Osprey Like Football, Too!

Details

Published: 01 November 2013

(Provided by Michigan DNR)

Osprey Like Football Too!Michigan residents aren't the only ones enjoying football this fall. It turns out that osprey in northern Michigan like football, too – football lights, that is. 

Marion High School sits just outside of town, overlooking agricultural fields and Middle Branch River, which – with its many feeder streams – winds its way through the Osceola County countryside. A large mill pond near town holds a nice supply of fish. 

“The osprey will drop fish right on the football field,” laughed Beth Robb, the Marion High School principal. 

Read more …

Feds Find Reproducing Grass Carp in Lake Erie

Details

Published: 01 November 2013

In the past three years the Michigan DNR has received increased reports of grass carp being captured in Lake Erie by commercial fishermen. These fishermen have also reported seeing more of this species, as well as specimens of varying age and size indicating there may be a naturally reproducing population in the lake. This assumption has been confirmed by a recently released U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report.

USGS has determined grass carp, a species of Asian carp, are naturally reproducing within the Lake Erie basin. Grass carp do not present the same ecological risk to Michigan’s waters as bighead carp or silver carp, although they are a species of concern because they feed on aquatic plants and can significantly alter habitat required by native fish. Grass carp have occasionally been found in Michigan waters since the late 1970s.

Read more …