Inland Seas Angler GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT A Publication of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council April 2017 http://www.great-lakes.org Vol. 28, No. 4 Lake Erie Increased Yellow Perch and Walleye Allowable Catches YPSILANTI, MI – Fishery managers Overall, the Lake Erie YELLOW PERCH from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Committee believes that yellow perch The proposed yellow perch TAC is Ontario and Pennsylvania—the five populations are stable, though stock the result of deliberations among the jurisdictions that manage the Lake status varies by basin and, thus, the jurisdictions and with stakeholders Erie fishery—agreed to a total TAC varies across management units. through the LEPMAG process. Based allowable catch (TAC) of 10.375 In contrast, walleye populations are on science and those deliberations, million pounds of yellow perch and managed as a single stock and are the Lake Erie Committee 5.924 million walleye for 2017. increasing lakewide. These conditions recommended a 2017 TAC of 10.375 (Yellow perch are allocated in pounds support the recommended increases to million pounds of yellow perch, a and walleye are allocated by number the yellow perch and walleye TACs. 13% increase from last year’s of fish.) These TAC The individual provincial and state allocation of 9.208 million pounds. recommendations represent a 13% governments adhere to and implement The five jurisdictions on the lake increase for yellow perch and a 20% the TAC recommendations consistent share Lake Erie’s yellow perch under increase for walleye. Specific with their respective regulations and an area-based formula. Pursuant to allocations of both species are management objectives. the 2017 TAC recommendation, presented below by jurisdiction. The Lake Erie Committee Ontario will receive 4.868 million The Lake Erie Committee’s TAC operates by consensus and relies on pounds, Ohio 4.525 million pounds, recommendations are produced after biological assessments to inform their Michigan 0.279 million pounds, New extensive, lakewide biological TAC recommendations. The Lake York 0.093 million pounds, and assessments, analyses, discussions, Erie Committee also supports the Pennsylvania 0.611 million pounds. and consultations with stakeholders. Lake Erie Percid Management The yellow perch fishery is The recommendations are consistent Advisory Group, or LEPMAG, a divided into “management units,” with the status of Lake Erie’s fish structured process that engages which generally correspond to the populations, taking into the account commercial and recreational fishers. eastern, central, and western basins of the goal of stable harvest. LEPMAG, which has existed since Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Committee 2010, reflects the committee’s interest has strived to maintain harvest in involving the fishing community in stability while still responding to In this issue… actions related to management of Lake Erie increased TACs MN boaters urged to get educated .......... 2 Lake Erie’s percid fisheries. Continued on page 8 Large trout stocked in SE Michigan ......... 2 Discovery of silver carp in St. Croix River 3 2016 ballast water management report ... 3 NMMA backs proposal for Wis sanctuary 4 Gander Mountain files for bankruptcy...... 4 Lakes Michigan/Huron Fisheries Workshops Footbridge closed at Black River Falls .... 4 NY Instructional Shooting Clinics ............ 4 This workshop will focus on the latest Oscoda (Lake Huron) May 6-7 is Ohio’s free fishing weekend ... 4 results from 2016 research and Wednesday, April 26, 6–9 p.m. IL Boat Registration ................................ 5 Mich offering $1 million for solutions ....... 5 monitoring efforts. There is no cost to American Legion Oscoda, 349 S. Saginaw Bay Walleye Clinic, May 9-10 ... 5 attend. Thursday, April 20, 2017, State St, Oscoda, MI 48750 New angling regs on Lake George smelt 5 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. South Haven Moose Register Online|Agenda Kelly Turturro New Region 3 Director ...... 5 Lodge, 1025 Wells St. South Haven, Bipartisan action on Sportsmen’s Act ...... 6 Cedarville (Lake Huron) Rapala voted most popular ..................... 6 MI 49090. Full Agenda Workshop Thursday, April 27, 6–9 p.m. Becoming an Outdoors Woman in U.P. ... 6 details: MI Sea Grant fishery- Clark Township Community Center, Record nbr of extended growth walleye .. 7 workshops/ 133 E. M-134, Cedarville, MI 49719 Women’s Guided Fishing Trips .............. 7 DNR issues final Little Presque Isle ....... 8 Register Online|Agenda Other workshops: White Lake boating access to close ........ 8 Harvey/Marquette (Lake Superior) Expanded Lk Mich lake trout harvest ..... 9 Taylor (Lake Erie/Detroit River) ODNR supports Aquatic Stewardship ..... 9 Thursday, April 20, 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 6–9 p.m. MN parks and trails need boost ............ 10 American Legion Post #200, 11800 Chocolay Township Hall, 5010 US- Angler Achievement Awards Program... 10 Michael St, Taylor, MI 48180 41, Harvey, MI 49855 National Concealed Carry Reciprocity... 10 Register Online DNR sees increase in Master Angler .... 11 Register Online Women in Nature Outdoor Skills .......... 11 2 Great Lakes Basin Report Minnesota (and all) Large trout stocked in boaters urged to get SE Michigan's Huron educated before River and Spring Mill season begins Pond Just as the “rules of the road” are The Michigan DNR recently stocked Established 1972 learned before getting behind the 3,350 adult trout in the Huron River wheel of a car, the same should be at Proud Lake Recreation Area President done before getting on a boat and (Oakland County) and Spring Mill Daniel N. Thomas, Illinois taking the helm. Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area Vice President Open U.S. Coast Guard statistics (Livingston County). Secretary indicate that *80 percent of boating The Huron River was stocked Michael D. Sanger, Wisconsin deaths occurred on boats where the with 900 brown trout and 1,650 Treasurer boat operator had never received rainbow trout, both sized 15-21”. Thomas G. Couston, Illinois boating education instruction. Before Spring Mill Pond was stocked with DIRECTORS hitting the water this summer, take a 200 brown trout and 600 rainbow Illinois – Robert Gaik boater’s education course. trout, also measuring 15-21” long. Indiana – Mike Schoonveld The National Association of State This annual stocking activity uses Michigan – Tom Hamilton Minnesota - Dave Koneczny Boating Law Administrators unneeded brown and rainbow trout New York – Thomas Marks (NASBLA) along with state, federal broodstock from Michigan’s state fish Ohio – Rick Unger and nonprofit partners are hatcheries. Every year there are Ontario – Darryl Choronzey encouraging boaters to enroll in a surplus adult trout in the hatchery Pennsylvania - Ed Kissell boating education course prior to the system, which then are stocked in Wisconsin – Robert Wincek kickoff of the 2017 boating season. special regulation areas. Position Statement The annual Spring Aboard – Huron River at Proud Lake Representing a major interest in the aquatic Take A Boating Education Course Recreation Area is closed to fishing resources of the Great Lakes states and the campaign informs and motivates October 1 through March 31. From province of Ontario, the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council is a confederation of boaters to prepare for the boating April 1 through April 28 anglers are organizations and individuals with a concern for season by providing information on limited to flies-only, catch-and- the present and future of sport fishing, our how to enroll in a boating knowledge release fishing. Youth under the age natural resources and the ecosystem in which we or skills based education course. The of 12 may keep one fish between 8 live. We encourage the wise use of our resources and a search for the truth about the issues campaign emphasizes enrollment in and 12”. Beginning April 29, all baits confronting us. courses verified as meeting the are allowed and anglers may keep up national boating knowledge or skill to five trout over 8”, but only three Inland Seas Angler standard. over 15”. GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT “We know that an educated Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Publisher boater is safer on the water,” said Recreation Area is closed to fishing Dan Thomas, 630/941-1351 Stephanie Weatherington, NASBLA March 15 through March 31. From Editor president. “With today’s wide variety April 1 through April 28 anglers are Jeanette Thomas Webmaster of courses available, there’s a course limited to artificial lures only, catch- Open for everyone’s schedule.” and-release fishing. Youth under the Boaters have multiple options age of 12 may keep one fish between Copyright 2017 by Great Lakes Basin from classroom courses offered by the 8 and 12”. Beginning April 29, all Publications, the INLAND SEAS ANGLERS-GREAT Coast Guard Auxiliary and United baits are allowed and anglers may LAKES BASIN REPORT is the newsletter of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council, a federally States Power Squadrons to online keep up to five fish over 8”, but only recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, offerings. three fish over 15”. and recognized for tax-deductible giving by the “There’s no reason to head out on See 2016-2017 Michigan Fishing federal government. the water without knowing what Guide for complete regulation details. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of GLSFC, its officers or you’re doing, and spring is the perfect staff. Reproduction of any material by paid-up time to take a course before the watercraft unsupervised. For a members is encouraged, but appropriate credit summer boating season begins,” summary of Minnesota’s regulations must be given. Reproduction by others without Weatherington said. and available courses, visit: written permission is prohibited. Minnesota requires anyone ages mndnr.gov/boatingsafety. Address Change: 12 to 17 years old, unsupervised and For more information about the Send six weeks in advance with old mailing label operating a boat over 25 horsepower Spring Aboard campaign visit to GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT, P.O.