TOPIC:

·

Great Lakes Salmon Initiative
2 hrs ·
June 20th the GLSI had a phone conversation with Chief of Fisheries. The subject was the Strategies, Goals, Objectives to develop the next 5yr plan including Mission Statement for the fisheries Division of the MDNR. This was not about managing Lake Michigan but the overall management of fisheries of the State of Michigan. It is very appreciated that we were asked to participate in this endeavor and we were able to give different perspectives than other organizations that also participated.

The GLSI has worked extremely hard to develop a working relationship with the MDNR, Tribes, USGS to improve the management of the Great Lakes. Not everything that we approach the DNR with will be immediately adopted but we have accomplished several important items. First off this year would have seen a plant of Chinook of 200,000 not 330,000 fish. Lake Trout season and the opening of fisheries for LT has been opened for pier heads and F Type streams and rivers effective immediately June 9th. The tone of discussions of the Management of Lake Michigan and the economic considerations and desires of the angling community as consideration. Movement of Lake Trout from the southern portion of Lake Michigan to the northern portion. Lake Trout have exceeded rehab efforts and natural repro numbers are getting dangerously high, just like salmon did and a balance needs to occur. On top of that the Goby population is in question recently showing a possible collapse and the MDNR and USFWS hinged and promoted rehab efforts on the back of gobies. Not known if the goby situation is from predation or environmental---sound familiar? Like alewives.

One of the most important changes we may see is Zonal Management of the Lake and spoke to Jim Dexter a bit about this yesterday. We approached the DNR about this concept this winter and were shot down but then they picked up the ball, reviewed it and working towards this. Breaking the lake into 3-4 zones will allow for easier management based on predators, prey, and geographical features related to particular species. This will also improve zonal promotion of fisheries by the MDNR and more importantly Chambers of Commerces for economic benefits. The economics of this fishery--is the greatest valued income of any fishery in the state and will maintain that focus and continue to maintain the improvement of our fishery.

Spoke to Jim Dexter about the retention and recruitment of younger anglers into all states fisheries. River fishing for steelhead has shown an increase and getting the next generation to roll into the Great Lakes Fisheries is paramount to maintain stability, proper management and economics. Not only is it about licenses but the federal dollars---excise taxes that come back to the state. This is our money that is held by the feds through out the country and distributed back to states based on license sales. The more equipment purchased the greater the return. We all have witnessed the collapse of angling participation on Lake Huron and many ports are seeing the same path on Lake Michigan---it is time to stop the slide. The MDNR has to change from can we do it? To the mind set of HOW do we make this happen!!

We would like to have a public meeting to answer questions and provide data in a compiled format on what has/ happening in our lake. Spoke to Shane from Dreamweaver and he recommended Wed July 10th in Ludington during the Ruboy Tournament sign up. Thought that would be perfect. We will get back to you this weekend on schedule.