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Bill Ziegler

A close look at the snapper — the sturgeon of the turtle family

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky /

Most people rarely see a snapping turtle in the wild. The most common time we see them is when we’re driving around in the early summer and we encounter an adult female moving to lay its eggs near the road in a sandy or fine gravel area.
Retired conservation officer Mike Webster commented to me that he typically observed snapping turtles in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during nesting activity around the summer solstice each year. Of course, turtles are very vulnerable at this time of year when attempting to lay their eggs.

A close look at the snapper — the sturgeon of the turtle family Read More »

When it comes to muskie fishing in Michigan, the ‘good ol’ days’ are now

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing /

When I started my career as a DNR fisheries management biologist in northern Michigan in the 1970s, there were fewer muskie waters available. Also, the overall size structure of muskies in them was much smaller than now.
The area I started in – the western Upper Peninsula – had more viable muskie waters than many areas of the state, but the size structure of muskie in those water bodies was much smaller. What changes happened to result in the overall size structure to improve for muskies in Michigan waters?

When it comes to muskie fishing in Michigan, the ‘good ol’ days’ are now Read More »

Bill Ziegler: New beaver policy detrimental to Michigan trout, streams

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

As beaver populations have grown to all-time historical highs the Michigan Department of Natural Resources policy and rules regulating management and control of these prolific rodents had become more liberal. The beaver is, of course, a valuable native furbearer; however trout also are extremely valuable and typically lose out when abundant beaver overwhelm Michigan’s relatively lower gradient trout streams.
In a recent major change of DNR policy, a group of DNR staff have reversed the trend of allowing fairly liberal beaver control measures on high value Michigan trout streams.

Bill Ziegler: New beaver policy detrimental to Michigan trout, streams Read More »

Michigan’s beavers expand as trapping participation declines

Featured, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Before northern Michigan’s economy was a logging and mining economy, it was based on fur trade, largely beaver fur. Men’s hats made of beaver fur were incredibly popular and as a result of unlimited demand there was intense fur trapping pressure on beaver.
This was one of the historical driving forces behind the famous Hudson Bay, Northwest, and American Fur company’s insatiable demand for more prime beaver fur.

Michigan’s beavers expand as trapping participation declines Read More »

Limited viewings? Patience is key when trying to witness a Michigan moose

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky /

As a Michigan DNR fisheries biologist in the U.P., I had to answer public wildlife questions at the DNR office, when wildlife biologists were not available. One time a couple wanted me to direct them to where they could see the “moose herd.”
I told them I was not a wildlife biologist although it was my understanding the moose typically are solitary animals, unless it is a cow with calves. The man was incensed and said the DNR had “false advertised” in the former DNR magazine. He went on to say they had “driven all the way up to the Western U.P. from a suburb of Detroit just to watch the moose herd.”

Limited viewings? Patience is key when trying to witness a Michigan moose Read More »

Whitefish populations improving in Great Lakes

Featured, Fishing, Michigan, National Fishing, National News, News /

Lake whitefish are native and historically the dominant commercial fish in the upper Great Lakes.
Although there are a number of good-tasting fish in the Great Lakes, lake whitefish (a member of the trout and salmon family) are arguably one of the best. That explains why there is almost an unlimited demand for fresh whitefish driving the commercial fishery.

Whitefish populations improving in Great Lakes Read More »

Michigan DNR changing the process for how it estimates the wolf population

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Tyler Petroelje, a wildlife research biologist for the Michigan DNR, recently informed the state Natural Resource Commission of a change in the survey method that generates wolf population estimates. 
For decades Michigan has conducted wolf population surveys in the winter by tracking the packs and estimating how many wolves were in each pack. This method inherently produces a minimum estimate since wolf packs are normally at their lowest numbers in winter. Petroelje said the DNR is transitioning to a camera-based survey.

Michigan DNR changing the process for how it estimates the wolf population Read More »

Cormorant population continues to increase on Michigan waters

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Outdoors enthusiasts and anglers in Michigan have seen double-crested cormorants in increasing numbers during the past few decades.  
Fish-eating birds, double-crested cormorants are found near rivers and lakes, as well as saltwater coastal areas, and are widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Here is a look into the impact they are having on some Michigan waters.

Cormorant population continues to increase on Michigan waters Read More »

A past and present look into Michigan’s sturgeon fishery

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, National News, News /

Historically, Michigan’s Great Lakes and connected waterways had strong populations of lake sturgeon.
The Michigan DNR Fisheries Centennial report states that it cannot be determined how abundant sturgeon were in lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron before commercial fishing started in earnest in the 1830s.
“Millions of pounds of sturgeon were taken in nets for many years,” the report states.

A past and present look into Michigan’s sturgeon fishery Read More »

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