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Michigan DNR stocked over 1 million fish in 2023
The Michigan DNR announced the totals from its 2023 fall fish stocking efforts. The DNR stocked six different species – totaling 1,076,204 fish that weighed 14.5 tons – at 103 locations throughout the state.
“It was another outstanding fall fish stocking season that will provide enhanced fishing opportunities throughout Michigan,” said Ed Eisch, assistant chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. “When added to our successful spring and summer stocking efforts, that brings the total for 2023 to more than 10.4 million fish stocked in Michigan’s waters.”
The number and type of fish stocked vary by hatchery, as each facility’s ability to rear fish differs because of water supplies and temperature. In Michigan, there are six state and three cooperative hatcheries that work together to produce the species, strain and size of fish needed by fisheries managers. These fish must then be delivered at specific times and locations for stocking to ensure their success. Most fish in Michigan are stocked in the spring.
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Recreation Passport
Starting Jan. 1, Michigan residents will pay $14 for the Recreation Passport – just a dollar more for a year’s worth of vehicle access to state parks and recreation areas and a host of other state-managed outdoor destinations.
The moderate fee change is the result of a statutory provision that ensures Recreation Passport funding keeps pace with the economy. Basically, the law says that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources does not determine the cost of the Recreation Passport; instead, adjustments are based on the Detroit Consumer Price Index, as determined by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
New fee, program support
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the resident Recreation Passport vehicle fee increases from $13 to $14, while the cost for motorcycles will not change.
The Recreation Passport is valid for 12 months when purchased at time of license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Although some residents have already received their registration renewal notices (reflecting the old fee), the new rate takes effect Jan. 1 for all in-person and online transactions.
There's a $5 convenience fee (except for Belle Isle Park) when the Recreation Passport is not purchased at the time of license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State, and is instead purchased at a state park or recreation area.
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Artic Grayling
In early November, three Michigan lakes were stocked with Arctic grayling.
These fish are surplus from the establishment of a grayling brood stock as part of the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative. The initiative has been underway since Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began a partnership aimed at reintroducing this iconic species to Michigan waters in 2015.
The full partnership now includes nearly 50 stakeholder and partner groups, along with the general and angling public.
Four hundred grayling were stocked at Alger County’s West Johns Lake, 300 at Penegor Lake in Houghton County and nearly 1,300 in Manistee County’s Pine Lake.
The fish were taken from the Marquette State Fish Hatchery in Marquette and represented year classes from 2019 and 2021.
“When starting a year-class of brood stock, you always start with more than you will need in the end to allow for potential losses to disease, mechanical issues, et cetera,” said Ed Eisch, assistant chief of the DNR’s Fisheries Division. “Such losses never materialized with the two year-classes that were stocked. The numbers needed to be thinned down to levels that are safe to carry into the future at the Marquette hatchery.”
Stocking Arctic GraylingWith the third year-class recently clearing their requisite health inspections, it is highly likely that there will be additional surplus available for stocking again next fall.
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By Louie Stout
In this era of some lake associations destroying aquatic habitat, it’s refreshing to see one who is doing just the opposite.
Lake officials at Diamond Lake in Cass County, Michigan are in the planning process of providing MORE fish habitat to the 1,078-acre lake near Cassopolis.
The Diamond Lake Association’s Lake Preservation Committee plans to submerge 10 tree cribs in various sections of the lake, add log barriers along some seawall areas and place boulders around some shorelines to reduce erosion. A lake resident offered to provide the hardwoods for the cribs and the committee will handle the manual labor.
“Fishermen who live on our lake believe fish stocks aren’t what they used to be and this is one way to help the fishermen and the lake,” said Sheryl DeLuca, vice president of the association and the committee chairman. “We know that a good fishery is the sign of a healthy ecosystem.”
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MDNR Biologists examine bear den
While you’re enjoying time outdoors this fall and winter, keep an eye open for black bear dens. Reporting den locations to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a simple, yet effective way to support bear management programs.
“Finding winter den locations is an important component to managing black bear populations, and we need hunter, trapper and landowner assistance to add new den sites to the program in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula,” said Mark Boersen, wildlife biologist at the DNR Roscommon Customer Service Center. “Currently, we are monitoring six bears from the ground and aircraft using radio tracking equipment.”
Depending on their location in the state, bears typically enter dens in November and December. They tend to select dens in locations that provide shelter from the elements, which can include areas with dense vegetation, rock crevices, fallen trees or excavated holes. Bear dens may look like brush piles covered in snow or excavated holes in the ground, both having an icy opening to vent fresh air.