Hanchin, P. A. 2017. the Fish Community and Fishery of Elk and Skegemog Lakes, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse Counties, Michigan in 2008-09

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hanchin, P. A. 2017. the Fish Community and Fishery of Elk and Skegemog Lakes, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse Counties, Michigan in 2008-09 ATUR F N AL O R T E N S E O U M R T C R E A STATE OF MICHIGAN S P E DNR D MI N DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHIGA FR19 February 2017 The Fish Community and Fishery of Elk and Skegemog Lakes, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse counties, Michigan in 2008-09 Patrick A. Hanchin www.michigan.gov/dnr/ FISHERIES DIVISION FISHERIES REPORT 19 Suggested Citation Format Hanchin, P. A. 2017. The fish community and fishery of Elk and Skegemog lakes, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse counties, Michigan in 2008-09. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Report 19, Lansing. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) MISSION STATEMENT “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.” NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (NRC) STATEMENT The Natural Resources Commission, as the governing body for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, provides a strategic framework for the DNR to effectively manage your resources. The NRC holds monthly, public meetings throughout Michigan, working closely with its constituencies in establishing and improving natural resources management policy. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to Michigan’s natural resources. Both State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended (MI PA 453 and MI PA 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information, please write: HUMAN RESOURCES or MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS or OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CADILLAC PLACE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PO BOX 30028 3054 W. GRAND BLVD., SUITE 3-600 4040 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE LANSING MI 48909-7528 DETROIT MI 48202 ARLINGTON VA 22203 For information or assistance on this publication, contact: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ATUR F N AL O R Fisheries Division T E N S E O PO BOX 30446 U M R T C LANSING, MI 48909 R E A S P 517-373-1280 E DNR D TTY/TDD: 711 (Michigan Relay Center) M ICHIGAN This information is available in alternative formats. Table of Contents Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 Study Area ...............................................................................................................................1 Methods ...................................................................................................................................7 Fish Community Composition .............................................................................................................7 Size Structure and Sex Ratio ..............................................................................................................8 Abundance ..........................................................................................................................................8 Growth ...........................................................................................................................................11 Angler Survey ....................................................................................................................................12 Field methods ................................................................................................................................12 Estimation methods .......................................................................................................................15 Mortality .........................................................................................................................................16 Recruitment ....................................................................................................................................17 Movement ......................................................................................................................................17 Results...................................................................................................................................18 Fish Community Composition ...........................................................................................................18 Size Structure and Sex Ratio ............................................................................................................19 Abundance ........................................................................................................................................19 Growth and maturity .......................................................................................................................24 Angler Survey ....................................................................................................................................27 Open-water period .........................................................................................................................27 Ice-cover period .............................................................................................................................27 Annual period .................................................................................................................................30 Mortality .........................................................................................................................................30 Recruitment ....................................................................................................................................36 Movement ......................................................................................................................................36 Discussion .............................................................................................................................37 Fish Community Composition ...........................................................................................................37 Size structure, growth, and maturity ..............................................................................................38 Abundance .....................................................................................................................................39 Angler Survey ....................................................................................................................................41 Summary ........................................................................................................................................41 Historical comparisons ...................................................................................................................41 Comparison to other large lakes ....................................................................................................43 Mortality .........................................................................................................................................47 Recruitment ....................................................................................................................................48 Movement ......................................................................................................................................49 Summary and Management Recommendations ...................................................................49 Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................51 References ............................................................................................................................51 i ii Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Report 19, 2017 The Fish Community and Fishery of Elk and Skegemog Lakes, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse Counties, Michigan in 2008-09 Patrick A. Hanchin Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station, 96 Grant Street, Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 Introduction From April 2008 through March 2009, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division surveyed fish populations and angler catch and effort in Elk and Skegemog lakes, the two lower lakes in the Antrim Chain of Lakes occurring in Antrim, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse counties, Michigan. This work was part of the Large Lakes Program, which is the assessment and monitoring program for fish communities and fisheries in Michigan’s largest inland lakes (Clark et al. 2004). The Large Lakes Program has three primary objectives: (1) to produce indices of abundance and estimates of annual harvest and fishing effort for four target species—Walleye Sander vitreus, Northern Pike Esox lucius, Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu, and Muskellunge Esox masquinongy; (2) to produce growth and mortality statistics to evaluate the effects of fishing on these species; and (3) to evaluate the suitability of various abundance and exploitation rate estimators for use in large lakes. For this report, I quantified abundance, growth, mortality, size structure, angler effort, and
Recommended publications
  • Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association May 2021 Newsletter
    MAY 2021 NEWSLETTER Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association May 2021 Newsletter President’s Message CONTENTS President’s Message 1 more about this exciting pro- Drone Survey 2-3 gram, as well as much more, 4- inside. Help Wanted For those who prefer a digi- Water Quality 5 tal copy of this newsletter, it Clean Boats 6 is also available on the web- The Hex Mayfly 7-8 site. We thank Kate Lett, our ESLA Endowment 9 newest Board member, and Green Blue Algae 10 Rick Kiehle of Garrison Dig- 11 ital Solutions for their work Events and more to keep the website up to Lakeshore Buffer 12 date during these trying Golden Brn Algae 13-14 times and allow the site to be Amazon Smile 14 a primary tool to communi- cate with all riparians. Please President Bob Campbell for check the website for details his diligence and energy this Mary Beth Kazanski on our “Its a Shore Thing” year. lecture series and our annual As always we invite those ESLA President meeting (June 25). who have received this And if all of this wasn’t ex- newsletter but are not yet Spring is always such a wonder- citing enough, we now have members to join us in our ful time and for many of us the a Facebook page! You can efforts by clicking on the hope it brings is even greater this access it by searching on Fa- button found on the website. year. Covid vaccines have been cebook or clicking the button We have kept our member- developed and are being distrib- on our website.
    [Show full text]
  • Chain of Lakes Water Trail Plan
    Chain of Lakes Water Trail Plan This water trail plan was approved by the Paddle Antrim Board of Directors on December 15, 2016. It was last updated January 19, 2017. Board of Directors Matthew Drake, President Mark Irwin, Vice President Patti Savant, Treasurer Mary Faculak, Secretary Megan Olds, Director At Large Tom Shelder, Director At Large Melissa Zelenak, Director At Large Staff Deana Jerdee, Executive Director Acknowledgements Paddle Antrim wants to especially thank Megan Olds (Parallel Solutions) and Deana Jerdee for their significant contributions in writing the plan. We also want to thank Elk Rapids Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team (ERCOL-WPIT), Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Land Information Access Association, and Tipp of the Mitt Watershed Council for their contributions to the development of this plan. Paddle Antrim also thanks the jurisdictions who have approved sites for inclusion on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail: Antrim County, Banks Township, Village of Bellaire, Clearwater Township, Central Lake Township, Village of Central Lake, Village of Elk Rapids, Village of Ellsworth, Forest Home Township, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Grass River Natural Area, Inc., Helena Township, Kearney Township, Little Traverse Conservancy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Milton Township. Paddle Antrim also wants to thank Art Zelenak (cover photo and Grass River), and Emily Sullivan/Shorts Brewing Company (Ellsworth River Park) for use of their photos. Chain of Lakes Water Trail Plan 1 01/2017 Introduction A water trail is a designated route along a river, lake, canal or bay designed for people using small, non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes.
    [Show full text]
  • Antrim County Operator of Dams P.O
    Antrim County Operator of Dams P.O. Box 217, Bellaire, MI 49615 Mr. Ed Boetcher Chair, Antrim County Board of Commissioners Bellaire, Michigan March 6, 2019 Dear Commissioner Boetcher, Please accept the following Annual Report of the Drain Commissioner and Operator of Dams for 2018. Annual Report of the Antrim County Operator of Dams for 2018 a) Elk Rapids Hydroelectric Facility The County share of electrical generation revenues in 2018 was $19,357 (10% of total sales of $193,357), a slight decrease from $21,138 in 2017, due to less annual precipitation that results in a lower total volume of water flowing through the dam over the course of the year. Interestingly, the highest rate of generation at the Hydro since the Stockhausens began operating the dam in 2007 occurred in the spring of 2017. However, a couple of months later in July, the flow had dropped so dramatically that they had to shut down the generators for several days in order to maintain the court ordered lake level on Elk Lake—also the first time that happened since 2007. So, we experienced extremes of high flow and low flow in the same year—a direct result of the extremes we are currently experiencing in our weather. Following the 2017 renovation of the interior, in early spring of 2018 the County replaced all the exterior glass of the hydro building. The project cost about $10,000 and dramatically improved the quality of natural lighting inside the structure. Much of the old caulking was severely compromised and panes were leaking water during rainstorms, and many of the panes were actually old Plexiglas and severely discolored.
    [Show full text]
  • Elk-Skegemog Lakes Profile
    2011 Report What would Michigan be without water ? One might to protect lakes throughout Northern Michigan. Projects as well ask what the Sahara would be without sand or the carried out on these lakes have ranged from lake-wide Himalayas without mountains. Michigan is defined by water aquatic plant surveys to individual shoreline property and, in fact, the definition of Michigan in some Native restoration projects. Details about recent projects involving American languages literally means water, “big lake” to Elk and Skegemog Lakes are included in this report. be precise. We hope you find the information presented in this report Water formed Michigan, frozen water that is, thousands of both interesting and insightful. If you have any questions, feet thick. A series of glaciers advanced and retreated comments, or concerns, please contact Tip of the Mitt across Michigan over the course of millions of years, creating Watershed Council at (231) 347-1181 or visit our website at the present-day landscape of rolling hills and broad plains; www.watershedcouncil.org. dotted with lakes, crisscrossed with rivers, and surrounded by freshwater seas. Glacial scouring and huge ice chunks that were left behind formed thousands of lakes across the landscape, lakes of all shapes and sizes, each unique: each beautiful and special in its own way. Many people live in or travel through Northern Michigan because of these lakes and the characte r they lend to the region. Elk and Skegemog Lakes are among the most picturesque lakes in Michigan, true aquatic treasures that are experienced and enjoyed by thousands upon thousands of people every year; year after year and generation after generation.
    [Show full text]
  • July 2008 Newsletter Since the Proper DEQ Permits Reportedly Had Not Been Obtained
    July 2008 Newsletter since the proper DEQ permits reportedly had not been obtained. Shoreline alterations up to the highwater mark, such as rip-rap, sea walls, dredging, building permanent shoreline structures, filling wetlands, and building boat ramps all require permits from the DEQ. Other changes to the surface soil which could affect erosion and are within 500 feet of the lakeshore also require DEQ approval--typically these Dean W. Ginther, President, ESLA Part 91 permits are issued by the County Soil Conservation District. Although President’s Message there are substantial fines for not following these regulations, once the I recently received a call from an ESLA damage is done, it is often difficult to member living on the south end of Elk restore. Lake. A new house was being built near his property. Reportedly, the shoreline So what would be more appropriate had been essentially clear-cut, removing shoreline property management practices virtually all of the existing mature trees for new or existing riparians? According along with other shoreline undergrowth. to research conducted by Viktor While this may be “legal” in some local Polyakov, Ali Fares, and Micah H. townships if there is no existing Ryder (2005) “numerous studies have shoreline buffer ordinance, it is neither shown the effectiveness of riparian necessary nor appropriate. Further, the buffers in reducing sediment, pathogens, stark appearance of this now austere and nutrient loads into surface and shoreline is aggravated if the property groundwater in agricultural catchments. owner and contractor proceed to armor Reported retention rates of sediment, N, the stripped shoreline with large and P were as high as 97%, 85%, and boulders (rip-rap) or a seawall.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishing Guide
    2012 Michigan Fishing Guide Rules apply from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 Regulations that apply to fishing for trout and salmon on inland waters are included in this guide. See pages 22-36. Visit us on the web at: www.michigan.gov/fishing The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, Table of Contents management, use and Amphibians and Reptiles ........................................................................... 12 enjoyment of the State’s Angler Harassment Information ................................................................. 19 Angler Rights On Public Streams .............................................................. 19 natural and cultural Aquatic Invasive Plants and Animals .................................................... 38-39 resources for current and Boat Registration Information .................................................................... 38 future generations. Bow and Spear Fishing Regulations ........................................................... 9 Common Terms ........................................................................................... 5 Exceptions to General Regulations by County ..................................... 16-18 The Natural Resources Fish Consumption Advisory ....................................................................... 18 Commission, as the Fishing Tournament Information ................................................................ 38 governing body for the General Hook & Line Regulations ........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Trails of Northern Michigan
    FREE JUNE 2010 northerncamper.com Trails of Northern Michigan Elk Rapids & the Chain O’ Lakes Recipes, Puzzles & More! CreatedPage by 4 Terry Stilson, Program Coordinator Muskegon River Watershed Assembly Directions: Help the Karner blue butterfly get through the maze so he can find the lupine plant. The Karner blue butterfly is a very small butterfly, around the size of a nickel, and considered threatened in Michigan. Male Karners are light blue, while females are dark blue with orange crescents on their hind wings. They can only survive where lupine plants grow because that’s the only food eaten by the caterpillars that turn into Karner blue butterflies. This butterfly can be found in only ten Michigan counties and four of them are in the Muskegon River Watershed: Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon and Newaygo Counties. Directions: Help the osprey find its nest by tracing along an unbroken line. The osprey is a large raptor (bird of prey) that has a black back and wings, and a white breast and belly. They have talons (claws) to grab fish from the water. They are considered a threatened species in Michigan. They fly south in the fall and arrive back in Michigan around April. Osprey build their nests in tall trees or manmade structures. For the last few years, ospreys have nested on a 100-foot light pole at Ferris State University. You can view them at www.ferris.edu/osprey. Help Protect Muskegon River Watershed ~ Membership Only $10! (231) 591-2324 • www.mrwa.org Great Lakes Energy People Fund • Wege Foundation • Fremont Area Community Foundation The Northern Camper l 3 ✎ Editor’s Pencil Contrary to the latest statistics, printed news hasn’t died yet.
    [Show full text]
  • Antrim County (T28-31N, R8-9W) Surveyed June and July 1997
    Michigan Department of Natural Resources Status of the Fishery Resource Report 97-*, 1997 TORCH LAKE Antrim County (T28-31N, R8-9W) Surveyed June and July 1997 David J. Borgeson Environment sandy loams (Grayling-Rubicon association), wetland sand, and dry sand Torch Lake is a deep, clear, oligitrophic lake plains. Forests in the watershed are mostly located in the northwest portion of of the beech, sugar maple, basswood type. Michigan's lower peninsula, primarily in A significant amount of land in the basin is southwestern Antrim County, with the dedicated to orchards, in addition to the southern tip of the lake bordering Kalkaska moderate acreage devoted to cropland. County. Although Torch Lake ranks second in The lake occupies a long, narrow basin surface acres (18,473 acres) among gouged out of 350 million year old limestone Michigan's lakes, in volume it is by far the and shale by the glaciers. Formerly a deep largest inland lake in Michigan. With an bay of Lake Michigan, it became an inland average depth of 140 feet and a maximum lake about 3500 years ago when water depth of 300 feet, the lake holds nearly a levels dropped and a bar and sand dunes cubic mile of water. Torch is also the formed across the narrow mouth of the bay. longest inland lake in Michigan, 18 miles long with 41 miles of shoreline. Torch Lake is located in the Elk River watershed, part of which consists of a chain With it's small immediate watershed and of 14 interconnecting lakes and rivers. The great volume the lake has excellent water main tributary to the lake is the Clam River, quality, consistently measured to be among which flows from the "upper chain of lakes".
    [Show full text]
  • Elk Rapids Waterfront Final Draft
    2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 Inventory Unit Name: Waterfront, Coastline of the Village of Elk Rapids, Michigan Property Level: Landscape General History: Elk Rapids is a community of about 1700 people on the Grand Traverse Bay in Antrim County, Michigan. It is roughly twelve miles northeast of Traverse City and is known for its outdoor recreational activities and scenery. In addition to recreation, Antrim County is also noted for its fruit farms and vineyards. In the past, Elk Rapids was a logging and industrial hub and the site of Native American settlement. 5 The waterfront area has always been the vital heart of Elk Rapids’ economy and its residents’ way of life. Elk Rapids has tied the waterfront area to the transportation, industrial and recreational needs of the community through time. With access to Grand Traverse Bay and connections to the interior via other waterways, the waterfront has been the key to village development. This area has experienced three major periods of significance, which are delineated below. · Pre European Arrival-1839 · 1846-1911 · 1953-1994 Pre European Arrival~1839: Early History The area around Elk Rapids has been home to human settlement from as far back as 8,000 B.C. The area encompassing the current village of Elk Rapids was known among native people as Kewadin, a word meaning “North.” Most native peoples in this area of Michigan are members of Ottawa, Ojibwa or Potawatomi bands. Collectively, these tribes are known as the Anishinbeck, often translated as “people of the three fires” or “first men.” They are part of the Algonquian language family and many still live here.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishing Guide
    2010 Michigan Fishing Guide Rules apply from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 Regulations that apply to fishing for trout and salmon on inland waters are included in this guide. See pages 22-36. Visit us on the Web at: www.michigan.gov/dnre The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, Table of Contents protection, management, Amphibians and Reptiles ............................................................................. 9 use and enjoyment Angler Harassment Information ................................................................. 19 Angler Rights On Public Streams .............................................................. 19 of the State’s natural Aquatic Invasive Plants and Animals .................................................... 38-39 resources for current and Boat Registration Information .................................................................... 38 future generations. Bow and Spear Fishing ............................................................................. 12 Common Terms ........................................................................................... 5 Exceptions to General Regulations by County ..................................... 16-18 Fish Consumption Advisory ......................................................................... 9 Fishing Tournament Information ................................................................ 38 General Hook and Line Regulations......................................................... 7-8
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Fishing Guide
    2021 Michigan Fishing Guide Rules apply from April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022 Get the digital guide at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests MICHIGAN FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS License Items & Fees Purchase your fshing license (and more) online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. Item Type Fee DNR Sportcard $1 All -Species Fishing Licenses Resident Annual $26* Nonresident Annual $76* Senior Annual (Residents 65 or older or Residents who are legally blind – see p. 6) $11* Daily Fish (Resident or Nonresident) $10/day Angler can buy from 1 to 6 consecutive days Voluntary Youth (16 and under) $2* Combo Hunt/Fish Licenses (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) Hunt/Fish Resident $76* Hunt/Fish Senior Resident $43* Hunt/Fish Nonresident $266* Lost Licenses Lost your license? See the gray box below for instructions on getting a replacement. Fishing license fees are waived for Michigan residents who are veterans with 100% disability or active-duty military (see p. 6). All fshing licenses are good for all species allowed for harvest as indicated in this Fishing Guide. A $1 surcharge is included in the combo hunt and fsh licenses, resident annual, nonresident annual, and senior annual fshing licenses, as noted with the asterisk (*). Revenue generated from these funds will be used to educate the public on the benefts of hunting, fshing and trapping in Michigan, and the impact of these activities on the conservation, preservation and management of the state’s natural resources in accordance with statute. Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNR. Who needs a Michigan fshing license? Any adult actively assisting a minor must have A license is required when targeting fsh, a fshing license.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology, Management, and Status of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch in Michigan
    ATUR F N AL O R T E N S E O U M R T C R E A S STATE OF MICHIGAN P E DNR D M ICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SR41 January 2007 Ecology, Management, and Status of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch in Michigan James C. Schneider, Richard P. O’Neal and Richard D. Clark, Jr. Walleye Sander vitreus Sauger Sander canadensis Yellow Perch Perca flavescens www.michigan.gov/dnr/ FISHERIES DIVISION SPECIAL REPORT 41 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FISHERIES DIVISION Fisheries Special Report 41 January 2007 Ecology, Management, and Status of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch in Michigan James C. Schneider, Richard P. O’Neal, and Richard D. Clark, Jr. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) MISSION STATEMENT “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the State’s natural resources for current and future generations.” NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (NRC) STATEMENT The Natural Resources Commission, as the governing body for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, provides a strategic framework for the DNR to effectively manage your resources. The NRC holds monthly, public meetings throughout Michigan, working closely with its constituencies in establishing and improving natural resources management policy. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to Michigan’s natural resources. Both State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended (MI PA 453 and MI PA 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act).
    [Show full text]