CHARLEVOIX FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION 2016 FIELD SEASON NEWSLETTER

Produced by Nathan Skop, Kris Snyder and Patrick O’Neill

The Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station (CFRS) staff and research vessels are employed to provide information, models, and advice to make possible science-based management of 's fishery resources. CFRS is responsible for MDNR Fisheries Division research needs in the basin. This annual newsletter is designed to summarize the field and lab activities completed during the past year by CFRS staff. Underwater observation and data collection methods are being used Feature Story: Charlevoix Fisheries extensively and increasingly by fisheries Research Station: Epicenter for the professionals. As you may or may not Fisheries Division Dive Team. know, Fisheries Division has implemented a scientific diving policy to govern all diving activities conducted by division personnel. The number of SCUBA divers on the team has varied

- 1 - Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter over the years and is currently at a low significant factor influencing the survival level. This is occurring at a time when of fall-spawning fish in the Great Lakes. more diving projects are being submitted than ever before. So, this feature story can Unfortunately for the divers, spawning serve as informational to most reef field work usually occurs in readers...and maybe pique the interest of November and December when the boat some employees who are certified divers ramps are covered in snow and the water and want to join. temperatures are in the 30’s. But we need to be there when the fish are, so we bundle The dive team is made up of SCUBA- up and go! certified Fisheries Division employees that want to participate on diving projects division-wide, in addition to their normal duties. After receiving supervisor approval, each diver must fill out an application documenting diving qualifications and experiences. A Dive Control Board (DCB) reviews each application and determines whether divers are qualified to participate. It should be noted that divers with little experience (fewer dives) could still be considered.

Dives are planned around the abilities of You know it’s whitefish spawning season when the least experienced diver. your suit stands by itself in the cold! Spawning Reef Study: One of the long- term dive projects has involved the study of egg deposition on shallow spawning reefs in Northern Lake Michigan using egg nets. Egg nets are a 1-foot diameter hoop with 2 feet of fine mesh net attached that are hand buried in rocky reefs. The nets are designed to catch eggs from fall- spawning fish such as lake trout and whitefish. The nets not only catch the eggs Diver burying egg bags (Elk Rapids, MI) of these species – which can be an Mussel relocation on the Grand River: indicator of spawning success – but also The Fisheries Dive Team was asked to egg predators that could impact the participate on a freshwater mussel success because they feed on these eggs. relocation project on the Grand River that Egg predators have been shown to be a was required prior to the Lyons Dam removal. The dam was nearly 160 years

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter old and no longer served any purpose. A Management Unit, and divers pre-project survey found the greatest from Charlevoix. On March 23 rd dive density of endangered Snuffbox mussels team members Kris Snyder, Nathan Skop, known anywhere in the country right and Pat O’Neill descended into 34-degree below the dam (CMU, personal water to place a blocking net and communication). The goal was to find and temporarily patch a hole in the concrete – move as many clams as possible to a safe the powerhouse was built in the early location before the dam removal was 1900’s after all! Two trips later the later allowed to continue. Many freshwater the holding facility is now secure, with mussels have recently been added to the new net-deploying rails and a hole-free endangered species list due to large enclosure. population declines from habitat loss, dam construction, pollution, and mostly from the impact of invasive species. Mussel assessments often require the services of trained divers, and the dive team has already had two requests for help with mussel projects in the summer of 2017.

Blocking net in place in March – ready for fish!

Dive team members on the banks of the Grand River To repair the hole in the concrete, dive crew members attached threaded anchors into exposed Repair Work at LSSU Aquatics Lab: wood pylons. Another recent project involved improving one of the turbine bays at the Clover Electric Hydropower plant on the St. Mary’s River. The turbine bay serves as a net pen to acclimate and increase survival of hatchery reared Atlantic salmon from the Platte River State Fish

Hatchery. This project required Heavy aluminum screen was placed over the hole significant coordination among staff from and bolted to the wall using the threaded anchors. Marquette State Fish Hatchery, Northern

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter

In the picture, Nathan Skop uses a hack saw to trim Hopefully next time we will go to him! off excess tie rod.

The rearing area, which has good water quality and plenty of room, is now ready for next year’s Atlantic salmon.

Diver Training: This fall, part of the dive team cooperated with the Nature Conservancy to become certified according to the American Academy of Dive team members taking part in Scientific Dive Underwater Sciences Standards for training Scientific Diving . This program is the ultimate in scientific diving and is the The Future: What is the future for the national standard that all dive teams strive Fisheries Division Dive Team? With the to achieve. This program provides continued requirement to document fish training in all scientific diving procedures population trends and the ever expanding and also involves advanced diver rescue need to document exotic species and how training (resulting in a recue diver they impact our native environments, the endorsement). The instruction included need for Fisheries Division to have a dive more than 12 complex open-water dives, team is essential. classroom time on physics and physiology of diving, dive planning, proper LARGE VESSEL ACTIVITIES equipment, environmental considerations, and diver emergency principals (including CPR, first aid and oxygen administration, field neurological exams, and creating accident management plans). The scientific diving portion guided us in underwater navigation, transect and grid layout, search pattern and recovery techniques, photography, lifting heavy S/V Steelhead objects, low visibility diving, data collection methods, and experimental Lake-wide Assessment Plan (LWAP): design. These courses were taught by Each spring the CFRS vessel S/V Zach Caldwell, the diving safety officer Steelhead conducts a survey of the Lake for the Nature Conservancy. He traveled Michigan fish community. The main goal all the way from Hawaii to teach us; is to determine relative abundance of lake needless to say he didn’t love the trout, Lake Whitefish, burbot, and yellow temperature of Lake Michigan in October. perch. Fish are collected from 8 locations

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter using 6-foot high, graded mesh (1.5” to of gill net was lifted. A total of 1,115 lake 6”) bottom gill nets set in depths from 30 trout were collected; out of that sample, to 150 feet. As part of a continued gear 775 fish were coded-wire tagged. Lake comparison study, half of the 8,000 feet whitefish catch totaled 587; the majority per lift is nylon and the other half is of those fish came from St. Joseph. The monofilament. The goal in two years is to yellow perch catch was down convert all gill nets to monofilament. significantly; a total of 321 perch were collected; 75% of the perch came out of nets set at Grand Haven.

Nathan Skop with a healthy Lake Michigan lake trout

Acoustic Survey: The acoustic survey was Pat O’Neill works the net box during the setting of conducted between August 8th and a gill net September 9 th at ten predetermined transects from northern Lake Michigan to The Lake Trout data collected from this St. Joseph. The goal of the survey is to survey is used in complex models that estimate prey fish distribution, abundance, allow biologists and managers to carefully and biomass. monitor changes in populations throughout the lake. These models are The results from the survey showed an also used to set harvest limits for state 80% increase in young-of-the-year recreational fishers and tribal commercial alewife biomass over 2015; however, fishers as well as evaluate regulations and alewife biomass is still only 45% of the stocking strategies. long-term average. We observed a

strong Bloater Chub year class, with In 2016, the S/V Steelhead departed from chub biomass two times the long-term Charlevoix on April 12 th en route to average and the fifth highest biomass on southern Lake Michigan to begin the record. Young rainbow smelt biomass LWAP survey. From the time the first net is still well below the long-term average, was set on April 18 th until the last net was but increased for the second consecutive lifted on June 17 th, a total of 137,000 feet

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter year. Adult rainbow smelt biomass increased for the first time since 2006. Overall biomass – including alewife, bloater chubs, and smelt – increased 35% over 2015, but was still 45% below the long-term biomass average. These increases are encouraging, but the 2017 acoustic survey will show whether they translate to adult forage fish biomass.

Jerry Ranville and Kris Snyder are amazed by the catch of young bloater.

S/V Steelhead Dry Dock: In 2016 the Steelhead went into dry dock in June/July for its five year haul-out and inspection. During this time critical parts of the vessel are inspected, repaired (if needed), upgraded, and painted. 2016 mid-water trawl resulting in a good haul of adult alewife Large vessel bottom trawling: In mid- September the S/V Steelhead conducted the annual bottom trawl survey, primarily to assess yellow perch populations. The primary yellow perch ports are South

Haven, Grand Haven, and Pentwater. During the 2016 trawl survey, zero perch were collected. There are a number of reasons no perch were collected, but the one factor that stood out was the abundance of warm water in the collection zones. However, an abundance of young- of-the-year Bloater Chubs resulted in a catch of 62,017 chubs over the course of the survey. This was the largest catch of bloater chubs ever observed on the S/V Steelhead crew painting from the water line up Steelhead . For more information regarding the work performed aboard the S/V Steelhead or any

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter other MDNR research vessel, please click were from sport fisheries (80%) and index on the buttons below. (netting) samples (13%). The total number of fish processed in 2015 was similar to Click Here for 2016 Vessel the number processed in 2014, and above Program Newsletter the average for the period 1990–2014.

Click Here for Vessel DNR staff asks for your continued support Program Fact Sheet in the collection of trout and salmon head samples from tagged fish. CWT head drop sites and data results are available at the CODED WIRE TAG PROGRAM MDNR internet site For example, The objectives of the statewide fish additional information concerning returns marking program are to coded-wire tag of tagged fish to specific Great Lakes and adipose fin clip experimental lots of ports can be found at fish at state fish hatcheries; to design, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7- develop, and manage databases for 153- research studies that use coded-wire tags 10364_52259_10949_11238_113591716 and other identifying marks; and to 48--,00.html . Additional general coordinate activities conducted in information concerning the Fisheries Michigan related to the Great Lakes-wide Division fish marking program can be Mass Marking initiative (a USFWS found at program to assist states in marking of http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7- hatchery-produced trout and salmon for 153-10364_52259_48361--,00.html . Great Lakes stocking). Readers may also click on the button below for more information. In 2016, approximately 1,105,000 Chinook Salmon, 66,000 Rainbow Trout, Coded Wire Tag Program 160,000 Atlantic Salmon, and 590 Lake Sturgeon were marked with a coded-wire tag (CWT) and adipose fin clip. The total CHARTER BOAT SURVEY number of fish marked in 2016 was The objective of the state-wide Charter similar to the number marked in 2015. In Boat Program is to obtain a continuous addition, a total of 7,165 CWT fish annual record of charter boat fishing collected in 2015 were processed at the effort, harvest, and harvest rate of the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station. major sport fish in the Michigan waters of Lake trout (N=3,662) were the species the Great Lakes. with the highest number of CWTs recovered and processed, followed by Charter businesses operated an average of Chinook salmon (3,115) and Rainbow 630 fishing boats in 2016; the charter Trout (348). Overall, most tag collections captains reported a similar number of fishing trips as in 2015. While number of - 7 -

Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter charters did not decrease, the number of charters per lake did change. Charters on SMALL VESSEL ACTIVITIES Lake Michigan decreased approximately 1,000 trips in comparison to 2015, Lake Huron and the St. Clair System each increased by approximately 400 trips, and Lake Superior was comparable to 2015. The number of hours fished tended to go up however, suggesting charters trips were slightly longer in 2016 than in 2015.

Lake trout was the most prevalent fish harvested (55,600) making up 31% of the R/V Pimephales larval sampling total fish harvest. Walleye and yellow perch harvest increased in 2016, making Larval (Neuston) Sampling: To up 21% (37,000 fish) and 23% (40,400 characterize hatching and early survival of fish) of the total harvest respectively. In whitefish and herring, larval fish sampling contrast, Chinook salmon harvest was conducted in East Grand Traverse continued to decline (22,400 fish). Bay near Elk Rapids. However, with staff being committed elsewhere, only a 2016 Excursions by condensed sampling effort was possible in Lake - Total 17,367 2016.

Small Boat Bottom Trawl: The bottom 616 987 trawl survey is used to collect important 1,819 ER near shore fish community information,

2,154 HU with a primary focus on yellow perch recruitment. CFRS crews were able to MI sample at three ports (Charlevoix, South Haven and Grand Haven) in late summer 11,791 SC system 2016; unfortunately, Pentwater was not SU able to be sampled due to the lack of available staff. Young-of-year yellow perch catch was way down, probably due Detailed charter fishing results from to warmer-than-average water previous years and information on what temperatures in nearshore areas. Overall, you need to do to register as a charter Lake Michigan survey crews saw a captain is available at the following site: decline in both adult and young-of-the- year yellow perch catch in 2016. Charter Boat Survey Program

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter

Elk Lake Lake Trout Study: Last year’s ramped-up tagging effort is beginning to produce results. It was determined the preferred Lake Trout temperature was cooler for Elk Lake trout as compared to Lake Michigan trout. The preferred depth was not different, implying they could overlap the same depth ranges. If these fish were in the same system, however we would anticipate the Elk Lake fish would prefer a deeper/cooler location. This may OTHER ACTIVITES be due to the available forage and/or Weir Harvest: Every year CFRS staff oxygen levels. Introduction of Elk Lake- assist in the harvest, bio-sampling, and strain trout into northern Lake Michigan evaluation of salmonid returns to weirs in could have potential benefits to Michigan’s waters of the Great Lakes. commercial fisheries, recreational anglers, The objective is to collect information that and native species restoration, and we plan can be used to successfully manage the to continue to investigate this unique salmonid sport fishery. population of trout.

Overall, the weirs located in Michigan had Fall Spawning Studies: So you say you’d an increase in Chinook salmon harvest like to study fall native fish spawning? from 2015. However that’s not saying You better bundle up, because fall much since 2015 saw some of the worst spawning can slide right into winter at a returns of salmon to Michigan weirs. moment’s notice. Besides documenting Lake Michigan returns increased by three which fish are using the Northern Lake times in 2016, bringing the total harvest to Michigan reefs and how successful they 3,800. Chinook salmon harvest at the are, we’ve also been able to study the Swan River (the only Lake Huron weir) effectiveness of a revitalized reef and increased by a third, to 2,400 fish. evaluate new experimental gear for sampling these important spawning areas. It should be noted that there was a significant late season increase in growth for “jack” salmon – this was observed in most weir collections in 2016. The increase in growth of these young salmon could be due to improved foraging conditions in Lake Michigan in fall 2016 – that’s a positive if you like salmon fishing! Swimming anyone?

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter

Beaver Island Smallmouth Bass Study: at each location (Sleeping Bear Bay, Platte Since 2006, CFRS staff have assisted the Bay, Leland, Elk Rapids, and Charlevoix), Central Lake Michigan Management unit suggesting reproduction was successful, and CMU in conducting a smallmouth but not a lot of juveniles were produced. bass population and movement study in Efforts by the TCU and CFRS staff are the waters around the Beaver Island part of a larger partnership as more than Archipelago, Waugoshance Point, and 10 agencies participate in this survey, . Some interesting visiting sites throughout the Upper Great recent results show that smallmouth bass Lakes. Over time, we hope to build a living in the northeast portion of Lake dataset that will allow us to predict how Michigan continue to flourish, despite the many Lake Whitefish will be available for ever-changing ecosystem and expanding the commercial fishery in the future based population of exotic gobies and rusty on catches of age-0 juveniles. crayfish. Assessment catches of Smallmouth Bass at Beaver Island Walloon Lake Walleye Survey: In the Archipelago sites remain similar to 1970’s spring of 2016 staff from the TCU and levels before the establishment of large CFRS collaborated with the Little populations of Double Crested Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Cormorants in this area. Average conducting a mark-recapture survey of population size of adult Smallmouth Bass walleye in Walloon Lake. Survey crews at the Garden Harbor index site has utilized trap nets and electrofishing gear to fluctuated between 700 and 300 fish, and mark 709 walleyes, which resulted in a has exceeded the target goal of 600 adult population estimate of 5,020 adult Smallmouth Bass in most recent years. walleyes (1.1 per acre). Sampling at Waugoshance Point and in Grand Traverse Bay show good populations of Smallmouth Bass present in these areas as well.

Lake Whitefish Seine Survey: Each June staff from the Tribal Coordination Unit (TCU) and CFRS visit areas adjacent to Lake Whitefish spawning locations seeking to capture age-0 juvenile fish to confirm that reproduction was successful in the present year. This is a low-cost survey since it doesn’t require a vessel to complete, only a 150-foot seine net that is deployed from shore. In 2016, a low number of Lake Whitefish were captured

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Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 2016 Newsletter

CHARLEVOIX FRS STAFF: Dave Caroffino, Tribal Unit Biologist David Clapp, Research Station Manager Randy Claramunt, Research Biologist John Clevenger, Fisheries Technician Patrick Hanchin, Tribal Unit Manager Marty Holtgren, Tribal Unit Biologist Jory Jonas, Research Biologist Kendra Kozlauskos, Fisheries Assistant Patrick O’Neill, Fisheries Technician Rebecca Parker, State Worker Jerry Ranville, Boat Captain Nathan Skop, Assistant Boat Captain Kris Snyder, Fisheries Technician Jeff Stevens, Trades Helper Cathy Sullivan, Station Administration Donna Wesander, Fisheries Technician Specialist [Vacant], Fisheries Assistant (Vessel)

Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station 96 Grant Street Charlevoix, MI 49720 231-547-2914 (PHONE) 231-547-6031 (FAX) [email protected] (EMAIL)

Click He re for Charlevoix

Fisheries Research Station webpage

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