Not sure if anyone cares about these citizen advisory meetings, but I went, and heard some interesting stuff.
There was a lot of discussion about walleye surveys, of course, but some about Muskies.
I was able to assist in explaining the current status of the regulations changes. Later I was able to go into more detail about how, and why the changes were happening.
There was an update on a tagging and recapture study that they are doing on Muskies in the inland waterway. They were able to get an additional 25 fish tagged this year. The fish were fairly well spread out in Burt, Mullet, Black, Indian River, Cheboygan River, and Black River. Most fish captured were males. One was only 24" caught by a local angler that helps with lots of other stuff. I think there are 28 total fish tagged. Largest male was 47" and most were over 45 with all but a couple over 42. I made sure to point that out 😈 All but 3 fish were netted while shocking, and tagged with a yellow "cattle" tag thru the gill plate, and a floy tag by the dorsal fin. The other 3 were by a local fisherman that is set up to assist with this and other surveys.
For those that care about Cormorant damage. PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN! The DNR has exhausted their abilities to assist in reinstating the exception that allows lethal control of cormorants. USFWS isn't listening and doesn't seem to care, and it truly is a major problem. I know they don't effect us a ton, but in the LSC thru Huron flyway there is some serious damage being done. I will copy and past an email in the comments…
There was one new guy that was annoyed by muskies, but seems to get the importance. Claims to get bitten off by them in Burt trolling for Walleye with thundersticks, at night, in 14-21 fow…
One spearer asked if all musky fisherman were allowed in MMA. I said anyone is allowed in MMA. He asked if there are other spearers that are members, and I responded that there weren't that I knew of. I kindly explained that our goals are not as a social group of fisherman, but as a conservation group trying to expand the resource, and that anyone that wants to help expand the resource is welcome any time [smilie=cheers2.gif] I think he was trying to bait me into saying MMA hates spearers, but I wasn't buying it.
Anyhow, it wasn't the most productive meeting of my life, but I am glad to have been there to keep the conversation honest with the biologists and managers.
Also, my dad rode along, and we got to wander the upper manistee river valley for upland game, and came home with a grouse and a timberdoodle… not bad for the first 2 shots out of my new 28 ga.
To follow-up on our discussion of reestablishing effective cormorant control to protect the fisheries, I attached the new fact sheet from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that indicates they are completing an Environmental Assessment that evaluates options for the issuance of depredation permits for lethal control of cormorants where there is either significant economic damage to fish production facilities (aquaculture); significant damage to native vegetation; significant impact on a threatened or endangered species; or significant human safety risks. Unfortunately, this Environmental Assessment review does not cover protecting recreational and commercial fisheries by allowing lethal control of cormorants to protect free swimming fish. The US Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that once they complete the first review they will begin working to analyze the impact that cormorants have on recreational and commercial fisheries. The reason that the US Fish and Wildlife Service is working on aquaculture and safety issues first is stakeholders concerned about these issues put strong pressure on their Congressional Delegation and insisted that lethal control of the birds is critical.
To ensure that the US Fish and Wildlife Service completes the second Environmental Assessment that allows lethal control of the birds to protect fisheries, a strong response from us is needed by contacting our US Congressperson and US Senators, and encourage these Representatives to pressure the US Fish and Wildlife Service to move quickly to complete the second Environmental Assessment that allows the lethal take of cormorants to protect free swimming fish.
To assist in contacting your US Representatives, attached is a contact sheet along with the original letter that was sent from the Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee to the entire US Congressional Delegation. I have been contacting my US Congressman, Jack Bergman’s Office about once each month for updates and he has been very responsive. I encourage you also be insistent and send photos and other information to your representatives.
Bird counts are being completed at the major cormorant nesting sites around the state including the Les Cheneaux Island area and Thunder Bay. Early indications are showing that without lethal control of the birds the last 2 years, much progress and investment has been lost as the nest numbers are rising faster than anticipated. As soon as I received the nest counts, I will pass the information along.
To be effective, we need to be persistent and continue our dialog with our US Representatives.
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