Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit Have Been Added to the Trout Trails Web-Application

Eastern Lake FISHERIES DIVISION M I C H I G A N DEPARTMENT OF Superior N A T U R A L RESOURCES Management Unit Staff I S S U E 5 JANUARY 2017 Phil Schneeberger 2016-17 Newsletter Basin Coordinator

As many of us are anxiously awaiting spring, we look ahead and ponder where our Cory Kovacs next adventure may take us. A small remote trout lake, a stretch of untouched Acting Unit Manager/ stream, or a possible destination to fill our creel basket or livewell are just some of the Fisheries Biologist wishes we have for 2017. Be assured that the staff in Eastern Lake Superior Manage- ment Unit (ELSMU) have been working diligently to make your fishing experiences Shawn Sapp better and more valuable. Each year our staff complete many projects and conduct Fisheries Technician- Supervisor many field surveys in our area waters. The ELSMU consists of portions of Alger, Chippe- wa, Luce, Marquette, and Carl Christiansen Schoolcraft counties. This newslet- Fisheries Technician ter details many efforts staff have made to improve the fisheries in Wayne Heinzman the Eastern Upper Peninsula. So Fisheries Technician while you are gazing out a win- dow at the drifting snow, think of Regional Creel Clerks all the potential upcoming ad- ventures for 2017. These thoughts

should keep you warm and moti- Becky Papke vated for the next couple of Munising and Grand Marais months. Good Fishing!

Kynzie House Marquette Key reminders for 2017

 New waters for the Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit have been added to the Trout Trails web-application. Counties now covered include, Luce and Chippewa. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr for web application.

 Upcoming Free Fishing weekends when you can fish without a license (all fishing regula- tions still apply) February 18-19, 2017 June 10- 11, 2017

I S S U E 5 Fishery Spotlight P A G E 2

Pike Lake, Luce County

Located in the heart of Luce County, about 20 miles northeast of New- berry, is a 292-acre lake that drains into the Little Two Hearted River. Pike Lake State Forest Campground serves as the sole public access site with a concrete ramp and a small parking area. Boat traffic on this lake is limited with the majority being anglers from the campground or the various seasonal residences surrounding the lake. Fisheries management here has primarily been targeted at the Walleye fishery since 1981, with Walleye being stocked nearly every other year to build the population. Since then, some natural reproduction has been docu- mented, but is not believed to be enough to sustain the population thus the need for stocking. The most recent fish community survey conducted in 2016 found Walleye to be growing above statewide average (which is great for an Upper Peninsula inland lake). The survey also found improving Northern Pike and Yellow Perch populations with a good number of desirable fish captured. In recent years, anglers have been successful on Walleye here with many of the fish caught coming from the cohorts stocked since 2011. There are still a good number of larger fish in the lake that frequently achieve 25 inches and are a special treat when encountered. Anglers use popular Walleye fishing methods such as trolling harnesses off of the drops and drifting floating jigs with leeches. Pike Lake can be a destination for many, with a quiet campground situated on its shoreline and off the beaten path for most.

Fisheries Division Mission To protect and enhance Michigan’s aquatic life and habitats for the benefit of current and future generations. I S S U E 5 Unit Activities P A G E 3

Walleye Rearing Ponds and Stocking In 2016, ELSMU operated two Walleye rearing ponds, Shelter Bay and Deer Lake ponds, both located in Alger County. A total of 45,302 spring fingerling Walleye were harvested with an average length of 1.6 inches. A total of five area lakes were stocked. In addition, two area lakes were stocked with fish from the Southern Lake Huron Management Unit in Bay City. Below is a list of the lakes stocked with Walleye from ELSMU rearing ponds. A complete list of stocked area lakes is attached to this newsletter.

County Waterbody Number Stocked

Alger Au Train Basin 21,360

Alger Deer Lake 4,290

Alger Grand Marais-West Bay 5,705

Alger Round Lake (NLMMU) 13,047

Luce Pretty Lake 816

Student Project

As part of the Fisheries Degree program at Lake Superior State University, students must complete a senior thesis project. In 2016 Chris Cortell completed an investiga- tion on the Tahquamenon River sport fishery. This project investigated relative abundance trends of Muskellunge, North- ern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Chris will be presenting his findings at the 2017 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. Great work Chris! I S S U E 5 Unit Activities P A G E 4

Youth Outreach Events

In recent years, there has been concern of angler recruitment and retention. Many state agencies across the United States have made efforts to get the younger generations involved in the outdoors. With the busy lives we lead, we may take less time to appreciate the natural resources around us. In Goal 2 of our Strategic Plan, Fisheries Division has made commitments to increase our public outreach and edu- cation efforts in both the current angling community and future stakeholders. The youth events attended in 2016 for ELSMU staff were fun, productive, and well attended. Whenever youth can get an op- portunity to see live fish, hooking them to fishing is much easier!

Find your new favorite fishing spot! I S S U E 5 Project Spotlight P A G E 5

RoxburyFall Walleye Ponds East Assessments and West Located in northern Chippewa County, Roxbury Ponds East and West were once managed as trout lakes until the early 2000’s. Trout management was unsuccessful and in 2014 ELSMU decided to create warmwater fisheries in these ponds using wild fish transfers. In 2014, Roxbury Pond West received 151 adult Bluegills and in 2015 received 124 Bluegills and 48 Largemouth Bass adults. In partnership with the United States For- est Service-Hiawatha Unit, habitat improve- ments were made by dropping trees along the shoreline and placement of brush bundles that will provide cover structure for juvenile Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. It is hopeful that these species will reproduce in this pond and become self-sustaining. Because Roxbury Pond East pond was a borrow pit from the creation of Lakeshore Drive, fish habitat was limited. Field staff also placed brush bundles in Roxbury Pond East in the winter of 2016. In the fall, 150 Black Crappie were stocked. Black Crappie fisheries are limited in the eastern UP and this pond offered an excellent opportuni- ty to create a warmwater fishery. This project addresses Goal 2, Objective 2, Strate- gy 3 of Fisheries Division’s Strategic Plan: Chart- ing the Course.

I S S U E 5 Employee Spotlight P A G E 6

Happy Retirement, Steve Scott!

A Michigan native, Steve Scott was born and raised in southeast Michigan. Growing up on a lake, Steve set his sights on a career in natural resources and fisheries management. In 1987, Steve began his Michigan DNR career in Newberry as a Fisheries Biologist then quickly held promotional positions as Unit Manager and Basin Coordinator serving on Fish Division’s Management Team. Steve was responsible for various statewide re- sponsibilities for Fish Division most notably, cormo- rant control. Steve was well liked and respected in the fisheries profession. After 29 years, in May of 2016, Steve decided to retire to focus on family and fishing. Thanks to Steve for all of his service and professionalism. Good luck in retirement!

Temp Logger Data

Each year Fisheries Biologists East Branch Tahquamenon River across Michigan place tempera- Water Temperature ture loggers into lakes and streams to capture water tem- 65 perature trend data. This data 60 helps to understand how stream 55 temperature is impacting fish 50 populations. In 2016, six streams

Fahrenheit 45 were monitored with tempera- 40 ture loggers. The line graph to the left shows water temperature in

a cold trout stream. Ideal temps

July-16 May-16

June-16 for Brook Trout show stay below August-16

October-16 72 degrees. September-16 I S S U E 5 Happy Angler Board P A G E 7

Nice Muskellunge! Who does not love Black Crappie?

“Dad can you take it off the hook for me?” Another successful young angler! I S S U E 5 Fieldwork 2016 P A G E 8

2016 Survey Summaries (Some analysis not yet completed. Contact office for additional detailed information.) Status and Trends Surveys Clark Lake

 Captured 204 Yellow Perch, 3 Northern Pike, 1,171 Black Bullhead

 Yellow Perch averaged 8.3 inches and Northern Pike averaged 32.5 inches Pretty Lake

 Captured 7 Splake, 17 Walleye, 2,301 Yellow Perch, and 3 Smallmouth Bass

 Walleye and Yellow Perch averaged 21 inches and 3 inches, respectively

 Only 1 Splake was greater than 12 inches (legal size) Pike Lake

 Captured 26 Northern Pike and 29 Walleye

 Northern Pike averaged 22.7 inches and Walleye averaged 14.1 inches (48% legal size)

 Northern Pike and Walleye showed good growth Chocolay River (year 3 out of 3)

 Brook Trout population estimate calculated at 282/acre

 Captured 191 Brown Trout, 101 Coho Salmon smolts, and 262 Rainbow Trout (steelhead) Rock River (year 3 out of 3)

 Brook Trout population estimate calculated at 229/acre

 Captured 61 Rainbow Trout (steelhead) and 4 Coho Salmon smolts Tahquamenon River (year 3 out of 3)

 Brook Trout population estimate calculated at 2,894/acre

 Captured 789 Brook Trout of which 81 were greater than 7 inches East Branch Fox River (year 3 out of 3)

 Brook Trout population estimate calculated at 638/acre

 Captured 168 Brook Trout of which 12 were greater than 7 inches

 Captured 81 Brown Trout of which 23 were greater than 7 inches Little Beaver Creek

 Captured many warmwater minnow species; water temperatures too warm for trout species I S S U E 5 Fieldwork 2016 P A G E 9

2016 General Surveys East Branch Tahquamenon River

 Captured 42 Brook Trout with an average size of 7.3 inches

 Brook Trout growth well above statewide average Nawakwa Lake

 Spring sample to evaluate Northern Pike population

 Captured 28 Northern Pike with an average length of 18.1 inches; Northern Pike growth is poor

 Captured 136 Walleye with an average length of 12.6 inches; Walleye growth is poor Blind Sucker Flooding

 Spring sample to evaluate Northern Pike population

 Captured 250 Northern Pike

 Northern Pike averaged 21 inches; growth below statewide average Bodi Lake

 Spring sample to evaluate Northern Pike population

 Captured 31 Northern Pike and two Walleye

 Northern Pike averaged 18.5 inches and had growth near statewide average Little Lake Harbor  Fish Community survey captured Black Crappie, Brook Trout, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Eurasian Ruffe, Walleye, Coho Salmon, and various minnow species Twin Lake  Spring sample to evaluate Largemouth Bass population  Captured 98 Largemouth Bass with an average length of 11.7 inches  Two Muskellunge were captured at 36 and 39 inches

Brook Trout Lake Surveys

Brook Trout Caught Length Range (inches) Average Length (inches) Growth Trout Lake 40 7-12 8.7 Good Ward Lake 41 6-12 9.5 Good

I S S U E 5 Fieldwork 2017 P A G E 10

Scheduled surveys to be completed in 2017: Lakes -Au Train Lake -Big Island Lake -Worchester Lake -Dana Lake -Lake Milakokia -Spring lake -Bodi Lake -Pike Lake -Kilpecker Lake -Tank Lake -Muskallonge Lake -Grand Marais– West Bay Blind Sucker Flooding Northern Pike evaluation 2016 Rivers/Streams -Joel Creek -Naomikong Creek -Davenport Creek -North Branch Valley Spur -Anna River -St. Marys River (above locks) -Munuscong Bay-St. Marys River

Creel Survey- Dollarville Flooding

In the summer of 2017, a creel survey will be conducted on Dol- larville Flooding. A creel clerk will be conducting interviews with anglers seeking information such as time spent fishing, targeted species, catch data, angler demographics, and some angler val- ues. Collection of this information is extremely important to fisheries managers as this can provide feedback from the angling public on their success and opinions about the fishery. Dollarville Flooding is an impoundment located near the village of Newberry and has become a widely popular Muskellunge fishery. If you are fishing Dollarville Flooding, Fisheries Division appreciates your cooperation and shared information. I S S U E 5 P A G E 11

To obtain information on lake or stream surveys from this year or years prior or to ask any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading our 2016-17 newsletter!

DNR Newberry Customer Service Center DNR-Fisheries Biologist 5100 State Hwy. M-123 Cory Kovacs Newberry, MI 49868 906-293-5131 Ext. 4071 906-293-5131 I S S U E 5 P A G E 12

Stocking in the Eastern UP: 2016 Avg. Length County Waterbody Species Number Age (inches) Alger Ackerman Lake Rainbow Trout (EL) 750 Yearling 6.2 Alger Addis Lakes (Ponds) Brook Trout 1,500 Spring Fingerling 2.2 Alger Anna River Rainbow Trout (MI) 50,224 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Au Train Basin (Forest Lake) Walleye 26,070 Spring Fingerling 2.0 Alger Au Train Lake Walleye 21,360 Spring Fingerling 1.6 Alger Au Train River Brown Trout 1,900 Yearling 5.2 Alger Bette's Pond* Bluegill 450 Adult 6.2 Alger Brian's Pond* Bluegill 450 Adult 6.2 Alger Cheryl's Pond* Brook Trout 310 Yearling 8.4 Alger Cook Lake* Bluegill 250 Adult 3.1 Alger Cook Lake* Fathead Minnow 11,250 Adult 2.0 Alger Cook Lake* Largemouth Bass 150 Yearling 8.1 Alger Cox Pond Brook Trout 50 Adult 11.6 Alger Cox Pond Brook Trout 350 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Deer Lake Lake Trout 150 Adult 14.4 Alger Deer Lake Rainbow Trout (MI) 5,000 Yearling 8.1 Alger Deer Lake Walleye 4,290 Spring Fingerling 1.8 Alger East Branch Whitefish River* Brook Trout 1,500 Yearling 8.4 Alger Hike Lake* Brook Trout 825 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Indian River (Big)* Brown Trout 950 Yearling 5.2 Alger Irwin Lake* Brook Trout 750 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Kay's Pond* Brook Trout 450 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Lake Superior (Grand Marais) Walleye 5,705 Spring Fingerling 1.8 Alger Lake Superior (Munising Bay) Splake 34,993 Yearling 8.4 Alger Lake Superior (Munising Bay) Splake 3,500 Yearling 8.8 Alger Mirror Lake* Brook Trout 140 Adult 14.7 Alger Mirror Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,800 Yearling 6.2 Alger Rock Lake* Brook Trout 1,000 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger Sitka Lake Brook Trout 620 Yearling 8.4 Alger Trueman Lake* Brook Trout 300 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Alger West Branch Whitefish River* Brook Trout 6,600 Yearling 8.1 Alger West Johns Lake Brook Trout 720 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Chippewa Caribou Lake* Walleye 62,652 Spring Fingerling 1.3 Chippewa Dukes Lake* Rainbow Trout 400 Adult 11.2 Chippewa Dukes Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,250 Yearling 6.2 Chippewa Frenchman Lake* Walleye 13,350 Spring Fingerling 1.3 Chippewa High Banks Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,620 Yearling 6.2 Chippewa Lake Huron (Detour)* Lake Trout 101,080 Yearling 5.3 Chippewa Lake Superior (Brimley Bay) Walleye 99,943 Spring Fingerling 2.0 Chippewa Naomikong Lake Brook Trout 400 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Chippewa Naomikong Pound Brook Trout 400 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Chippewa Roxbury Pond East Black Crappie 150 Fall Fingerling 5.3 I S S U E 5 P A G E 13

Avg. Length County Waterbody Species Number Age (inches) Chippewa St Marys River (Sugar Island)* Brown Trout 55 Adult 14.6 Chippewa St. Marys River (Sugar Island)* Brown Trout 220 Adult 15.1 Chippewa St. Marys River (Sugar Island)* Lake Trout 20 Adult 27.4 Chippewa St. Marys River* Atlantic Salmon 78,451 Yearling 7.2 Chippewa St. Marys River* Rainbow Trout 1,500 Adult 11.2 Chippewa St. Marys River* Rainbow Trout (MI) 22,000 Yearling 8.6 Chippewa St. Marys River* Walleye 360,218 Spring Fingerling 1.9 Luce Belle Lake 1 Splake 3,000 Yearling 8.1 Luce Brockies Pond Brook Trout 300 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Luce Bullhead Lake Brook Trout 220 Yearling 8.4 Luce Camp Eight Lake Rainbow Trout (EL) 2,640 Adult 6.6 Luce Dillingham Lake Brook Trout 330 Yearling 8.4 Luce Holland Lake Brook Trout 350 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Luce Moon Lake Brook Trout 1,000 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Luce Muskallonge Lake Walleye 15,392 Spring Fingerling 2.0 Luce North Manistique (Round) Lake* Muskellunge 1,700 Fall Fingerling 9.6 Luce Peanut Lake Brown Trout 700 Yearling 5.6 Luce Perch Lake Splake 3,500 Yearling 8.1 Luce Pratt Lake Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,500 Adult 6.6 Luce Pretty Lake Splake 1,000 Yearling 8.1 Luce Pretty Lake Walleye 816 Spring Fingerling 1.8 Luce Silver Creek Pond Brook Trout 1,000 Spring Fingerling 2.2 Luce Spring Creek Trout Pond* Brook Trout 600 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Luce Syphon Lake Brook Trout 350 Spring Fingerling 2.2 Luce Tahquamenon River (Falls) Brown Trout 4,000 Yearling 5.6 Luce Tank Lake Splake 2,000 Yearling 8.1 Luce Teaspoon Creek Brook Trout 220 Yearling 7.8 Luce Two Hearted River Rainbow Trout (MI) 9,900 Yearling 8.2 Luce Ward Lake Brook Trout 45 Adult 11.6 Luce Ward Lake Brook Trout 50 Adult 14.7 Luce Ward Lake Brook Trout 350 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Luce West Branch Teaspoon Creek Brook Trout 300 Yearling 7.8 Luce Wolverine Lake Rainbow Trout (MI) 350 Yearling 7.9 Luce Youngs Lake Brook Trout 45 Adult 11.6 Luce Youngs Lake Brook Trout 50 Adult 14.7 Luce Youngs Lake Brook Trout 575 Spring Fingerling 2.2 Mackinac Brevoort River* Rainbow Trout (MI) 8,800 Yearling 8.6 Mackinac Carp River* Brown Trout 8,500 Yearling 5.1 Mackinac Carp River* Brown Trout 1,500 Yearling 5.4 Mackinac Carp River* Rainbow Trout (MI) 10,200 Yearling 8.0 Mackinac Castle Rock Pond* Brook Trout 1,372 Adult 9.1 Mackinac Castle Rock Pond* Rainbow Trout 125 Adult 11.2 Mackinac Castle Rock Pond* Rainbow Trout (EL) 600 Yearling 6.2 I S S U E 5 P A G E 14 Avg. Length County Waterbody Species Number Age (inches) Mackinac Lake Huron (Hessel)* Splake 30,000 Yearling 7.9 Mackinac Millecoquins Pond* Brook Trout 600 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Mackinac Nunns Creek* Chinook Salmon 249,934 Spring Fingerling 3.8 Mackinac Twin Lakes* Walleye 10,012 Spring Fingerling 1.3 Marquette Bass Lake (West)* Rainbow Trout (EL) 3,100 Yearling 6.6 Marquette Big Trout Lake Rainbow Trout (MI) 700 Yearling 8.1 Marquette Brocky Lake* Brown Trout 1,800 Yearling 5.3 Marquette Brocky Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 3,600 Yearling 6.6 Marquette Bryan Creek* Brook Trout 1,000 Yearling 8.3 Marquette Bush Lake* Fathead Minnow 280,000 Adult 3.1 Marquette Bush Lake* Rainbow Trout 1,000 Fall Fingerling 7.6 Marquette Bush Lake* Rainbow Trout 1,000 Yearling 7.6 Marquette Clear Lake* Brook Trout 1,342 Yearling 8.3 Marquette Cranberry Lake* Brook Trout 225 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Marquette Escanaba River (Gwinn)* Brook Trout 10,465 Yearling 8.1 Marquette Escanaba River* Brown Trout 28,700 Yearling 5.2 Marquette Fish Lake* Walleye 5,100 Spring Fingerling 2.1 Marquette Goose Lake* Walleye 26,000 Spring Fingerling 2.1 Marquette Island Lake* Brook Trout 950 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Marquette Little Shag Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 3,600 Yearling 6.6 Marquette Mehl Lake* Walleye 2,730 Spring Fingerling 2.1 Marquette Moccasin Lake* Brook Trout 450 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Marquette Perch Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,000 Yearling 6.8 Marquette Silver Lake Brook Trout 800 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Marquette South Kidney Lake* Brook Trout 200 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Marquette Sporley Lake Brown Trout 2,000 Yearling 5.3 Marquette Sporley Lake Lake Trout 150 Adult 14.4 Marquette Sporley Lake Splake 2,000 Yearling 7.9 Marquette Squaw Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 6,900 Yearling 6.8 Marquette Strawberry Lake Brook Trout 750 Yearling 8.3 Marquette Swanzy Lake* Brook Trout 610 Yearling 8.2 Marquette Twin Lake* Splake 420 Yearling 7.9 Marquette Warner Creek Brook Trout 310 Yearling 8.4 Schoolcraft Banana Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 800 Yearling 6.2 Schoolcraft Bear (19) Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 1,300 Yearling 6.2 Schoolcraft Big Spring* Lake Trout 238 Adult 29.8 Schoolcraft Driggs River* Brook Trout 4,900 Yearling 8.2 Schoolcraft Indian Lake* Walleye 11,600 Spring Fingerling 2.3 Schoolcraft Indian River* Brown Trout 3,500 Yearling 5.1 Schoolcraft King's Pond* Brook Trout 600 Fall Fingerling 6.2 Schoolcraft Lost Lake* Brook Trout 560 Yearling 8.4 Schoolcraft Manistique Quarry Lake* Hybrid Sunfish 1,579 Adult 5.3 Schoolcraft Manistique Quarry Lake* Rainbow Trout (EL) 250 Yearling 6.2 I S S U E 5 P A G E 15

Avg. Length County Waterbody Species Number Age (inches) Schoolcraft Manistique River (city)* Brown Trout 9,500 Yearling 5..20 Schoolcraft Manistique River (city)* Chinook Salmon 30,233 Spring Fingerling 3.4 Schoolcraft Manistique River (city)* Coho Salmon 30,000 Yearling 5.9 Schoolcraft Manistique River (city)* Rainbow Trout (MI) 38,800 Yearling 8.2 Schoolcraft Middle Branch Stutts Creek* Brook Trout 810 Yearling 8.2 Schoolcraft North Branch Stutts Creek* Brook Trout 1,020 Yearling 8.2 Schoolcraft Sawaski's Pond* Brook Trout 250 Yearling 8.4 Schoolcraft Twilight Lake* Brook Trout 1,200 Yearling 8.2 * Waters outside of Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit. This list of stocked waters incorporates State, Federal, Tribal, and private stocking events.