(Provided by Michigan DNR)

The Little Manistee WeirThe Michigan DNR announced the annual collection of steelhead eggs on the Little Manistee River in Stronach is underway.

The Little Manistee Weir

Since 1968, the Little Manistee River Weir has served as the sole source of winter–run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes. Steelhead provide one of Michigan’s premier sport fishing opportunities for both open water and stream fishing.

Egg-take operations began when the weir grates were lowered this month. This stops the upstream steelhead migration in the Little Manistee River and diverts them into holding ponds. Usually during the first two weeks of April, the fish ripen and egg-take operations begin. These activities continue daily until the established egg quota has been reached.

During egg-take operations, unripe or “green” steelhead are counted and passed upstream to sustain the wild Little Manistee River steelhead run. Steelhead that are spawned during operations are also passed upstream and many eventually return to Lake Michigan. Once the quota of eggs is reached, the weir grates are removed and all remaining fish are allowed to migrate upstream.

The facility is open to the public for up-close viewing on all days of egg-take operations. Fish can also be observed in the river below the weir at any time.

As a reminder, the Little Manistee River is closed to fishing until April 1. This regulation is in place to ensure enough steelhead make it to the weir for egg-take purposes, and that enough steelhead make it upstream to spawn naturally.