Staff from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, in collaboration with Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, are conducting a trapping study to determine the run size of white suckers and longnose suckers in the Boardman River. In order to complete the study, the Boardman River Weir, in Grand Traverse County, will be in operation from approximately April 11 to May 30.
Anglers are reminded that while the Boardman weir is in operation, fishing is closed from 300 feet upstream of the weir to 300 downstream of the weir, as indicated on page 54 of the 2022 Michigan Fishing Guide.
Traps will be installed both upstream and downstream of the weir to capture migrating suckers in the river. After capture, the suckers will be measured, marked with a combination of fin clips, external tags and internal tags, and released on the opposite side of the weir from which they were caught. All fish species, including steelhead, captured in the traps will be released on the opposing side of the weir (e.g., fish moving upstream will be permitted to continue up toward the Union Street Dam).
Determining the run size of white suckers and longnose suckers in the Boardman River will help fisheries managers determine movement patterns and behavior of sucker populations in the river and Grand Traverse Bay.
Anglers can assist with this research effort by following the closure rules and by reporting catches of tagged fish at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField. Angler catch information will allow researchers to make more accurate statistical estimates on the run size of these important native species.
