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MDNR Report
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a variety of local and regional organizations, has completed its 2024 spotted lanternfly monitoring efforts. Throughout the summer and fall, teams across Michigan worked collaboratively to monitor and track the spread of this invasive pest, resulting in new detections in Macomb and Lenawee counties, as well as new findings in previously affected areas.
"We are grateful to our partners for their ongoing work helping us monitor the spread of spotted lanternfly in Michigan," said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “This collaboration allows us to collect critical data on new infestations which helps better understand how this pest is spreading across the state."
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By RACHEL LINCOLN, Michigan DNR
The 1,000-pound Michigan bull moose, standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall with 40-pound, paddle-like antlers, is the iconic symbol of the Upper Peninsula’s wildness.
Despite their majestic status, Michigan's moose have faced significant challenges over the past century. To understand the factors shaping their survival today, researchers are examining population trends and the hurdles moose encounter.
“Michigan’s moose are a vital part of the Upper Peninsula’s ecosystem and identity,” said Tyler Petroelje, northern Michigan wildlife research specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Through this new study of factors limiting moose population growth, we’re working to uncover a clearer path for the future of moose in Michigan.”
Aerial survey
DNR wildlife biologists have conducted aerial surveys to estimate the moose population in the western U.P since 1997. Every other year in January, survey planes fly low in a grid pattern over Marquette, Baraga and Iron counties as researchers record the number of moose spotted.
Doing the survey in winter makes it easier for trained spotters to see moose against the leafless, snowy landscape, but it’s still impossible to count every moose. Instead, the numbers are adjusted using a statistical model to estimate the population.
The 2023 U.P. DNR moose survey showed a population of 426 moose in the western part of the region. The 95% confidence interval estimates a range between 334 and 518 individuals.
In addition to the regular aerial survey, researchers will begin a new project later this month to explore the reasons behind the slowed moose growth rate.
The full name of the study is “Factors limiting moose population growth in the western Upper Peninsula.”
New moose study
Through this new effort, the DNR, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Northern Michigan University will work together to try to better understand the trends and challenges the Michigan moose herd faces.
“As co-stewards of our shared land and natural resources, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community welcomes the opportunity to work with the DNR and NMU to help answer important questions about the Michigan moose population,” said Erin Johnston, wildlife and habitat manager for the KBIC Natural Resources Department in Baraga.
Researchers anticipate fitting 60 moose with new tracking equipment over the next two years. During this first year of the study, 20 moose will be captured and equipped with radio collars, which will provide precise location data.
Tracking these movements will help researchers understand moose survival and causes of mortality, pregnancy rates and birthing events.
“There is a need to examine why moose population growth in the Upper Peninsula has been stagnant over the past decade,” said Diana Lafferty, associate professor in biology at NMU. “As such, measuring vital rates like reproduction, survival, immigration, emigration, as well as identifying factors that may be limiting moose population growth, such as parasites, disease, predation, vehicle collisions and habitat alteration are essential for understanding and modeling population dynamics.”
During the capture operation, spotter planes will report moose locations to nearby helicopters and ground crews. Moose will be sedated, and crews will move in quickly to collect biological information and fit the moose with a tracking collar.
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MDNR Report
After only 17 minutes of fishing, this year’s sturgeon season on Black Lake (in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties) ended at 8:17 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. The season, which included spearing and hook-and-line fishing, was scheduled to run Feb. 1-5, or until the harvest quota of six lake sturgeon had been reached.
The Michigan DNR set the harvest limit for the season at six fish, though anglers were allocated a season quota of seven sturgeon by agreement with tribal governments. This limit was placed to accommodate the expected number of anglers and anticipate the possibility of near simultaneous harvest of more than one fish. Such a scenario occurred this year, as a seventh fish was harvested before notification of the season closure could be sent out.
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By Louie Stout
The Diamond Lake Association’s project to protect shorelines and improve fish habitat is moving forward and anglers should see results this summer.
Michiana Outdoors News announced the project in December of 2023 but it was delayed while waiting on DNR funding. The association got approval this summer and began some of the work in the fall.
Thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Michigan DNR, the association has already begun planting brush piles in part of the lake and plans to resume efforts this spring.
Shoreline stability has been a big issue for the lake residents as a result of excessive boat wake action. The three-pronged approach calls for stabilizing the shoreline along “Fireworks Island,” adding protection to the bank adjacent to the west side of the DNR boat ramp, and planting approximately 20 fish habitat sites in deeper water.
“We want to be good stewards of the lake,” said project chairman John Poracky. The fish population is a metric we are trying to protect.”
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MDNR Report
The effort to reintroduce Arctic grayling to Michigan waters will enter its next phase with a ceremony Monday, May 12, at the Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Alanson, Michigan.
At this event, the DNR will provide a total of approximately 400,000 grayling eggs to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. These partners will reintroduce the eggs at locations along the North Branch of the Manistee River, the Maple River and the Boardman-Ottaway River.