GLFT Grant Library

Lake Michigan fishery managers seek reliable indicators of nutritional stress in Chinook salmon populations. Project managers collected wild-ranging Chinook salmon from Lake Michigan and measured various indicators of fish nutritional state in spring and fall over a three-year period. The goal of this study was to determine which indicators provide the best measure of stress and estimate the number of fish needed to provide an adequately precise estimate of stress on the population. The study also enhanced knowledge of the causes of stress in Great Lakes Chinook salmon.

This study assessed the potential fishing access sites in southeast Michigan along the Detroit River.

This project evaluated the success of existing lake trout stocking strategies which started in 1985 because of the lakewide plan to rehabilitate Lake Michigan approved by the Lake Michigan (approved by the Lake Michigan Committee). Since 1985, the majority (more than 76 percent) of lake trout stocked have been transported and released directly above 24 specific spawning reefs,compared to less than 27 percent in 1965-84. Recolonization of historically productive spawning reefs will likely play a major role in lake trout finally achieving sustained natural reproduction in Lake Michigan. This project measured the distribution of spawning lake trout on 31 reefs throughout northern Lake Michigan over three years to evaluate the success of current stocking stategies. Distribution information was used to assess the performance of lake trout strains stocked for restoration and the movement of lake trout in the study area.

This project provided enhanced angler access to Lake Huron fish populations as part of recreational improvements (including a new breakwall) at the city’s boat harbor.

Early mortality syndrome (EMS) of Great Lakes salmonid species is a result of a deficiency in the vitamin thiamine. The goal of this research was twofold: 1) to provide fishery management agencies with information for management of forage fish, such as alewife, to minimize thiamine-related loss of lake trout, coho, and Chinook salmon; and 2) to determine if neurological and other abnormalities in thiamine-deficient fry contribute to the observed recruitment failure in Lake Michigan lake trout populations.

Managing for sustainable salmon and trout fisheries in Lake Michigan is threatened by the occurrence of early mortality syndrome (EMS), a syndrome that reduces egg survival. This three-year project identified the most effective thiamine treatment methodology to maintain Lake Michigan hatchery production. A screening technique was developed to measure egg thiamine levels that will provide a tool to decide which eggs require treatment was developed. Once the cause and pathway of EMS is identified, fishery agencies will have the information to help manage the Lake Michigan fish community. Methodology and analytical techniques from this project can be transferred to investigate recent recruitment problems in other Great Lakes species.

The City of Ludington angler access improvement project is located in downtown Ludington and was completed in the fall of 2000. This project provided enhanced opportunities for shore fishing of Great Lakes species as part of the new downtown harbor redevelopment project on Pere Marquette Lake, adjacent to Lake Michigan. The improvements meet the needs of residents and visitors to the area by maximizing access for families, seniors, and disabled persons. Improvements include restroom facilities, picnic tables, a fishing boardwalk, parking, and shelters.

This project provided shore-fishing opportunities for Great Lakes species entering Betsie Lake as part of a larger recreational project involving creative re-use of the former car/railroad ferry site.

This project identified potential projects to enhance public and tribal fishing access in northern Lake Huron, northern Lake Michigan, and eastern Lake Superior.

This project implemented erosion control and habitat improvement measures on the Big South Branch of the Pere Marquette River. Baseline data were taken prior to improvements for benchmarking and evaluation purposes. Sampling occurred (following improvement measures) to determine the effect of the habitat improvements on natural salmonid reproduction.

The Pere Marquette Charter Township angler access improvement project at Sutton's Landing was a pilot project (1998) of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. This two-year project improved the Sutton's Landing Park, which served 7,500 fishermen per year prior to improvements. The boat launch provides access to Pere Marquette Lake, the Pere Marquette River, and Lake Michigan.

This project promoted better understanding of Great Lakes fisheries and factors required to sustain this natural resource through providing materials, training, and support for teachers and volunteer mentors who work with youth in schools, sport fishing clubs, and locally sponsored sport fishing events. This project indirectly provided better access to resource users, and promoted active stewardship of Great Lakes fisheries among youth and families. It accomplished these goals through exciting interactive learning materials, long-term learning experiences with mentors and clubs, and Family Fun Fishing Festivals.

This project produced two education resources relating to Lake Michigan fisheries: a traveling exhibit and an exhibit catalog. These education resources enabled the public to contextualize present-day fisheries policies.

This project sought to investigate further the use of gluteraldehide to treat both no-ballast-on-board (NOBOB) and ballast-on board (BOB) shipping vessels. The main focus of this study was to access the logistics, efficacy, and environmental acceptability of treating vessels claiming NOBOB. A secondary goal was to evaluate the treatment of BOB vessels.

This project resulted in the building and testing of a prototype fish passage for lake sturgeon. Primary components included continued telemetry studies at White Rapids Dam to determine the best location for a fishway passage; tests with juvenile lake sturgeon to determine the best fishway design; and tests with other warm-water fish to determine the effectiveness for other species.

This project improved angler access by connecting an existing parking area to the south pier. The improvements include the handicappe-accessible walkway and paved parking for approximately 12 vehicles.

This project developed integrated and comprehensive Great Lakes ecological information/interpretive centers at state fish hatcheries.