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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 Michigans 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.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
As hunters go into the field in southern Michigan this season, they should be aware that they may see some construction activity in the woods and should use caution.
Enbridge is currently constructing segments of the Line 6B pipeline in Michigan. This work will continue during both small and big game hunting seasons. The Line 6B pipeline runs from Griffith, Ind., to Marysville, Mich., and crosses 11 counties in Michigan: Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and St. Joseph.
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Goose hunters anxious to begin hunting at the Muskegon County Wastewater Facility Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area will have to be patient for a little while longer. Muskegon County Wastewater and DNR Wildlife staff members are working to prepare the fields for waterfowl hunting.
A combination of rainy weather and equipment breakdowns has delayed hay cutting and crop harvest in many of the fields. After Muskegon County Wastewater staff members and contractors harvest the crops, the fields provide space for hunters and waste grain for local and migrating waterfowl use.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Michigans improved central reservation system (CRS) that manages state park camping, lodging and harbor reservations will launch in November with minimal customer disruptions during the system transition.
The new system, which features customer-requested enhancements, opens Nov. 1 to state park lodging reservations (camper cabins, mini-cabins, rustic cabins, yurts and modern lodges), which typically have a one-year reservation window.
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division contracts with Camis USA, Inc., to provide the reservation system, including a call center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and servers in Southfield, Mich. The previous contractors term expired and Camis was selected through a bidding process.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
A rabbit hunter shows off his prize and his beagle. This season, cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare can be hunted from Sept. 15 through March 31, statewide. (Photo Courtesy Michigan DNR)Michigan wildlife biologists across the state say hunters should find conditions similar to last year in Michigan's wood lots, farm fields and wetlands.
Heres an overview:
Rabbits
Season: Cottontail rabbits and varying (or snowshoe) hare can be hunted from Sept. 15 - March 31, statewide. The daily bag limit is five in combination with a possession limit of 10.
Outlook: Roughly 60,000 hunters reported pursuing rabbits in 2010 (the most recently completed harvest survey) and about 15,000 hunted hares. Cottontail populations are good throughout their range over much of the state. Concentrate on thick cover, such as briar patches and brush piles, often near agricultural fields. Snowshoe hare populations are down somewhat from historic levels. Look for early-successional forests (such as aspen stands) and low-lying swamps with blow-downs and brush piles in the northern two-thirds of the state.
Squirrels
Season: Sept. 15 - March 1. The daily bag limit is five per day with 10 in possession.
Outlook: Both fox and gray squirrels are at moderate to high levels across much of the state. Last years mast crop was poor, so squirrels gravitated to areas adjoining agriculture. This years mast crop appears to be abundant, so squirrels should be widespread in areas with beech, oak and hickory trees. About 70,000 hunters pursue squirrels each year.