Michigan Mixed Bag: ‘Retired’ trout stocked at Huron River sites

Roughly 3,050 adult trout – retired broodstock from Michigan’s state fish hatcheries – were recently stocked by the Michigan DNR in the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County and Spring Mill Pond in Livingston County.

The Huron River, downstream of the Proud Lake Dam, was stocked with approximately 990 brown trout and 1,430 rainbow trout, ranging in size from 13 inches to 20 inches. Spring Mill Pond was stocked with approximately 200 brown trout and 425 rainbow trout, also ranging from 13 inches to 20 inches.

Special regulations apply for anglers interested in targeting these trout:

• The Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing Oct. 1 through March 31. April 1-25, anglers are limited to flies only, catch-and-release fishing, with the exception that children under 12 may keep one trout sized between 8 inches and 12 inches.

• Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing March 15-31. April 1-25, anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch-and-release fishing.

• On both bodies of water, beginning April 26, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five trout over 8 inches, but only three of those five may be over 15 inches.

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APRIL WORKSHOPS FOCUS ON GREAT LAKES FISHERY

Lansing — Anglers, charter captains and others interested in current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery are invited to a series of April workshops that are being offered both virtually and in person.

Offered by Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the DNR Fisheries Division, the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local fishery organizations, the workshops will cover topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open-water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics based on regions.

Regions and meeting dates include:

• Lake Michigan (April 13)

• Lake Huron (April 14)

• Lake Michigan (April 16)

• Lake Huron/Saginaw Bay (April 21)

• Lake Huron/Les Cheneaux Islands & St. Marys River (April 28)

Visit the Michigan Sea Grant fisheries workshops web page for more information (including registration details) on each workshop.

LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY BANDS TO GET $200K GRANT

Lansing — Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Michigan will receive $200,000 to restore Lake Michigan’s whitefish population as part of a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The whitefish project includes reintroducing the fish into the Bear River, returning spawning to the largest tributary of Little Traverse Bay.

Overall, the USFWS is awarding more than $6.6 million to federally-recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats.

The funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects across 15 states, benefiting a wide range of wildlife and habitat, including species of cultural or traditional importance to Indigenous communities. Nine of the awarded proposals are to tribes that have never received Tribal Wildlife Grants funds in the past.

“Tribes are vital partners in wildlife conservation, and we’re proud to support projects that reflect their connection to the land and leadership in protecting it,” said Service Director Brian Nesvik. “These investments support tribal sovereignty while advancing our shared conservation goals.”

Tribal Wildlife Grants help tribes develop increased management capacity, improve and enhance relationships with conservation state partners, address cultural and environmental priorities, and help train the next generation of conservationists by engaging tribal students interested in fisheries, wildlife and related fields of study.