# Project Organization Contact Status Amount
0837 Identifying Trophic Pathways Associated with Thiamine Deficiency Complex

Sources and trophic transfer pathways of thiaminase in food webs have not been characterized. The project identified species (including plankton, benthos, and fish) and trophic pathways associated with thiaminase in Great Lakes food webs. Identification of thiaminase sources and their trophic pathways is required for the development of management strategies to mitigate Thiamine Deficiency Complex. They surveyed all trophic levels at one site three times to identify sources of thiaminase and pathways of thiaminase transfer.

Board Decision Year: 2006
U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center (Ann Arbor) Allen, Jeffrey D. ([email protected]) Completed $257,800.00
0836 Trophic Disruption Effects on the Diet and Condition of Lake Whitefish

Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences tested the hypothesis that low Diporeia abundance caused by dreissenid invasion is associated with poorer diets and slower-growing, low-condition lake whitefish. The diet-condition link was examined by stable isotope analyses of whitefish from Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Superior, along a spectrum from invaded with complete Diporeia loss (Erie), to invaded with partial Diporeia loss (Michigan), to uninvaded with no Diporeia loss (Superior).

Board Decision Year: 2006
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (Burlington, ON, Canada) , ([email protected]) Completed $81,000.00
0835 Testing of Nonlethal and Environmental Sampling Methods for Detection of the Fish Pathogen Renibacterium Salmoninarum

This project completed laboratory testing and began field evaluation of nonlethal and environmental sampling methods for detecting the agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in Great Lakes salmonid fishes and water, respectively. Nonlethal detection methods that enable monitoring of performance and survival of fish after testing, and methods for monitoring the pathogen in the environment, enhance evaluation of the impacts of this important pathogen on Great Lakes salmonids.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Western Fisheries Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey - Fish Health Section (Seattle) Elliott, Diane ([email protected]) Completed $327,971.00
0812 Determine the Critical Period of Olfactory Memory Imprinting in Lake Sturgeon

An important strategic plan for the management and restoration of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes is to determine when and where to stock lake sturgeon, and what is the proper life stage of lake sturgeon for stocking. However, this issue cannot be properly addressed without knowledge of olfactory imprinting in this species. In this study, we will use cellular and molecular biology tools to study olfactory development and determine the critical period for olfactory memory imprinting in lake sturgeon.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Illinois Institute of Technology - Biological, Chemical and Physical Sciences (Chicago) Zhang, Chunbo ([email protected]) Completed $241,794.00
0802 Evaluation of Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Strategies Using an Individual-Based Model of Demographics and Genetics

Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes basin needs to consider both the demographic and genetic response to management actions. Actions to rapidly rebuild abundance (e.g., intensive stocking) may have negative genetic consequences, but insufficient management may result in population extirpation. The goal of this project wasto develop a model that represents the genetics and demographics of lake sturgeon, and use that model to evaluate stocking strategies that could be used for lake sturgeon rehabilitation.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Michigan State University - Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (East Lansing) Hayes, Daniel ([email protected]) Completed $110,372.00
0801 Economic Summit on Lake Michigan Invasive Species

This workshop/summit was designed to stimulate and inform economic research on the growing problem of invasive species in Lake Michigan. The summit brought university ecologists and economists together with policymakers from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, USFWS, EPA, and Great Lakes agencies to foster dialogue and collaborations, and to stimulate research informed by real agency concerns and needs.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Michigan State University - Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (East Lansing) Lupi, Frank ([email protected]) Completed $18,580.10
0800 Economics of the Lake Michigan Recreational Fishery

The project measured the economic effects (expenditures and value) of recreational fishing on Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes. An economic model of the demand for recreational fishing on Lake Michigan was developed using the travel cost method. Primary angler data was collected in Michigan and a mix of primary and secondary data collected for other states. In addition to providing contemporary economic baseline data, the model permits managers to assess the economic effects of fishery decisions.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Michigan State University - Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (East Lansing) Lupi, Frank ([email protected]) Completed $259,349.00
0795 Establishment of Basinwide PIT Tag Capabilities to Rehabilitate Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon

Although PIT tags are a principal component of sturgeon assessment and management many agencies that target or encounter sturgeon lack the capability to detect or implant PIT tags, missing opportunities to share data. This grant money was used to purchase two types of readers and tagging supplies; these were distributed to 12 agencies with 17 offices. Data is being exchanged through the Sturgeon Tag Database and at Sturgeon Coordination Meetings.

Board Decision Year: 2006
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Ashland Fishery Resources Office (Ashland) Quinlan, Henry ([email protected]) Completed $24,696.00
0794 Development of DNA-Based Sexing Assays for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

The mechanism of sex determination in lake sturgeon is unknown, but is almost certainly genetic. If so, then it should be possible to develop a DNA test to sex fin clips, blood, or other tissue samples collected from live individuals. Purdue University's Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources developed an inexpensive and accurate genetic test that can sex lake sturgeon from nearly any tissue sample. This research will greatly enhance efforts to describe lake sturgeon distribution, abundance, and genetic variability.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Purdue University - Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources (West Lafayette) DeWoody, Andrew ([email protected]) Completed $150,200.00
0781 Coastal Wetland Landowner Education Campaign Phase II

This project was a continuation of GLFT support of Tip of the Mitt's coastal wetland landowner education campaign. Grant funds were used to produce a brochure summarizing a MDEQ report that evaluates Great Lakes bottomland grooming activities and describes the ecological impacts on the affected areas. The brochure was distributed to the same 10,000 shoreline property owners whose homes are located on some of the most important and threatened coastal wetland systems.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (Petoskey) McKay, Jennifer ([email protected]) Completed $20,000.00
0780 GLRC Great Lakes Fishery Series

The Great Lakes Radio Consortium (GLRC), a free environmental news service for public radio stations nationwide, produced the Great Lakes Fishery Series. These eight radio stories were designed to educate the public on fishery habitat, fish populations and health, angling access, and the integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. In addition to producing these stories and distributing them to 145 radio stations, the GLRC compiled a CD for educational distribution.

Board Decision Year: 2006
University of Michigan - The Environment Report (Ann Arbor) Han, Ellen Rinck ([email protected]) Completed $20,000.00
0779 The Continued Development of a Place-Based Education Initiative in Michigan

This project continued the support NMC in its effort to assist the GLFT in exploring the potential for a GLFT place-based education (PBE) initiative. Local and national place-based education, as well as Michigan stakeholders, were engaged in the development phase. NMC produced a document that summarized the research and input from experts and strategic partners, including a recommended infrastructure, organizational, and implementation plan for a place-based education initiative in Michigan. The GLFT Board is using this information to determine the length and level of financial commitment to this initiative. The document is also used to educate and leverage assets of other funders that might join the Trust in supporting place-based education.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City) Cotto, Marguerite ([email protected]) Completed $46,966.00
0776 Fate of the Boardman River Dams

This multi-year grant supported the process to determine the future of four dams on the Boardman River and helps build the capacity of organizations' involvement with the management of the river's watershed.

Board Decision Year: 2006
Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City) Cotto, Marguerite ([email protected]) Completed $334,427.05
0693 Evaluation and Synthesis of Methods for Identifying and Quantifying Critical Fisheries Habitat for Great Lakes Lower Riverine and Nearshore Zones

The Trust and Commission, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), funded an evaluation and synthesis of methods for identifying and quantifying critical fisheries habitat for Great Lakes lower riverine and nearshore zones. The work was carried out through a contract administered by the Commission with the University of Michigan.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Ann Arbor) Staples, Barb ([email protected]) Completed $31,543.60
0692 Detroit River Walk Fishing Access

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy constructed a three-and-one-half-mile pathway along the Detroit River known as the Detroit RiverWalk. This is a dedicated pedestrian trail that provides recreational use, habitat restoration, and public education. Detroit River fishing access is an important element of the Conservancy's mission. With GLFT funding, the Conservancy provided designated and separated access that caters to anglers. It enhanced two distinct access sites along the RiverWalk that are identified for angler use.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Detroit RiverFront Conservancy (Detroit) Marszalek, Leonard P ([email protected]) Completed $254,506.00
0691 Tribal Fishing and Recreational Fishing Access Project - Mackinaw City

The project resulted in two side-by-side floating docks attached to tribal property adjacent to a LTBB-owned fish market in Mackinaw City. One side is a 16-feet wide working tribal commercial fishing dock capable of mooring three 60-foot vessels and a research or patrol vessel. The other is an 8-foot wide public recreation fishing dock. The two sides are separated by a 3-foot tall center railing equipped with downward facing lighting fixtures. The public side has two 8-foot fishing bump outs and is handicap accessible (the last bump out has a 10-foot section of low railing to allow wheelchair-bound anglers access over the rail). The dock is a total of 295 feet in length. There are four parking spaces along the shore-side terminus of the dock and ample parking within walking distance.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians - Natural Resources (Harbor Springs) Craven, Doug ([email protected]) Completed $650,568.56
0689 Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve Boardwalk With Fishing Access

The Wilder River Walk located at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve was constructed along the Muskegon River, near the mouth where it empties into Muskegon Lake. The Wilder River Walk is 985 feet long and 10 feet wide with an additional 400-foot extension spur into the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve that connects to the nature preserve asphalt bike trail. In addition, seven fishing platforms were constructed along the 985 foot boardwalk; these cantilever 6 feet toward the water from the already 10 foot-wide boardwalk.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society (North Muskegon) Brown, Ron ([email protected]) Completed $198,515.00
0687 New Richmond Bridge County Park - Phase I

The funds from this grant helped build five handicapped-accessible fishing piers on the Kalamazoo River at the village of New Richmond in Allegan County. It also helped with the construction of boardwalks and trails to access the fishing piers. Educational signs and kiosks about the Lake Sturgeon in the river system and other aquatic fauna that can be found in and around the river are also included at the site.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Allegan County Parks Commission (Allegan) Ricco, Kevin ([email protected]) Completed $100,000.00
0685 Gladstone 10th Street Fishing Pier

The 10th Street Pier project converted a hazardous attractive nuisance into a facility that allows access to Little Bay de Noc and provides quality shore-fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and abilities.

Board Decision Year: 2005
City of Gladstone - Parks and Recreation (Gladstone) Sanderson, Nicole ([email protected]) Completed $350,000.00
0684 Preliminary Feasibility of Ecologic Separation of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes via the Chicago Waterway System to Prevent the Transfer of Aquatic Nuisance Species

This project explored aquatic ecological separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins at Chicago with the long-term goal of preventing the inter-basin transfer of aquatic species. The project developed effective and feasible scenarios and implementation strategies for separation of the two basins. These scenarios included consideration of engineering, economic, and ecological factors.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Alliance for the Great Lakes (Chicago) Brammeier, Joel ([email protected]) Completed $67,000.00
0671 Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Using Streamside Rearing Facilities

Biologists and researchers from the Lake Michigan basin continue to work together to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in Lake Michigan. Streamside rearing facilities (SRF) have been identified as the preferred tool to use for stocking sturgeon in both extirpated and remnant sturgeon populations in Lake Michigan streams. This project will provided a critical evaluation of SRF while promoting lake sturgeon rehabilitation in four Lake Michigan streams. Additional collaboration/contacts for this project included the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.

Board Decision Year: 2005
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay Fishery Resources Office (New Franken) Elliott, Rob ([email protected]) Completed $583,212.00
0665 Modeling Renibacterium Salmoninarum Dynamics among Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Populations in the Great Lakes

The goal of this project was to develop models of the multiple host-pathogen system of Renibacterium salmoninarum, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), using modeling methods developed for terrestrial diseases. Researchers used analysis of a hierarchy of models that included alternative vectors for pathogen transmission to identify important parameters to estimate in future field studies and to explore interactions between fishery management and disease dynamics.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Michigan State University - Michigan Sea Grant Extension (East Lansing) Tsao, Jean ([email protected]) Completed $42,898.30
0662 Historic and Spatial Variation of Lake Whitefish Maturation Schedules

Harvesting of fish stocks removes individuals based upon traits including size, behavior, and location. Selective harvesting could therefore alter genetic composition and negatively affect growth, maturation schedules, and whole stock productive capacity. Lake Michigan lake whitefish are selectively harvested based on size. Researchers evaluated whether whitefish maturation schedules have changed over time, estimated genetically based effects of selective harvesting, and provide recommendations for minimizing these effects.

Board Decision Year: 2005
University of Michigan - Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystem Research (Ann Arbor) Hook, Tomas ([email protected]) Completed $107,290.13
0660 Thiaminase in the Lower Food Web: Spatial and Temporal Trends, and Potential Impacts on the Thiamine Dynamics and Growth and Survival of Juvenile Fish

Early life stage mortality in salmonines of the Great Lakes continues to be problematic. Thiamine deficiency, related to the thiaminase content of planktivorous alewives, has been causally linked to early life stage mortality. The factors responsible for spatial and temporal differences in thiaminase in the food web that influence thiaminase in alewives are unidentified. This project was designed to assess the dynamics of planktonic thiaminase and determine the risk of current levels to juvenile lake trout.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Bayfield Institute (Burlington, ON, Canada) Fitzsimons, John ([email protected]) Completed $360,000.00
0650 Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS)

NOAA (National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species) and USGS (Center for Aquatic Resource Studies), working with university colleagues, accelerated construction of the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS). Capitalizing on advanced distributed database technology, GLANSIS provided images, GIS-derived distribution maps, current biological information, and other resources online. GLANSIS is the centerpiece of the first one-stop resource for information on all documented nonindigenous species in the Great Lakes.

Board Decision Year: 2005
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (Ann Arbor ) Reid, David ([email protected]) Completed $33,936.96
0648 Mortality and Recruitment Mechanisms Affecting Early Life Stages of Lake Sturgeon Population in Lake Michigan

Protection and rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes requires an understanding of the relationship among mortality and recruitment factors. As a result, there was a need to identify and quantify the sources of mortality that act on early life stages and determine how they influence lake sturgeon populations. This research aids recovery efforts for lake sturgeon populations in Lake Michigan by examining these parameters within the context of ongoing and future rehabilitation activities.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Purdue University - Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources (West Lafayette) Sutton, Trent ([email protected]) Completed $85,679.55
0635 Creating Stewards of the Great Lakes: A Comprehensive Study about Integrating Place-Based Education, Professional Development for Teachers, and Community Partnerships

The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (GLWSI) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) undertook a short-term, comprehensive study about integrating place-based education, professional development for teachers, and community partnerships as a strategy to increase stewardship of the Great Lakes. Such an integration, properly designed and implemented, has the power to engage people of all ages in meaningful work that is conducted in real-world settings and focuses on issues that are relevant to daily life.

Board Decision Year: 2005
Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City) Cotto, Marguerite ([email protected]) Completed $54,500.00
0626 Escanaba River Shore Fishing Access Project

Grant funds were used to construct an 8-foot-by-617-foot boardwalk at the North Shore Boat Launch in Wells Township; it is ADA-compliant and accessible from a previously existing paved parking area. A FabWright fish cleaning station, 960 linear feet of toe kick plates, and four dusk-to-dawn light fixtures on steel poles were also installed.

Board Decision Year: 2004
City of Escanaba - City Hall (Escanaba) Farrell, Bill ([email protected]) Completed $293,063.00
0624 Heinz Waterfront Walkway

The City of Holland, with support from the GLFT, completed a 1,512-foot-long walkway along the Lake Macatawa waterfont on the west end of Kollen Park. The project included five fishing decks with accessible railings, as well as other amenities including lighting, site furniture, and utility structures. The walkway is constructed with steel piling support, recycled wood decking, and metal railings. Multiple parking lots are connected to the structure by concrete walkways. Other amenities at the site include daytime boat slips, boat launches, bathrooms, a playground, a band shell, trailer parking, a gazebo, and picnic facilities.

Board Decision Year: 2004
City of Holland - Department of Leisure & Cultural Services (Holland) Gogolin, Gray ([email protected]) Completed $350,000.00
0623 Bird Creek Park Recreational Shore Fishing

The Huron County Road Commission, in cooperation with the GLFT, completed the Bird Creek Park recreational shore fishing project. The site is located in the Village of Port Austin along the Bird Creek River in Bird Creek County Park. Improvements included the construction of four fishing platforms connected by a barrier-free sidewalk linked to the existing boardwalk and parking area. To complement the fishing platforms, 200 feet of fish lunkers were built in front of each platform. The fish lunkers were constructed of white oak timbers built into the side of the river bank. These lunkers will provide a refuge for all species of fish in the river. Rip rap and native plants were also added to stabilize the river bank.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Huron County - Parks Department (Bad Axe) Romzek, Steve ([email protected]) Completed $153,436.00
0613 Assessment of Simulated Lake Sturgeon Supplementations in Michigan Drainages of the Great Lakes

Successful restoration of lake sturgeon throughout the Great Lakes requires knowledge of fundamental but little-known aspects of the species' early life history and of the impacts of proposed restoration activities on remnant populations. Restoration of remnant or extirpated populations will likely necessitate supplementation. Researchers conducted replicated experiments addressing the efficacy of alternative supplementation strategies for use in the Great Lakes basin.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Michigan State University - Office of Contract & Grant Administration (East Lansing) Scribner, Kim ([email protected]) Completed $275,464.00
0610 Status Assessment of Remnant Lake Sturgeon Populations in the Lake Michigan Basin

Biologists and researchers from throughout the region are continuing collaborative efforts to determine the current status of remnant lake sturgeon populations in Lake Michigan. Historically, sturgeon were abundant in Lake Michigan and reproduced in many rivers. Populations declined rapidly in the late 1800s due to habitat loss, degraded water quality, and overfishing. Knowledge of current sturgeon distribution, abundance, and reproduction is critical to furthering conservation and rehabilitation efforts for the species

Board Decision Year: 2004
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay Fishery Resources Office (New Franken) Elliott, Rob ([email protected]) Completed $292,143.00
0609 Comparative Performance in Early-Life History of Streamside Reared and Wild Reared Lake Sturgeon Acipencer fulvescens in the Manistee River

Managers are seeking techniques to increase reproductive success of sturgeon stocks while maintaining natural population performance attributes. Knowledge gaps exist in evaluating methods for rehabilitating remnant stocks, especially considering performance differences between wild and reared fish of similar genetic makeup. This study evaluated a streamside rearing program in rehabilitating remnant sturgeon stocks by comparing growth, habitat use, movement, and parental contribution of reared sturgeon to wild.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians - Natural Resources Department (Manistee) Holtgren, Marty ([email protected]) Completed $144,201.07
0607 Development of DNA-Based Sexing Assays for Lake Sturgeon

This project developed DNA markers that can identify the sex of lake sturgeon from nearly any tissue sample at any life history stage. This research greatly enhanced ongoing efforts to describe lake sturgeon distribution, abundance, and genetic variability.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Purdue University - Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources (West Lafayette) DeWoody, Andrew ([email protected]) Completed $100,702.84
0605 Lake Sturgeon Tagging Database

This project enabled resource agencies and the general public to access contact information for tagged lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) still at large throughout the Great Lakes. Researchers developed a lake sturgeon tagging database that includes tag type, tag number, and contact information (phone and email) for tagged lake sturgeon. This database is posted on the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission website to provide interested persons contact information about a tagged lake sturgeon.

Board Decision Year: 2004
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Alpena Fishery Resources Office (Alpena ) Kowalski, Adam ([email protected]) Completed $11,000.00
0603 Passive Integrated (PIT) Tag Marking and Detection System Distribution for Lake Michigan Management Agencies

Recent assessment strategies for lake sturgeon within the Lake Michigan basin are utilizing Passive Integrated (PIT) Tags to mark individual fish. Unfortunately, only a few agencies were able to 'read' these tags when they were encountered. Funding obtained through this grant was used to acquire 12 Avid-Power Tracker V systems to distribute to seven agencies performing open-water assessments on Lake Michigan. Data collected from this cooperative effort were directed to the Lake Michigan Sturgeon Task Group.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Suttons Bay) Olsen, Erik ([email protected]) Completed $17,049.48
0581 Ecological and Genetic Approaches to Develop Sustainable and Disease Free Fishes in the Great Lakes

PIs identified markers indicative of genetic predisposition to disease to identify salmonids and whitefish with heightened disease resistance. A mesocosm was used to evaluate performance and disease susceptibility, and role of native and introduced forage fish in pathogen dissemination.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Michigan State University - Office of Contract & Grant Administration (East Lansing) Scribner, Kim ([email protected]) Completed $358,360.08
0575 Evaluation of Lake Trout Spawning Habitat for Lake Michigan Deep Reefs

This project located sites for lake trout restoration at Lake Michigan’s Southern Refuge. In years one and two researchers used a remotely-operated vehicle and beam trawling to identify spawning sites and began qualitative evaluation (presence/absence) of egg deposition density and fry production. In year two and continuing into year three researchers evaluated sites using quantitative techniques adapted from well-established scuba methodology. Results were used to suggest further management options.

Board Decision Year: 2004
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Great Lakes WATER Institute (Milwaukee) Janssen, John ([email protected]) Completed $355,485.00
0573 Validation of Non-Culture Methods to Detect and Quantify Renibacterium Salmoninarum in Diagnostic Samples from Great Lakes Salmonids

This project completed laboratory studies for validation and standardization of methods for detecting and quantifying the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in Great Lakes salmonid fishes. Although BKD is believed to be a significant factor in declines of Lake Michigan Chinook salmon, accurate assessment of impacts of BKD on Great Lakes salmonids, and effectiveness of control measures, cannot be made without standardized detection methods that are sensitive, specific, and reliable.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Western Fisheries Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey - Fish Health Section (Seattle) Elliott, Diane ([email protected]) Completed $338,146.00
0570 Does Adult Body Condition Affect Recruitment Potential in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)?

Lake whitefish have historically been an important commercial species harvested from Lake Michigan. Recent declines in lake whitefish growth and condition have been attributed to reductions in their primary prey, the amphipod Diporeia. The loss of this high-quality food source may result in lower growth and survival of juveniles during the first year of life. By examining these relationships, the goal of this research was to improve our ability to predict year-class strength of lake whitefish populations.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Purdue University - Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources (West Lafayette) Sutton, Trent ([email protected]) Completed $413,374.34
0563 Nearshore Habitat Mapping of Grand Traverse Bay

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians contracted with Abrams Aerial Photography to photograph the nearshore area of Grand Traverse Bay. As a result of this work 147 photos were produced. With this grant, the tribe purchased a GIS workstation and contracted with a local company for GIS training and to convert the photos into digital format for GIS mapping. These results are being used to delineate the nearshore habitat types and the data are available to local agencies for land use planning.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Suttons Bay) Fessell, Brett ([email protected]) Completed $24,279.85
0545 Fisheries Learning on the Web

Fisheries Learning On the Web (Project FLOW) enhanced Great Lakes science education by transforming existing, award-winning curriculum into a series of Web-based lessons for Michigan science teachers and their students. This online science education project uses the Great Lakes as a teaching resource, engaging students in activities about fisheries and stewardship. Lessons were developed in accordance with state standards and included colorful graphics. Project FLOW facilitates learning in an accessible, cost-effective way.

Board Decision Year: 2004
University of Michigan - School of Natural Resources (Ann Arbor) LaPorte, Elizabeth ([email protected]) Completed $50,000.00
0522 Tracks-Catching Up on the Great Lakes Fisheries

Michigan United Conservation Clubs dedicated nine editions of Tracks TM to Great Lakes fisheries issues as identified by the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust. Tracks is a magazine targeted for upper elementary youth which has been published by MUCC for 26 years. Five thousand free subscriptions of Tracks were made available to organizations and individuals who purchased a second year.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (Lansing) Stine, Donna ([email protected]) Completed $48,022.29
0519 Ensure Continuity in Great Lakes Fisheries Management and Research Library

Budget cuts in 2004 forced state agencies to stop all periodical subscriptions. This grant enabled the DNR Institute For Research (IFR) to acquire library reference materials for 2004 to support Great Lakes fisheries research and management, and to provide materials for public education concerning Great Lakes fisheries.

Board Decision Year: 2004
Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Institute for Fisheries Research (Ann Arbor) Wang, Ph.D., Lizhu ([email protected]) Completed $6,772.97
0518 A Web-Based Information Clearinghouse for Great Lakes Education

This project resulted in the creation of a website that now provides an easy means for educators to identify, select, and access Great Lakes education resources and to obtain assistance with specific questions by networking with other educators and providers. This website meets the Great Lakes education needs of formal, nonformal, and informal educators.

Board Decision Year: 2004
University of Michigan - School of Natural Resources and Environment (Ann Arbor) Zint, Michaela ([email protected]) Completed $90,000.00
0516 Humbug Marsh Acquisition

This grant enabled the purchase of a 409-acre wetland and surrounding upland known as Humbug Marsh on the Detroit River. This parcel will ultimately be conveyed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. GLFT funds joined with several federal, state, private, and corporate donations for the purchase of the property.

Board Decision Year: 2004
The Trust for Public Land - Midwest Region (Minneapolis) Raymond, Alan ([email protected]) Completed $500,000.00
0419 Great Lakes Discovery Center

Funds were used to support the development of a business plan for the Great lakes Discovery Center including preliminary design, marketing and business plan, and program elements.

Board Decision Year: 2003
Friends of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Saginaw) Becker, Edward ([email protected]) Completed $250,000.00
0417 Great Lakes Basin Lake Sturgeon GIS Database Web Page

This project enhanced an interactive web-based GIS application and meta-database of Great Lakes lake sturgeon information. The updated database and GIS were used to enhance the existing maps and database developed for the 2000 and 2002 GLFT Lake Sturgeon Workshops. We have compiled the available lake sturgeon data sources to help focus restoration and research activities on priority lake sturgeon waters. Lake sturgeon researchers are the intended audience; however, it will also be useful to natural resource managers, biologists and those interested in sturgeon research throughout the Great Lakes Basin.

Board Decision Year: 2003
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (Amherst) Zollweg, Emily ([email protected]) Completed $34,872.28
0415 Potential for Lake Sturgeon Habitat Rehabilitation in Green Bay Tributaries of Lake Michigan

All preliminary requirements to initiate research efforts have been completed. A graduate research assistant was selected and undergraduate technician hired. In March, Sutton and the GRA organized a meeting held in Menominee and gave a presentation entitled “Assessment of LS habitat availability in N. LM tributaries” which introduced the project objectives and methodology to members of the Fox River Natural Resource Damage Assessment, WI and MI DNRs, and USFWS. Following the meeting discussion, the sampling methodology and prioritization of river systems were finalized. Results from sampling will then be used to develop decision tools to determine appropriate LS rehabilitation strategies in each system.

Board Decision Year: 2003
Purdue University - Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources (West Lafayette) Sutton, Trent ([email protected]) Completed $33,375.00
0414 Coastal Wetland Landowner Education Campaign

This grant produced a high-quality brochure that was distributed to all shoreline property owners along Saginaw and Grand Traverse Bays.The brochure included information on West Nile virus, property values associated with vegetated beaches versus "groomed" beaches, fish and wildlife habitat values of coastal marshes, and economic values of intact coastal wetlands.

Board Decision Year: 2003
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (Petoskey) Gruenwald, Gail ([email protected]) Completed $45,000.00