OK Fellers' I am looking for some information on the following rivers; The Grand from South Haven up, The Muskegon from the mouth up, The Pigeon, The Kalamazoo, The Saint Jo and possibly Macatawa. I am doing a research piece for one of my Biology classes and am trying to determine the type and quantity of forage available SPECIFICALLY in the log jams of rivers. So this is what I need to know for pre-cursory info. Good launches that you know of, navigability of the river ie does it have a good average depth, what if any structural elements are present in abundance primarily log jams. What kind of fishing for trout/steelhead/walleye usually occurs on these rivers? What I am trying to determine is if there is a relationship between the representative species found in the harbored areas of rivers (logjams) and the species of fish present, and the way they are angled for. For example does a river such as the Big Manistee which has a high quantity of Helgramites produce more fish on plugs or natural bait? Please include if you are likely to use artificials or natural bait and what you see others doing as well. And what if anything do these numbers mean? I am going off the predator prey model that is used in relationship to say rabbits and foxes where if the forage increases the predator increases. It is part of a large scale thesis and I need to collect data over a period of years to corrolate any numbers. In the meantime I will relay information as I get it to any of you steelhead sickos 😈 😈 and maybe it will help you out some. I am also trying to factor in what effect mass plantings of a certain year class of say,Rainbow trout have on the immediate forage base and how that affects non-planted native species. Anyway like I said this is a long term project and I need to start collecting field data so that I can refine a thesis.
Thanks for any help.
Kevin Kimble
:: Also if anyone would like to share any info but does not want it posted in the forum please PM me.
Cyberlunge, You are probably aware that there are several concurrent studies being done on the Muskegon River watershed funded in large part through the GLFT and Wege Foundation. GVSU, UM, MSU, and a bunch of grad students are doing habitat and fishery assessments for baseline data and future modeling. There is more than I can cover, but if you need a starting point check out the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly web site <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">** you do not have permission to see this link ** and surf the Data Repository to connect up with individual researchers that may help you.
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Your question: "I am also trying to factor in what effect mass plantings of a certain year class of say,Rainbow trout have on the immediate forage base and how that affects non-planted native species." I was talking with Ed Rutherford, research scientist UofM yesterday at Ludington. We were discussing chinook reproduction in the rivers. But, we did talk about something related, walleye predation on salmonid smolts. Per Paul Seelback (MDNR Fisheries) small steelhead historically stocked by DNR <6" were not surviving (Lt Manistee R study), but survival greatly increased when DNR changed to larger healthier steelhead >8". At the same time, predation data and habitat range on flathead catfish is weak. FYI before the MMA was using the transponder / sonar equipment in Thornapple Lake with muskies, that equipment was being used in the lower St Joe River by researcher at Purdue tracking flathead catfish. The lower St Joe habitat is much like lower Muskegon and Manistee if that is within your research range. Have fun.
Thanks Hamilton I appreciate the info. I knew you would have plenty. This is going to be an attempt for me to take a large amount of information and narrow it down to one topic that can be quantified and then supported with field research. I will likely end up refining it many times over before I commit to a definitive statement. I am most interested in determining the effect of displacement and forage base depletion due to large stockings of cold water fish on our warm water species. As many of us are aware Michigan anglers seem to wear blinders to everything but Trout and Salmon and cosequently the non-angling public supports it. Not tyring to stir anything this is strictly a science based inquiry for me.
Kevin
Good for you. All sidebars of fishery management are important. That's why those computer nerds with the complicated models have so many pods with connecting lines in every direction. When I sat in a fishery meeting a month ago, a MSU grad started talking about his latest model and as expected there was a big moan and groan (old farts vs young smarties). Okay, I'll confess I'm too old to keep up with so much technology.
I do appreciate all those grads that attempt to look at our historic habitat and fishery management impacts. We know we're not perfect in the balance between glamorous sport fish and the smallest native fish. I can say that with over 30 years of watching each micro step from sand traps, food chain, spatial fish competition, dams impact, forage base, and other topics, that I am still amazed at how much there is to explore. Research may show negative, positive, or no conclusion, but still need those channels explored. I don't know how you plan to tie in your long term data, but those data will lead to something for you or just as important help a fellow researcher tweak your data into a paradigm we haven't thought of yet.
It is good that our MMA supports fishery science and education. That includes within and outside the membership of MMA. I enjoy watching old grads that got some financial or material support from our sport fishing organizations develop their careers and come back to help us latter.
Kevin,
Not the rivers you are inquiring about but you are more than welcome to all my info on the P.M., big and litttle M's and the Bets. I can send you copies of my maps I have updated, the big Manistee has changed a little over the last few years.
P.M. any other specifics you need.
Let me know I'll mail it to you.
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