and running what are essentially trot lines to monitor whats going on with the Great Lakes most significant sturgeon population

This is the largest natural reproducing

Population of sturgeon in the Great Lakes said Todd Wills who heads up the Lake St Clair Fisheries Research Station We estimate

the population in the St Clair system at about 30000 fish 2 years old or older with about 12000 of them concentrated in the area being surveyed

DNR crews set lines Monday through Thursday and run those lines Tuesday through Friday throughout most of June They set nylon rope lines 500 feet in length with the middle section containing 25 hooks on tarred nylon leaders

The single hooks - either 20 freshwater hooks or larger size 4 saltwater hooks - are attached 10 feet apart and baited with dead gobies

Smaller hooks help catch smaller fish though it takes one of the larger hooks to hold the biggest fish which can weigh 100 pounds or more

The lines are set in deep water from about 38 to 70 feet deep running roughly perpendicular to the bank Theyre marked with large floats and kept on the bottom with large double-claw crab anchors

The set lines are spread over approximately 4 miles of river where sturgeon traditionally have been caught The set lines are the DNRs most efficient method of monitoring sturgeon though the crew also trawls for them on the lake in the summer

Trawling produces fewer fish and its pretty variable by year Wills said Some years theyre harder to find

Typically it takes a six-person DNR crew as well as some volunteers to work the lines Occasionally some special guests are invited to observe

We had Governor Snyder out last year Wills said

The crew begins by hauling in the lines handshyover-hand netting any fish that have been hooked The fish are transferred into a holding tank aboard the research vessel and are worked up as soon as the line is cleared

DNR personnel record more data than a marketing firm The fish are weighed measured three ways - total length girth at its widest and commercial length (from the gill plate to the base of the tail) - and the number of visible lamprey scars is noted

Crew members squeeze the sturgeon to see if they release eggs or milt which is the only way to determine their sex and crew members note anything unusual like missing barbels (whiskershylike sensory organs found near the snout) or damaged fins

Fish are injected with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags if they havent been tagged before and recaptures are noted If the fish is longer than 40 inches its also fitted with a numbered external tag on the dorsal fin If the sturgeon is shorter than 40 inches a pectoral fin ray is taken to estimate the age of the fish

Larger fish cant be aged accurately with that technique Wills said

After data are collected the fish are released and the crew makes sure they swim off unharmed before moving along The gear is stowed until the lines are reset after all lines have been run

Its an all-day job to run and set lines if were successfully capturing numerous fish Wills said Any day you get 20 fish or more its a really good day

Wills said the data collected indicate the population can withstand a short recreational fishing season

The catch-and-keep fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair River is July 16 - Sept 30 this year Anglers can keep one fish between 42 and 50 inches annually Harvested fish must be tagged by the angler and reported to the DNR

Our catch data from the set line survey shows about 80 percent of the population is protected with the current regulation which allows the unique opportunity to harvest a fish for anglers who choose to do so Wills said

Harvest is usually low with no more than a dozen fish taken each year Its largely a catchshyand-release fishery enjoyed by a very strong contingent of anglers Its getting more popular

The catchshyand-release

fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair

River continues

from Oct 1 - Nov 30

Roy Beasley who captains the Channel Cat says working the sturgeon survey is an enjoyable assignment

I think its the most fun he said It can be challenging when there are a lot of big boats around or high winds But the fish are big and you dont need a lot of gear

Trawling youve got winches and trawl doors and a big net - lots of bells and whistles - and you can get nets snagged up and torn up With set lines you dont have to deal with all that and you dont have to deal with big waves as youre in the river

Chet Kilanowski a retired letter carrier is one of the volunteers who occasionally helps out on the Channel Cat

I always wanted to do something with fish and wildlife so I volunteered he said Ive been helping out for 12 years When we first started the DNR had a smaller staff and really needed the help Now I go every once in a while like if one of the crew is out I fill in whenever they need me

Theres nothing wrong with volunteering when youre retired

Get more information on lake sturgeon In

Michigan at wwwmichigan govsturgeon

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories and subscribe to upcoming articles at wwwmichigan govdnrstories

Annual report highlights DNR Fisheries

Divisions 2016 accomplishments and

activities

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the DNR Fisheries Divisions report highlighting various management efforts accomplished during Fiscal Year 2016 is available online at michigangovfishing

Again this year there are two components to the report a 13-page document with full details of DNR fisheries management work completed in the past year and a 9-inch-by-12-inch printed trifold brochure (available as a PDF) that visually summarizes the content

The 2016 Fisheries Division Annual Report

the population in the St Clair system at about 30000 fish 2 years old or older with about 12000 of them concentrated in the area being surveyed

DNR crews set lines Monday through Thursday and run those lines Tuesday through Friday throughout most of June They set nylon rope lines 500 feet in length with the middle section containing 25 hooks on tarred nylon leaders

The single hooks - either 20 freshwater hooks or larger size 4 saltwater hooks - are attached 10 feet apart and baited with dead gobies

Smaller hooks help catch smaller fish though it takes one of the larger hooks to hold the biggest fish which can weigh 100 pounds or more

The lines are set in deep water from about 38 to 70 feet deep running roughly perpendicular to the bank Theyre marked with large floats and kept on the bottom with large double-claw crab anchors

The set lines are spread over approximately 4 miles of river where sturgeon traditionally have been caught The set lines are the DNRs most efficient method of monitoring sturgeon though the crew also trawls for them on the lake in the summer

Trawling produces fewer fish and its pretty variable by year Wills said Some years theyre harder to find

Typically it takes a six-person DNR crew as well as some volunteers to work the lines Occasionally some special guests are invited to observe

We had Governor Snyder out last year Wills said

The crew begins by hauling in the lines handshyover-hand netting any fish that have been hooked The fish are transferred into a holding tank aboard the research vessel and are worked up as soon as the line is cleared

DNR personnel record more data than a marketing firm The fish are weighed measured three ways - total length girth at its widest and commercial length (from the gill plate to the base of the tail) - and the number of visible lamprey scars is noted

Crew members squeeze the sturgeon to see if they release eggs or milt which is the only way to determine their sex and crew members note anything unusual like missing barbels (whiskershylike sensory organs found near the snout) or damaged fins

Fish are injected with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags if they havent been tagged before and recaptures are noted If the fish is longer than 40 inches its also fitted with a numbered external tag on the dorsal fin If the sturgeon is shorter than 40 inches a pectoral fin ray is taken to estimate the age of the fish

Larger fish cant be aged accurately with that technique Wills said

After data are collected the fish are released and the crew makes sure they swim off unharmed before moving along The gear is stowed until the lines are reset after all lines have been run

Its an all-day job to run and set lines if were successfully capturing numerous fish Wills said Any day you get 20 fish or more its a really good day

Wills said the data collected indicate the population can withstand a short recreational fishing season

The catch-and-keep fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair River is July 16 - Sept 30 this year Anglers can keep one fish between 42 and 50 inches annually Harvested fish must be tagged by the angler and reported to the DNR

Our catch data from the set line survey shows about 80 percent of the population is protected with the current regulation which allows the unique opportunity to harvest a fish for anglers who choose to do so Wills said

Harvest is usually low with no more than a dozen fish taken each year Its largely a catchshyand-release fishery enjoyed by a very strong contingent of anglers Its getting more popular

The catchshyand-release

fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair

River continues

from Oct 1 - Nov 30

Roy Beasley who captains the Channel Cat says working the sturgeon survey is an enjoyable assignment

I think its the most fun he said It can be challenging when there are a lot of big boats around or high winds But the fish are big and you dont need a lot of gear

Trawling youve got winches and trawl doors and a big net - lots of bells and whistles - and you can get nets snagged up and torn up With set lines you dont have to deal with all that and you dont have to deal with big waves as youre in the river

Chet Kilanowski a retired letter carrier is one of the volunteers who occasionally helps out on the Channel Cat

I always wanted to do something with fish and wildlife so I volunteered he said Ive been helping out for 12 years When we first started the DNR had a smaller staff and really needed the help Now I go every once in a while like if one of the crew is out I fill in whenever they need me

Theres nothing wrong with volunteering when youre retired

Get more information on lake sturgeon In

Michigan at wwwmichigan govsturgeon

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories and subscribe to upcoming articles at wwwmichigan govdnrstories

Annual report highlights DNR Fisheries

Divisions 2016 accomplishments and

activities

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the DNR Fisheries Divisions report highlighting various management efforts accomplished during Fiscal Year 2016 is available online at michigangovfishing

Again this year there are two components to the report a 13-page document with full details of DNR fisheries management work completed in the past year and a 9-inch-by-12-inch printed trifold brochure (available as a PDF) that visually summarizes the content

The 2016 Fisheries Division Annual Report

Wills said the data collected indicate the population can withstand a short recreational fishing season

The catch-and-keep fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair River is July 16 - Sept 30 this year Anglers can keep one fish between 42 and 50 inches annually Harvested fish must be tagged by the angler and reported to the DNR

Our catch data from the set line survey shows about 80 percent of the population is protected with the current regulation which allows the unique opportunity to harvest a fish for anglers who choose to do so Wills said

Harvest is usually low with no more than a dozen fish taken each year Its largely a catchshyand-release fishery enjoyed by a very strong contingent of anglers Its getting more popular

The catchshyand-release

fishing season in Lake St Clair and the St Clair

River continues

from Oct 1 - Nov 30

Roy Beasley who captains the Channel Cat says working the sturgeon survey is an enjoyable assignment

I think its the most fun he said It can be challenging when there are a lot of big boats around or high winds But the fish are big and you dont need a lot of gear

Trawling youve got winches and trawl doors and a big net - lots of bells and whistles - and you can get nets snagged up and torn up With set lines you dont have to deal with all that and you dont have to deal with big waves as youre in the river

Chet Kilanowski a retired letter carrier is one of the volunteers who occasionally helps out on the Channel Cat

I always wanted to do something with fish and wildlife so I volunteered he said Ive been helping out for 12 years When we first started the DNR had a smaller staff and really needed the help Now I go every once in a while like if one of the crew is out I fill in whenever they need me

Theres nothing wrong with volunteering when youre retired

Get more information on lake sturgeon In

Michigan at wwwmichigan govsturgeon

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories and subscribe to upcoming articles at wwwmichigan govdnrstories

Annual report highlights DNR Fisheries

Divisions 2016 accomplishments and

activities

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the DNR Fisheries Divisions report highlighting various management efforts accomplished during Fiscal Year 2016 is available online at michigangovfishing

Again this year there are two components to the report a 13-page document with full details of DNR fisheries management work completed in the past year and a 9-inch-by-12-inch printed trifold brochure (available as a PDF) that visually summarizes the content

The 2016 Fisheries Division Annual Report

focuses on the programs and work completed in the past fiscal year (Oct 1 2015 through Sept 30 2016) by division staff in an effort to maintain and improve Michigans fisheries The report categorizes work within the goals developed as part of the divisions five-year strategic plan published in March 2013

Highlights of the report include dam removal efforts habitat restoration work prevention of aquatic invasive species state-record fish fisheries population changes education and outreach efforts partnerships research fish stocking energy efficiencies and much more

Were always pleased to present our annual report to provide a regular snapshot of the critical work Fisheries Division is doing to manage Michigans world-class aquatic resources said Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter These reports help us track our progress as we work toward completing our strategic plan and we are proud to share them with the public

Fisheries Division welcomes input from readers of the 2016 annual report Comments may be shared via email to DNR-FishshyAccomplishmentsmichigangov

Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative announces action

plan mapping 0

future efforts

The Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative - a statewide partnership effort focused on restoring self-sustaining populations of this native fish shyunveiled its official action plan at Thursdays Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing The plan details the initiatives goals and various activities it plans to accomplish over the next several years

This initiative founded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians was announced in June 2016 and consists of 32 organizations

The action plan is the result of multiple meetings of the partners where ideas questions and information gaps were identified and then condensed into four main focus areas research management fish production and outreach and education

Large populations of Arctic grayling were once found throughout Michigans Lower Peninsula and even in an Upper Peninsula stream - in fact this iconic cold-water fish species was native only to Michigan and Montana in the lower 48 states said DNR Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter With the launch of the Arctic grayling action plan were moving an important step closer to making it possible for residents and visitors to once again find this slate-blue beauty with the distinctive dorsal fin in Michigan waters

This initiative is looking for resources from a variety of sources to help reach its goals like the Consumers Energy Foundation grant the DNR the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and Michigan Technological University received in February 2017 These funds are being used to collect habitat and fish community data in the upper Big Manistee River and create an outreach plan to engage Michigan citizens in the reintroduction efforts and once again make Arctic grayling an important part of Michigans heritage

Contributions by organizations like the Consumers Energy Foundation are invaluable as this initiative works toward making a dream a reality said Frank Beaver director of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Natural Resources Department Its so exciting to see so many partners working to try and bring back this significant species

Representatives from both the DNR and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians were on hand at yesterdays Natural Resources

Commission meeting to share details of the plan

For more information on the history of Arctic grayling in Michigan visit the initiatives newly launched website at migraylingorg

Attention all Volunteers

Fall is just around the corner and while we arent quite ready to face the loss of our summer face it we must Did you know the best way to embrace Fall is to join us for the MiCorps Fall Stream Sampling Event

If you are receiving this emailitis because you have volunteered in the past have expressed an interest in volunteering or because we think you might be interested in joining us on September 9th from 9 am to 2 pm to collect pre-flight bugs in the Cedar River

Volunteers will gather at the City Park Community Building in Gladwin MI at 9 am The City Park Community Building is located behind the police department on 240 S Cayuga St Gladwin MI 48624 From there you will be put into a team with 5-8 other volunteers and sent out to your teams sites to gather macroinvertebrates There will be a designated Team Leader a Collector that stays in the water and brings the samples to their Helper on the bank a Runner or two to take the buckets up to the tables and Pickers to help find and collect the bugs from the samples that are then preserved on-site If you have years of experience or none whatsoever there is a spot for you

Children also make great helpers as they can often spot and pick bugs out of the trays that adult eyes may not see so well Feel free to make this a family affair and let us know if you have children that you would like to bring along

There will also be an Identification night the following Monday on September 12th from 530 pm to 730 pm This will take place at the Little Forks Conservancy office on 105 Post St in Midland The Identification night is when all of the Macroinvertebrates collected during our samplings will be identified and recorded Please let us know which day you are signing up for or if you would like to join us for both

MiCorps Stream Samplings are a great way to become involved in your community meet new people with similar interests and to be a part of a project that helps monitor the biodiversity of the Cedar River Watershed

Sign up today and we will send out additional communications to you as the date gets closer Lunch will be provided for Saturdays sampling at the meeting spot so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions Sign up by emailing afosterlittleforksorg or by calling the office at 989-835-4886

Andrea Foster Conservation Outreach Coordinator The Little Forks Conservancy Midland MI 48640 p 9898354886 afosterlittleforksorg

Road Stream Crossing Issues

Heavy rains and poor road grading issues caused the road stream crossing to fail recently on Cranberry Creek a tributary of the Cedar River

Improper grading caused by grading curbs of sandgravel at the edge of the roadway caused water to accumulate in the roadway Heavy rains filled the road between the curbs and subsequently overflowed at the creek causing a washout and dumping the sandgravel mixture into the creek

The problem of sand and gravel being washed into the Cedar River System is not confined to

Cranberry Creek but too many road stream crossings in the Cedar River Watershed Not all of the problems are caused by improper grading techniques

The Martuch Chapter is working with the various county road commissions to identify problem areas and provide solutions to these issues

(photos at the end of the newsletter)

Chapter Activities

Our Chapter has been active in performing fish population surveys on various sites in the Cedar River Watershed We recently lost our leader of this project and are looking for a replacement to lead a team of volunteers performing the surveys

These surveys usually involve a two day survey shocking about 1000 of river The first day collecting marking and recording samples and the second day doing recapture of the same section of the river

If you are interested in learning more please contact Bill Holler at fwhollercharterminet

Adams Fly Print

We have some prints of the Adams Fly by Beth Ward Donahue that celebra te TUs 50h Anniversary Costs are $12000 and $16000 (remarked) Contact Ross Rosenbrock 989-662-6533 rrosenbrocklirecom Check out our middotwebsite

State Council wwwmichigantuorg

Executive Director Bryan Burroughs bryanbutroughsmic~otuOtg

Aquatic Biologist - Kristin Thomas

Chairman - Tom Quail - tqlUwmichigantuorg

Vice Chairman - Greg Walz

Past Chairman John Walters iwaltelSmichigantuorg

Secretary - Mike Lagowski

Treasurer - Rob Smith - lsmithmic~~ul tu tg

National Council Rep - Rob Smith lSmithmicWgantuorg

L P Martuch BOD Meetings

O ff for the summer

LP Martuch bull Board of Directors

Brad Befus (2018) 866-587-6747shybefusbscientificanglerscom

Will Halphen (2018) (989-708-1749)shywhalphengmailcom

Harley Holsinger (2016) (989-667-0581)shyharleyolivecom - BOD

Josh Jenkins (2018) 989-495-7151 shylenkinsjscientificang lerscom

John Johnson (2016) 989-835-6047 jockotm net shyKids Day Fly Tying

George Killat (2018) (989-835-3793)shytugeorgekcharternet - Membership

Thomas Monto (2016) 989-430-8327 shyt8moot aolcom

Mark Rapanos (2018) 989-20-0198 shymkrapanoscharter net - BOD

Ross Rosenbrock (2018) 989-662-6533 rrosenbrocklivecom

John VanDalen (2018) 989-631 -6873 jvdfishgmailcom

John Winchester (2018) 989-631-0122 jgwinchattnet shyTreasurerHatch Book

Steve Wilkowski (2016) 989-495-7151 swilkowski2000yahoocom - President SIC

Committee Chainnen

Bill Holler 989-284-6566 fvhnll middot(chartenninet shyProjects Property

John Van Dalen 989-631-6873 vdb hgmailcom - Special Events

Interesting web sites

httpwww martuchtu orgPagesdefa u Ilaspx Leon P Martuch Website

htrplhLOUSgsgov Hydrology data for all rivers in the US

Fly patterns articles and

hrtp I in foabrfcnoaagov rfc- fohunl National Xeather Service river forecasts

WWWlLl rg Home page Trout Unlimited

~ steclheadsitecom Steelhead information

Disclaimer Statement

the Leon P fartuch Chapter of Trout Unlimited OPMCfU) i~ not rc~p()nibk for the content of thc articlc~ ~ubmjrted and publi~hed in the I NJ)l NC N 1 1 even though all newlcttcr article and adverti~cmcnt~ arc approved bl rhl editor only for rdcvance T echnical dra is for informational JlUrpo~c onlv No re~pon~ibility i~ accepted by thc 1PMCTLmiddot for results brilled by peron using ~uch dara and all liability for any consclull1tial injurie or damagl~ i~ disclaimed Information regarding ~pecific datc and

Vvwfedfl fishersorg Federation of Flyfishers Home Page

httpWTVmiclJjgwtuorgl NIicrugan Council of Trout Unlimited Home Page

wwwfffglcorg Federation of Fly Fishers

wwwlssuedu Lake Superior State University Fish cam at the power plant at the Soo

wwwtrailstorroutcom Website for trout fishing

On Line Fishing Log mydailyfishinglogcom

Guide to fly fishing waters of the US shywwwkyndoutdoorscom

American Museum of Fly Fishing wwwamffcom

nglersorg

On AOL Look under Interest Hobbies and Fishing

We will publish more sites as they become known If you know of interesting sites let me know at t8montoaolcom

Membership

Trout Unlimited has a membership program going Our Chapter can gready benefit by having you sign up a new member Log onto wwwtuotgintro and you can get aspecial introductory rate of ))1750 Be sure to enter code 250 so our Chapter will receive credit for the membership This would make a great gift for your fishing buddy

For membership problems contact George Killat

locations for events should bc verified prior to monetary or travel commitmcnt Rcfercncc to any specific commercial manufacturer O(

otherwise dne not con~ritutc recommcndarion or favnrin~ b th IP[C j L I Ilolrd of Directors its mtmbcrhip editor nor the publisher The articlegt published do not necessarily reflect thc views of the publisher cditor or thc I ]gt Chaptcr ofTroLlt Unlimitcd