Alewife die-off: ‘Larger than normal this year and something we have not seen in years’
Alewife are experiencing a seasonal die-off in Lake Michigan, an event that frequently occurred 20 to 60 years ago but has been rare in recent times.
Michigan DNR
Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois DNRs converge in extensive fish poaching investigation
Agencies concluded multi-year law enforcement investigation into the poaching and over-harvesting of hundreds of vulnerable spawning lake whitefish from the Menominee River.
New state-record flathead catfish tops 53 pounds
This fish beats the previous state-record flathead catfish – 52 pounds, 46.02 inches long – caught in 2014 out of Barron Lake in Cass County.
DNR: Aerial survey shows Michigan’s elk herd growing
Estimated elk population between 870 and 1,684.
Black Lake sturgeon season wraps up in 36 minutes
There were 565 registered anglers, including a good number of supervised youth. According to the DNR, five sturgeon harvested were male and one was a female, ranging from 46 to 62 inches long and 23 to 67 pounds in weight.
In Michigan, successful fall fish stocking adds angling opportunities
Eight different species, 672,478 fish, weighing in at nearly 13.5 tons stocked at 123 locations across the state.
DNR, rescue workers recover elk carcasses from private lake in Otsego County
Michigan DNR conservation officers and ice rescue personnel clad in dry suits worked today to try to recover a dozen elk that died Tuesday after falling through the ice of a private lake in Otsego County. “This is a very tragic and unfortunate event,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Elk are an important species in Michigan’s successful conservation history. We…
Dreaded didymo – or ‘rock snot’ – found in Upper Manistee River
Despite its coarse, woolly texture, didymo can grow into thick mats that cover the river bottom.
CWD testing seminars scheduled
The Michigan DNR, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the National Deer Association will be hosting chronic wasting disease testing seminars in Montcalm, Kent and Ionia counties this fall. At the seminars, DNR biologists will demonstrate how to collect lymph node CWD samples from a harvested deer. These samples can be submitted for testing with a U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved laboratory for a…
Van Buren County suspect charged in poaching of nine trophy bucks
Eight of the nine sets of deer antlers suspected of being poached by Justin Ernst, 33, of Decatur. (Michigan DNR)Police investigating an October domestic violence complaint discovered nine poached bucks in a barn located in Decatur. Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers determined the illegal, trophy deer belonged to a previously convicted felon who is suspected of driving his…
Michigan DNR: And the top 10 best hunting practices for firearms deer season are …
Hunters can expect excellent conditions for the 2021 firearm deer season, which begins Monday, Nov. 15. As Michigan DNR conservation officers gear up for the season, they share best practices and tips to avoid the most common violations and mistakes they see every year. “Most of the violations that conservation officers encounter during firearm deer season are simple mistakes people…
DNR confirms recent cougar photo from Dickinson County
The photo recently gained news media attention after it was posted on social media.
DNR says common carp fish kill caused by KHV
The Michigan DNR has completed its investigation of the common carp mortality on Lake Orion in northeast Oakland County that occurred in mid-to late July. With the assistance of the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory at Michigan State University, it has been determined and confirmed that the common carp fish kill was caused by koi herpesvirus (KHV – cyprinid herpesvirus 3). “As…
Unmanned surface vessels scanning lakes Michigan, Huron
The use of sail drones is helping fisheries managers collect data on fish populations in the Great lakes.
In Michigan, state-record Chinook salmon tops 47 pounds
It also topped 47 inches (47.5) and bested the previous state-record Chinook salmon – 46.06 pounds, 43.5 inches – a mark that had stood since 1978.
State investigating common carp deaths in Michigan lake
LAKE ORION, Mich. — State officials are investigating the deaths of hundreds of adult common carp at an Oakland County lake. Michigan’s DNR said between 250 and 500 of the fish have been found dead since mid-July in Lake Orion, northwest of Detroit. Area residents reported the dead fish to the state agency. DNR fisheries division staff collected samples July…
Two Michigan men fined $8.5K for poaching hundreds of walleye, panfish, perch
(Michigan DNR)Stanley Garbacz Jr., 68, of Caseville, and Bruce Warren, 53, of Pigeon, were arraigned in Huron County District Court recently for illegal possession of panfish, perch and walleye. Garbacz turned himself in to authorities the week of May 10 and faces two charges of over limit possessions; one charge for perch and one charge for walleye, and must pay…
Sturgeon for Tomorrow seeking volunteers to protect sturgeon along Black River
The Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow is working in partnership with the Michigan DNR and tribes to protect the fish from being illegally harvested during the six-week spawning season.
Mowing snow … for butterflies
(Michigan DNR)After a flurry of snow covered the Flat River State Game Area, Michigan DNR staff mowed over the snow to benefit the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. These pale blue, dime-sized butterflies can only be found in small pockets of savanna habitat where wild lupine grows in the open sunlight. Karner blues depend on lupine for survival, as females lay their eggs…
Black Lake sturgeon season wraps up – in two hours
Four sturgeon harvested were male and three were female, ranging from 50 to 63 inches long and 25 to 61 pounds in weight.
Michigan man admits he killed deer with hammer after video surfaces
POTTERVILLE, Mich. — A man admitted that he killed a deer with a hammer in Eaton County after video of the incident was posted on social media, authorities said Saturday. The 23-year-old man from Potterville was located Wednesday night, about an hour after an off-duty conservation officer was told about the video, the DNR said. “The video starts with the…
Michigan man gets jail, loses hunting license for good over wildlife crimes
Charged with numerous wildlife crimes, including illegally harvesting 18 gray wolves and killing and disposing of three bald eagles.
Michigan DNR sees spike in hunting amid pandemic
A mid-September report from the Michigan DNR indicates that overall participation in deer hunting is up 26.97% over the same time as last year, and overall participation in hunting is up 121.61%.
Financial woes hinder DNR’s ability to test deer for CWD
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan wildlife officials won’t be able to check as many deer for chronic wasting disease during the upcoming hunting season. The state DNR said it’s facing staff and financial shortages as well as challenges from the coronavirus pandemic. “We ask for your patience and grace as we adapt to meet these challenges,” said acting wildlife division chief…
Michigan DNR: Deer hunters can expect conditions that meet or exceed 2019
Hunters who have seen the 2020 Hunting Digest may have noticed quite a few regulation changes. These changes reflect the evolution of deer hunting in Michigan.
Final year of ruffed grouse/West Nile virus monitoring to conclude this fall
In collaboration with the Minnesota and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, the Ruffed Grouse Society and Wisconsin Conservation Congress, the Wisconsin DNR will conduct the third and final year of sampling in a multi-year monitoring program this fall looking at WNV in ruffed grouse.
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