individuals harvesting a walleye pond for stockingThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the totals from its spring and summer fish stocking efforts. The DNR stocked a total of 25,470,199 fish that weighed more than 320 tons and consisted of 11 different species and one hybrid.

To complete this task, it took more than 380 stocking trips to nearly 760 stocking sites, more than 103,000 miles traveled over the course of 3,052 hours using 19 specialized stocking trucks.

“We had excellent spring and summer stocking seasons that will bring significant benefits and fishing opportunities to Michigan anglers,” said Ed Eisch, DNR fish production manager. “With the hard work and dedication of our staff, fish were reared and delivered to stocking sites in excellent condition. The numbers produced and stocked were right on target for most areas.” Read more

The public again this year is invited to purchase surplus salmon that has been harvested at Michigan Department of Natural Resources weirs located in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Seasonal salmon runs include large numbers of fish returning to their native streams to spawn and die. The DNR maintains multiple sites (weirs) where fisheries biologists and technicians collect eggs and milt (sperm) from Chinook and coho salmon for use in state fish hatcheries. Once egg-take needs are met, fish in prime physical condition are made available to the public by American-Canadian Fisheries, a private vendor which assists the DNR with the salmon harvest.

ACF harvests the salmon for human and pet-food markets, as well as excess eggs for bait and caviar markets. ACF pays the DNR a flat per-pound rate for the salmon and eggs collected. They then make suitable-quality fish available wholesale to distributors who market the fish. All of this year’s distributors are located in the northern Lower Peninsula. Read more

R/V Tanner in motion on Lake Huron

This month the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is conducting its 47th annual survey of the Saginaw Bay fish community. The survey, now under way, includes both trawling and gillnetting and will determine the abundance and health of fish populations in the bay.

“The timing of late summer or early fall allows us to assess how much reproduction has taken place for the year, as well as the overall abundance of older age groups,” said Dave Fielder, DNR fisheries research biologist. “The use of the same methods each year allows us to detect population changes in each species.” Read more

“We looked at our customer base, and identified a void in the market that the Compass is targeted to fill,” said Doug Skidmore, President of Hobie. “Consumers are looking for a capable and affordable boat, which our engineers have designed. The Compass is a feature-rich platform that delivers the performance Hobie customers expect without compromise.”Powered by Hobie’s innovative MirageDrive® pedal system with Glide Technology and constructed with a durable rotomolded polyethylene hull, the Compass offers maximum stability and speed for both the angler and the adventure seeker alike. Featuring a wide cockpit and deck area for standing, the Compass comes readily equipped to accept an extensive array of accessories for the avid fisherman. Standard equipment on the Compass includes underneath tackle storage room, a removable, breathable mesh-back seat, two rod holders, and transducer cavity ready to install a Lowrance Ready® fishfinder.

In cooperation with several partners, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Tuesday announced that 193 lake sturgeon were stocked in the Tittabawassee River (Midland County) Monday, Aug. 21, at the Gordonville Road launch ramp southeast of Midland.

The DNR’s Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Strategy identified the Saginaw River watershed, including the Tittabawassee River, as a system whose lake sturgeon population is in dire need of improvement. This stocking event was the first reintroduction of this species in the Saginaw River watershed and is the culmination of much work aimed to rehabilitate this iconic species in waters in which they once flourished. Read more

FLIPPIN, Ark. – For 50 years, Ranger has led the way for tournament fishing design and innovation. That legacy continues with the latest extension of the esteemed Z500 Comanche line. This tournament-proven line of boats now includes the L Series with the all-new Z520L Comanche and Z521L Comanche and is built upon a celebrated hull design that delivers unmatched quality and fishability. The boats are packed with fresh features and sport new style lines and trade dress to create the unmatched fit and finish Ranger owners have come to expect.

“Ranger consistently strives to improve, but on many levels, I didn’t think that was possible with the current Z boat,” said Hank Parker, legendary television host and tournament angler. “But the new L Series, from the console and style lines to the new seats and LED lighting, has unquestionably raised the bar. This is the absolute Cadillac of tournament fishing rigs.” Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership and Sturgeon For Tomorrow will host sturgeon hatchery tours at the Black River facility northwest of Onaway Saturday, Aug. 19. Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tours are free of charge. The hatchery is located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. From M-68 2 miles west of Onaway, take Black River Road (F-05) north to Twin School Road, then west a little over 3 miles to the hatchery, which is on the north side of the road just before the dam. Read more

LANSING, Mich. – Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder announced that the Invasive Carp Challenge is now accepting proposals for innovative methods to prevent invasive (or Asian) carp from entering the Great Lakes.

“Invasive carp pose a serious and growing threat to the economy and ecology of our Great Lakes,” Snyder said. “The Invasive Carp Challenge will tap into the creativity and expertise of the entrepreneurial community to find the best ways to protect Michigan’s most prized natural resource.” Read more