Hamlin Lake Fisheries Management: Past, Present, and Future
Hamlin Lake Fisheries Management: Past, Present, and Future Hamlin Lake Preservation Society, 8/2/2013 Mark Tonello, MDNR Fisheries Management Biologist Hamlin Lake • Originally a natural “drowned rivermouth” lake, first dam constructed in the 1850s. • Multiple dam failures and rebuilds over the years. • Enlarged to 5,350 acres currently. Hamlin Lake dam has a head of about 12 feet. Hamlin Lake- Recurring Historical Issues • Fish stocking (first in 1897, lake trout believe it or not!). • Fish transfers over the Hamlin Lake Dam (1920s- mid 1950s). • Winter lake levels- since at least the 1940s… Survey History • First MDOC fisheries survey done in 1932. • Creel survey in winter 1935-36. • Subsequent fisheries surveys done in 1942, 1948, 1953, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1983, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2008/2009 (creel), 2010. 1932 Survey • The following -largemouth bass game species -smallmouth bass -yellow perch were found: -muskellunge -rock bass -black crappie -northern pike -walleye -pumpkinseed sunfish -bluegill 1932 Survey, cont’d. • Yellow perch abundant • Northern pike “on the decrease” • Largemouth bass more abundant than smallmouth bass • Limited number of muskies taken each year • Bluegills present, but not abundant Hamlin Lake Stocking History • Late 1930s, early 1940s MDOC stocked smallmouth and largemouth bass fingerlings, walleye fry, bluegill fingerlings, and yellow perch fingerlings. • Fish were also lifted over the Hamlin Lake Dam, including steelhead, adult walleye, adult pike, etc. until the late 1950s. • Stocking programs discontinued after 1942, because of recommendations in the 1942 MDOC Fisheries survey. • Tiger muskies stocked from 1969 until 1988. Common themes in fisheries surveys over the years: • Perch small, growth poor.
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