More than 2,000 pounds of live, illegal red swamp crayfish recently were seized by Department of Natural Resources conservation officers – the largest aquatic invasive species seizure by the Michigan DNR.

Red swamp crayfish are prohibited in both Michigan and Canada. They burrow and create shoreline erosion, creating instability. Additionally, they compete with native crayfish, reducing the amount of food and habitat available for amphibians, invertebrates and juvenile fish.

Conservation officers in St. Clair County were notified Friday, July 13, by U.S. Customs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when a commercial hauler transporting red swamp crayfish was denied entry into Canada and would be returning to Michigan. The commercial hauler was stopped by Canadian officials at the Sarnia, Canada, border crossing in an attempt to leave the United States.

“Our officers have great working relationships with professional law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada. This is a fine example of how important those relationships are in protecting Michigan’s natural resources,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division.

Assisted by customs officials, DNR conservation officers stopped the truck and obtained 55 bags of live crayfish. After interviewing the driver, the officers learned the truck originated from Canada and made stops in Maryland and Arkansas to pick up cargo prior to attempting its return to Canada. The driver did not have appropriate records, other than a few purchase receipts. DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Great Lakes Enforcement Unit is conducting further investigation. It currently is unknown if any stops or sales were made in Michigan.

The first concern regarding red swamp crayfish in Michigan was in 2013, when conservation officers learned the illegal crayfish was being used as bait in southwest Michigan. The first live infestations in Michigan were detected and reported in 2017. Confirmed infestations include locations in southeast Michigan.

Native in southeast states of the U.S., red swamp crayfish are the most widespread invasive crayfish in the world, and often are used in classrooms as teaching tools and at food festivities such as crayfish boils. Any possession of live red swamp crayfish in Michigan is illegal. The DNR is working to increase awareness and reporting of the illegal crayfish, in addition to removing infestations from confirmed locations.

A recent cleanup effort along a stretch of the Menominee River is expected to boost fish and environmental health in the area as the river recovers.

The Menominee River forms the boundary between the northeast corner of Wisconsin and the southern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with headwaters originating in both states and eventually emptying into Green Bay.

Federal Environmental Protection Agency and state specialists from Michigan and Wisconsin helped Lower Menominee River communities clean up the river by removing contaminants left by historic industry use, including manufactured gas, ship-building, paper and wastewater treatment companies. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds supported the cleanup.

“Restoration of sites like these makes an incredible difference for Great Lakes communities and natural habitat, as well as the outdoor recreation opportunities they support,” said Office of the Great Lakes Director Jon Allan. “Together, we’re achieving the goal of swimmable, fishable, drinkable waters that everyone can enjoy.” Read more

Looking to spend a few hours or a whole day fishing this summer? Michigan’s waters offer plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of fish, and summer is an ideal time to try. Charter fishing businesses throughout the state offer a great way to explore Michigan’s world-class fisheries.

Licensed charter captains provide the boats and all the equipment, plus the knowledge needed for a fun half-day or day on the water. Charter businesses in Michigan help children and adults have memorable fishing experiences – whether it’s reeling in a fish for the first time or trying your hand at catching a new species.

“Last year 72,000 anglers in Michigan participated in more than 18,000 charter fishing trips on the Great Lakes and other navigable waters,” said Donna Wesander, a DNR fisheries technician who tracks charter fishing data. “These anglers caught nearly 300,000 fish that included a variety of salmon and trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and muskie.” Read more

A patchy bloom of the Florida red tide organism,Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in 24 samples collected from or offshore of Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in seven samples collected from or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in 32 samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and background to medium concentrations in 10 samples collected from or offshore of Collier County.

Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.

Over the past week, fish kills were reported in Southwest Florida in Sarasota County (Casey Key, Manasota Beach, Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Venice North Jetty), in Charlotte County (Boca Grande Beach, Don Pedro State Park, Gasparilla Pass, Lemon Bay, Little Gasparilla Beach, Punta Gorda Beach, Red Fish Cove), in and offshore of Lee County (Boca Grande Pass, Gasparilla Island, Captiva Beach, San Carlos Bay, Sanibel Island), and in Collier County (South Marco Beach).

Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Sarasota County (6/29 and 7/3 at Lido Key; 6/28-7/1 and 7/3-7/6 at Manasota Beach; 6/29-7/4 and 7/6 at Nokomis; 6/29-7/1 and 7/3-7/5 at Venice Beach; 6/29-7/4 and 7/6 at Venice North Jetty), and Lee County (6/28-6/29 at Captiva; 6/28-6/29 and 7/2 at Gasparilla Island Range Lighthouse; 6/29-7/2 at Gasparilla Island State Park). Read more

Fishing for lake sturgeon is a rare and unique opportunity in Michigan. The month of July brings several season openers.

Detroit River

Fishing season: July 16 – March 15

Catch and release only. All lake sturgeon must be released immediately.

Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River

Fishing season: July 16 – March 15
Possession season: July 16 – Sept. 30

Fish must be between 42 and 50 inches. Lake sturgeon less than 42 inches and greater than 50 inches must be released immediately.

Otsego Lake (Otsego County)

Fishing/possession season: July 16 – March 15

Fish must be a minimum of 50 inches. Lake sturgeon less than 50 inches must be released immediately. Read more

On Wednesday, The European Commission formally approved 25 percent tariffs on a range of American products, including boats, in response to the Trump Administration’s Section 232 tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports. A 25 percent tariff will be applied to every boat destined for the EU.

The global trade war has intensified in the past few weeks and the recreational boating industry is being targeted on multiple fronts. To help the industry keep pace with this rapidly evolving situation, NMMA has released a frequent asked questions factsheet outlining and addressing these issues:https://www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabinet517/FAQ%20Sheet_Tariffs%20and%20Retaliation.pdf 

In addition, NMMA recently issued a Boating United alert, calling on all industry stakeholders to take action and tell President Trump to withdraw tariffs targeting boats. Read more