Walleye study on bays de Noc shine light on hatchery vs. natural reproduction

The Michigan DNR announced the results of a long-term study to determine the contributions of hatchery-reared walleyes in the Upper Peninsula's bays de Noc and what those results mean for fisheries management activities.

The bays de Noc, consisting of Little Bay de Noc (LBDN) and Big Bay de Noc (BBDN) supported historically important walleye fisheries that declined in the 1960s. Since that time, walleyes have been rehabilitated through protective regulations, improved habitat, and stocking efforts. Although natural reproduction has been detected in LBDN since as early as 1988, stocking efforts have continued in these waters to help increase walleye numbers. In 2004 the DNR began a study to estimate the contribution by both hatchery-reared and naturally reproduced walleyes in the bays de Noc.

During the course of the study, oxytetracycline (OTC) marked-spring fingerling walleyes were stocked into the bays de Noc. The use of OTC creates a mark on the fish's bones for future identification of fish origin by Fisheries Division staff. Approximately 832,000 walleyes were stocked in LBDN during 2004, 2006 and 2008 and about 1,017,000 walleyes were stocked in BBDN in 2005 and 2009. No walleyes were stocked in 2007 due to VHSv (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus) concerns. Juvenile walleyes were then collected during the fall and examined for the OTC mark which would indicate whether they came from hatchery ponds or natural reproduction.

Of the juvenile walleyes produced between 2004 - 2009, 76 % in LBDN and 62 % in BBDN were from natural reproduction. "These results indicate that natural reproduction is the main driver of walleye stocks in .

the bays, but that hatchery fish are likely contributing too," said DNR fisheries research biologist Troy Zorn

"The success of natural reproduction is highly variable from year to year, and the relatively long lifespan of walleyes (more than 20 years) gives them the capacity to spawn many times, hopefully producing several strong crops of offspring," he said. "Because natural reproduction is the main contributor to these populations and reproductive success varies considerably among years, we saw no significant difference between stocked and unstocked years in the catch rates of juvenile walleyes."

During the study, the strongest year class in LBDN occurred in 2007, when no walleyes were stocked due to VHSv. In BBDN, the stocked 2005 year class produced the highest assessment catches of juvenile walleyes. Preliminary evaluations show no relationship between walleye stocking and subsequent angler harvest in BBDN, but a positive (although weak) relationship in LBDN.

The OTC study is giving Fisheries Division managers valuable insight on the contribution of stocked fish to the walleye populations in each bay.

"The information obtained from this study contributes to the walleye management plan for LBDN. We'll use this information to discuss future management strategies with the public, and ultimately to make informed stocking decisions for hatchery-reared walleyes in northern Lake Michigan," said Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit supervisor, Jessica Mistak.

For more info on walleyes in the bays de Noc: www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_52259_63282-282188--,00.html

DNR seeks comments on Duluth area lake management plans

Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota DNR strategies for managing Duluth area lakes have until Sept. 6 to ask questions or submit comments.

�Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,� said Deserae Hendrickson, Duluth area fisheries manager. �The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake in the next five to 20 years.�

Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area.

In the Duluth area, plans for the following lakes and fish species will be reviewed:

� Fish Lake reservoir � walleye, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch; update fishery information and implementation of special walleye regulation and evaluation of walleye

natural reproduction with marked fry stocking.

� Park � walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, northern pike, yellow perch; update fishery information and walleye stocking strategies.

� Schultz � largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch; update fishery information and assessment strategies.

� Little Stone (Stump) � largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, northern pike; update fishery information and discontinue walleye stocking.

Interested parties can review current plans for lakes and streams in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information at the DNR�s Duluth area fisheries office, 5351 N. Shore Drive in Duluth. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call 218-525-0853 or email Pam Hetland at to request a copy of a plan or submit comments on a plan.

Suggestions for management of any of the other lakes and streams in the Duluth area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are due for review.

Fishing and hunting licenses go mobile
Forgot to buy your license? Then connect to the Minnesota DNR mobile licensing page to purchase select fishing and hunting licenses via your smartphone.

�This service is a convenience for people who need a license when they�re on the go,� said Steve Michaels, DNR license program director. �Not every type of license is offered but the mobile purchase site is ideal for people who have yet to purchase a fishing, small game or state stamp validation and suddenly discover that they need one.�

Customers who purchase off the mobile site won�t receive a conventional paper license. Instead, they�ll receive a text message or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers.  More than 1,100 sales of electronic licenses have been logged since the mobile site�s soft launch in late June.

�The site isn�t, as yet, full service,� Michaels said. �There are features and products in the works. Even so, mobile license purchasing is a convenience DNR has not offered before and the sales numbers show our customers are responding.�

License types available for purchase on the mobile site include short-term angling, individual angling, resident combination angling, resident individual sports, resident combination sports, small game and state stamp validations. Any license that requires a site tag such as deer or turkey is not available for mobile purchase.

Once a customer purchases and receives mobile license information by text, email or both, he or she must be able to provide the email or text information to a DNR enforcement officer upon request as proof of a valid license.  Mobile device users will automatically be identified when visiting the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense and selecting the �Purchase� button at the bottom of the page.

Minnesota residents 21 and older who never have purchased a hunting or fishing license can�t purchase a license electronically. They should initially purchase from a license agent or call DNR at 888-646-6367 and provide their driver�s license number so electronic purchasing can be enabled. 

The mobile site is for purchasing only. It is not a mobile version of the complete DNR website.  All licensing information such as seasons, dates, times, eligibility or restrictions should be reviewed before a mobile purchase is completed.  Similar to the licenses purchased via the DNR website or by phone, a 3 percent convenience fee will be added to the customer�s order total.

License dollars are the fiscal foundation of fish and wildlife management in Minnesota. License revenue is dedicated to managing 5,400 fishing lakes, thousands of miles of rivers and streams, 1,400 wildlife management areas and more than 150 field conservation officers. Buying a license means lakes are stocked and managed, fish and game laws are enforced and conservation efforts happen on the ground.

DEC wants Input on NY Great Lakes Restoration, Conservation & Development

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a draft of New York�s Great Lakes Basin: Action Agenda 2013, a five-year action plan to guide restoration, conservation, and sustainable development activities in New York�s Great Lakes region.  Stakeholder input on the draft agenda will be accepted until September 1.

�The Great Lakes Action Agenda is New York State�s only fully-integrated strategic plan for its portion of the Great Lakes basin,� said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.  �The plan is uniquely integrated with bi-national, federal, and state priorities to ensure that New York�s Great Lakes stakeholders are regionally competitive for federal funding and other opportunities to advance sustainable development and environmental restoration in our Great Lakes region.�

The Great Lakes Action Agenda was drafted in collaboration with stakeholder organizations throughout the basin, with the intention of creating an integrated planning tool to assist stakeholders in identifying, funding, and tracking goal-oriented projects in New York�s Great Lakes basin.  The Agenda will serve as a �one-stop-shop� planning resource for stakeholder organizations working to improve the state�s Great Lakes region. When finalized, the Great Lakes Action Agenda will enhance New York�s strategic approach to effectively address the highest priority actions, assist stakeholders in leveraging financial resources and human capital, and create opportunities for basinwide communication, coordination, and partnership. 

The Great Lakes Action Agenda is strategically aligned with the federal

�Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan,� which has brought more

than $50 million to New York�s Great Lakes region since 2010.  Recommendations set forth by New York�s Oceans and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation initiative, Regional Economic Development Councils, and the NYS 2100 Commission Report are also integrated into the agenda.  It is a five-year plan and will be updated on a regular basis to ensure that the state�s evolving priorities are included. 

The Action Agenda uses an ecosystem-based management approach to address environmental challenges in a holistic way that considers how people depend on and are integral parts of the Great Lakes ecosystem.  The Great Lakes Action Agenda features innovative solutions to the most critical challenges facing New York�s Great Lakes region, including contamination cleanup, water quality and conservation, restoration of fish and wildlife, waterfront revitalization and smart growth, climate change adaptation and resilience, and recreation and tourism development. 

The Action Agenda is available on DEC�s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/91881.html.  Public comments on the draft Great Lakes Action Agenda will be accepted until September 1, and may be submitted to [email protected]. 

DEC�s Great Lakes Watershed Program will continue working with stakeholders.  A series of regional workgroup meetings will be held later this year to solicit final stakeholder input, coordinate stakeholder activities, and initiate a collaborative approach to implementing the goals set forth in this agenda.