(Provided by Michigan DNR)

The Michigan DNR will collect eggs from Great Lakes muskellunge in the Detroit River to be reared at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan and stocked in Michigan waters this fall.

Collecting Great Lakes muskellunge eggs began in 2011 in an effort to rear a type of muskellunge that is native to most Michigan waters. In 2014, approximately 430,000 eggs were collected from the Detroit River. Those eggs produced more than 36,000 fish that were stocked in 21 inland lakes and rivers, two of which will serve as broodstock lakes for egg collections in the future.

"The DNRís goal this year is to collect 500,000 eggs to meet our target of 40,000 fall fingerlings for stocking our stateís waters," said Ed Eisch, fish production manager for the DNR Fisheries Division.

To collect the eggs, mature muskellunge are captured with electro-fishing gear in the Detroit River during early to mid-May. Collecting Great Lakes muskellunge eggs is difficult in these areas because of the physical conditions associated with open water, especially during the springtime. If weather or other conditions limit the success of collecting Great Lakes muskellunge eggs, northern muskies will be requested from other states to fulfill needed muskellunge to meet fisheries managersí needs for Michigan waters.

As a safety issue and a precaution, the DNR asks boaters to avoid coming close to the electrofishing boat during nighttime shocking work.

"When the generator is running and the boat's lights are on we are collecting fish using electricity near the boat and we want to make sure the public stays clear of the electric field for safety," said Jim Francis, DNR Fisheries Divisionís Lake Erie Basin coordinator.

To learn more about fishing in Michigan and the Great Lakes muskellunge management effort, visit the DNR's fisheries management website www.michigan.gov/dnr.