Michigan Salmon redux

For Immediate Release
August 27, 2012
 
 
ANN ARBOR, MI—Following more than a year of consultation with angler groups and other stakeholders, the Lake Michigan Committee (LMC) has proposed a new management strategy for Lake Michigan salmon. Beginning in spring of 2013, the LMC recommends that Chinook salmon stocking in Lake Michigan be reduced to one-half of current stocking levels. With salmon egg collections to begin in September, 2012, fisheries management agencies are now developing plans to decrease fingerling production targets to levels supporting reduced stocking, for a minimum of three years. The LMC comprises representatives from each of the state fisheries management agencies in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA). The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) facilitates the committee’s activities.

The proposed Chinook salmon reduction is in response to recent increases in natural reproduction of Chinook and declines in the forage base. Recent studies have shown that approximately 55% of Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan is produced naturally, and prey fish (e.g., alewife) are currently at or near historic low levels, conditions similar to those leading to the collapse of prey fish populations in Lake Huron. The planned stocking reductions are intended to maintain a quality Chinook salmon fishery, while reducing the predation on the forage population.

While Chinook salmon are highly dependent on alewives, all Great Lakes salmonids use those forage fish to varying degrees. Balancing predator and prey populations by reducing predation pressure is necessary to stabilize the ecosystem as well as to preserve the quality and diversity of the multi-billion-dollar sport fishery. The LMC’s approach gained widespread support from all agencies and their constituents throughout the decision-making process. Along with the proposed reductions, an adopted monitoring plan should allow management agencies to react quickly if conditions change.

Each LMC member agency must still approve and implement the committee’s recommendations. Under the proposed agreement, the 3.3 million Chinook salmon annually stocked into Lake Michigan would be reduced by 1.6 million fish, for a total of 1.7 million fish to be stocked. Of the reduced stocking, Michigan would shoulder the largest reduction, stocking 1.1 million fewer fish, since Michigan streams currently contribute the majority of the natural reproduction. Wisconsin would reduce its stocking by 440,000 fish, while Illinois and Indiana would reduce by 20,000 and 25,000 fish, respectively. The CORA tribes do not stock Chinook salmon. This proposed stocking reduction should still provide for fall spawning runs for stream and nearshore anglers. Each agency will work with their respective management teams to implement these changes in the manner most appropriate to each jurisdiction.

Contacts:
Tom Gorenflo, CORA: 906-632-0072
Marc Gaden, GLFC: 734-417-8012
Steve Robillard, Illinois: 847-294-4134
Jeremy Price, Indiana: 260-244-6805
Jay Wesley, Michigan: 269-685-6851 x 117
Brad Eggold, Wisconsin: 414-382-7921


 

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Food for Thought
 
L13

Hey Andy -this is too familiar a subject- recall a similar thing back in the 80s. They said Ontario would be last in line to have the baitfish decline as I recall.
 Our fish did seem to decline for a while afterwards and stomach studies out in the lake reported a decline in content and variety of baitfish not commonly eaten by the Kings were found in them about that time too. Right around the big lowering of Lake levels  when the bait couldnt spawn properly as well .
  Some also blamed the bait reductions on having stocked way too many fish than the Lakes could support.
  As a one or two trip a year guy back then I never paid more attention to it than that but seem to recall 'Old Hickory' articles on it. Clearly the fish numbers declined over time and so did those of the folks fishing as the result. Fish came back and so did the anglers- Gotta wonder where the 'happy medium' is and if its even consistently achievable.
   Interesting stuff considering last Falls State report indicating that the fishery is back to the fish numbers and fisherman numbers of the past.

Charlie --Saw that report earlier today in another place and have been chewing on it for hours.
   Back when I started  on the SR around 1979 or1980 Steel were in Springtime abundance- some biggies too. Never tried them in very late Fall or Winter back then-  in a coupla years they seriously dropped off and in some Springs other fishermen became a rarity in many areas of the river and a fish a day was considered pretty good.
  Now they are back strong as ever and guys complain about too many 'cookie cutters'.
  Back then we always seemed to experience a real 'hot King run' in mid to late Sept and shortly that too become undependable.  we started coming up for about 5 days instead of 2 or 3 to be sure and get into fish--that too has changed for the better with  steady pushes not uncommon in that particular time frame.
  Startin to look like Partridge populations- cyclical but over a very long time frame.
 

Back in the day they reported being surprised  that Kings had eaten those little bottom dwellers and felt it to be an indication of the Aleweif pop. falling off. Particularly when it was the only thing in some stomachs. Perhaps they have become a more normal  food source over time.
  Heck if they go for a blue sac or a popsicel fly they are likely to eat anything.

Welll- this is a post about possible future issues and it seemed proper to bring up issues of the past that are similar.  What happens in the other lakes are great talking points we should be aware of.
  At the risk of another hijack  gonna bring up this upcoming season. As we know last year was a great year. Personally  kinda got bumped outa most of both last season and the one before so this one is special.
 Last year we had an inordinant number of Jacks run in. Jacks are always there but last year they were all over the place troughout the season in good numbers. Some on the River spoke of the possibility of large King numbers out in the lake since there were so many young fish running in a year or so early.
 This year the lake is reported to have had the best King season in years and the size of the fish is increased as well. Even very early  reports from some fishing DSR are of large fish to 30 pounds or more.
  Sounds like a strong possibility of a banner season coming up -at least for Kings-but also lends support to the initial points of the post too.
   Makes me think seriously bout increasing my leader strength -lol- havent read one thing bout Kings in the teens yet- over 20 seems to be common for the few reported so far on various forums and posts.

42# I might have to strap water skis to my sons waders so I dont lose him.