At the start of the year I once again set up the Iowa/Michigan muskie transfer. At the time Iowa said they would not have many extra fish and only planned on our normal request of 5000 fish. A couple weeks ago I got the call that the fish would be ready soon. So, I set up the transport with our friends in Iowa at Beemer Fisheries. Then I talked with Iowa again and they wanted to know how many fish we wanted… hmm, I thought we already established this. As it turns out, they were really asking how many we (Michigan) could possibly take.
This week 14,000 Iowa muskies will be making their way from Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery in Iowa to their temporary home at Wolf Lake Hatchery. Based on their survival from last year this should result in 11,000 Iowa muskies that will be stocked later this year.
What does this mean? This abundance of Iowa fish will enable the Michigan fish to be stocked at a higher rate this fall in waters that can only take Michigan fish.
This is great news, but I assume that still brings us back to our basic funding shortfall. If MDNR originally only had funding for 16,000 stocking and has already early dumped MI fry, then where is MDNR coming up with any funds to feed the extra IDNR fish? Emergency financial loan to MMA or MDNR? I agree that we cannot turn down the generous offer of fish from IDNR.
Because these Iowa fish grow so fast and are a superior survivor after stocking, it should allow earlier stocking with substantial success. I have talked with the hatchery and let them know it would be acceptable (to MMA) if the Iowa fish are minnow trained for about a month, then stocked. This should then allow the remaining Michigan fish to be held through fall.
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