Michigan Mixed Bag: Construction project to temporarily close boating access site in Menominee County

Menominee, Mich. — A construction project along Lake Michigan in Menominee will temporarily close the Menominee Railroad Dock Boating Access Site, beginning Sept. 8. The project is expected to take three months to complete.

The boating access site and the road leading to it will be closed in their entirety for the duration of the construction project, which is expected to last until Dec. 15.

This closure will also limit access to the Menominee North Pier Lighthouse, owned by the city of Menominee.

“This construction work will replace paving, add shoreline armoring and construct a pedestrian trail and bike path along Lake Michigan,” said Ian Diffenderfer, unit supervisor at Wells State Park and the Cedar River Harbor. “The result will be substantive improvements for the public at this popular recreation location.”

Barley Excavating has been contracted to complete the $1.5 million project, funded by Michigan Department of Natural Resources waterways capital outlay money and the city of Menominee.

Alternative nearby boating access sites include the Menominee Marina, situated near 10th Avenue, and the Menominee Township Cemetery Boating Access Site located at the west end of 18th Avenue, near River Drive.

For the latest information on DNR facility closures visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

Find out more about Michigan’s more than 1,300 public boating access sites at the state’s Michigan Boating Information System.

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Correction on Grouse Bag Limit

Lake Orion, Mich. — In reference to the ruffed grouse forecast that ran in the Aug. 15 edition of MON, the daily bag limit is five ruffed grouse in Zones 1 and 2 with a possession limit of 10; and three ruffed grouse daily in Zone 3 with a possession limit of six.

Michigan’s sharp-tailed grouse season runs Oct. 10-31 is a select area of the eastern Upper Peninsula. The sharp-tailed grouse daily bag limit is two birds, the possession limit is four, and the season limit is six.

Results for Two Limited-License Deer Hunt Drawings Available Online

Lansing — Drawing results are available to hunters who applied for the antlerless deer hunting access permits for Deer Management Unit 352 in the Upper Peninsula or for reserved deer hunts in the Lower Peninsula.

Check your drawing results online at www.mdnr-elicense.com, in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, or call (517) 284-9453 to see if you were successful.

Leftover licenses for remaining deer hunting access permits went on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, and will be available until the quotas are met. There is no guarantee that leftover access permits will be available.

You can buy a license online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, from any license agent or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Keep in mind, licenses bought online will be mailed to you seven to 10 days after purchasing.

Friends of the Detroit River Ecorse Creek Cleanup on Tap

Ecorse, Mich. — The Detroit River Ecorse Cleanup, sponsored by the Friends of the Detroit River, will take place on Sept. 13.

It’s your last chance this year to make a difference for Ecorse Creek.

Join FDR for the last Ecorse Creek Cleanup of the season which takes place on land and on the water. A few boats ready for adventurous volunteers.

This family-friendly event is open to all ages and abilities, just bring your energy and a willingness to get a little dirty. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

After the cleanup, stick around for a celebratory lunch and a chance to win awesome raffle prizes, like a hiking backpack or a membership to the Detroit Zoo.

FDR also will hold the Belle Isle Kayak Cleanup Sept. 20, 2025; and the Detroit River Water Festival Sept. 23-24.

Visit www.detroitriver.org for more info.

State to Provide up to $3.6 Million in Grants for Invasive Species Projects

Lansing — Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2025 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.

The program – a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development – is a statewide initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent, detect, and control invasive species in Michigan.

Proposals will be accepted through Nov. 1

Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health.

The 2025 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines.

A webinar on the program was held Sept. 9.

Both the handbook and webinar information are available at Michigan.gov/MISGP.