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Lightning Strike Devastates Little Manistee Weir Ahead of Steelhead Egg Take
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Lightning Strike Devastates Little Manistee Weir Ahead of Steelhead Egg Take Apr 15, 2026 12:13 am #42092

  • Lickety-Split
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We have a couple updates and some sad news to share.

1. HB 5093 is still moving in the Michigan House of Representatives. We are expecting a vote in the House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee later this month.  If it passes in committee, the bill goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote there. We will keep you posted on this.  When it gets to the House floor for a vote, it will be critical we contact our representatives and urge them to vote yes on HB 5093. 

2. We just revamped our GLSI website and updated our angler resources page. Now that trolling season is beginning, make sure to book mark the Great Lakes Salmon Initiative Anglers Resources page. Get the latest weather, fishing reports, buy a license, check web cams, learn how to tie fishing knots, buy tackle, book a charter and lots of other information on all the Great Lakes. Here is a link:  glsalmon.org/great-lakes-anglers-resources/

3. Now for the sad news. ⚡ Lightning Strike Devastates Little Manistee Weir Ahead of Steelhead Egg Take
A powerful overnight storm swept through the Manistee area, delivering a direct lightning strike to the Little Manistee Weir—with serious consequences.

The strike knocked out the electrical system and water pumps that supply fresh water to holding tanks filled with recently run steelhead. Critically, it also disabled backup generators and alert systems designed to notify staff of emergencies.

As a result, more than 1,200 steelhead have been lost.
Right now, teams from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources—including the Fisheries Chief, biologists, and hatchery staff—are on-site working urgently to save remaining fish and collect eggs for next year’s stocking efforts. The full impact on 2027 steelhead stocking is still unknown.

This loss extends beyond Michigan. The Little Manistee Weir supplies steelhead eggs to multiple states, meaning this event could affect regional stocking programs as well.

The bigger issue:
Steelhead, coho and atlantic salmon do not have any back up egg take facilities like we have for chinook. If a natural disaster like lightning strikes or severe flooding causes a problem, an entire year-class of fish for stocking could be lost. While the Little Manistee weir was recently rebuilt and modernized, a power surge from a lightning strike still did major damage. The DNR cannot control the damage nature can be capable of. Other state hatcheries still have outdated equipment and are in urgent need of modernization. Unfortunately, funding limitations have prevented building back up weirs for steelhead, coho and atlantic egg take and delayed critical upgrades to some facilities. A similar incident occurred recently at Wolf Lake Hatchery, where a backup generator caught fire during a power outage—though quick action by the hatchery team prevented fish losses in that case.

This is why action is needed now.
The Great Lakes Salmon Initiative, alongside 124+ fishing groups, businesses, and tourism partners, is advocating for HB 5093—legislation that would provide the resources needed to modernize infrastructure, protect fish populations, and strengthen stocking programs across Michigan.

Without it, we risk more losses—from equipment failures, extreme weather, and aging systems—and potential cuts to fish production in the years ahead.
Join us in supporting HB 5093 and help protect Michigan’s world-class fisheries!

If you have not renewed your membership in the GLSI for 2026, we need your help now. We are expending a lot of resources to get HB 5093 passed and your membership support funds these efforts.   GLSI membership is only $20 annually.  We really appreciate the anglers who have stepped up this year with $100 silver memberships!   Please join us to help improve fishing in our Great Lakes region, here is a link:  glsalmon.org/great-lakes-salmon-initiative-memberships/

If you have any questions, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Thanks for your support!

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Great Lakes Salmon Initiative
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Chelsea, MI 48118
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Last edit: by Lickety-Split.
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Lightning Strike Devastates Little Manistee Weir Ahead of Steelhead Egg Take