Our treasurer, in his first official act as treasurer, just cut the largest single check for a project in the history of Michigan Muskie Alliance ($2700). MMA is only able to offer assistance for projects like this because of your support. Thank you! Information about the project we're funding at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery is below.

Recently, we were also able to offer some "special" assistance to the Visitor Center at Wolf Lake for Fish Fest through our 501(c)3 status. Details will be in the newsletter.

Who does Wolf Lake turn to when they need help?

I'll give you one guess…

Hi Will,

As I said in a previous note, we were putting together a project that MMA could potentially help us with this year. In the three new ponds that we built, slopes to the outlet, low areas in front of the outlet, and a lip at the outlet don't allow the ponds to drain completely. This leaves fish stranded in the puddle in front of the outlet structure and we have to go in and seine them to get them out of the pond. A fix for this has been developed and involves pulling back the liner, adding sand to fill in these low areas and increase the slope to the outlet and adding some concrete to the floor of the outlet structure so that all the water and fish can drain out of the ponds. We would like to request financial assistance from MMA to cover the cost of the sand ($600), concrete ($800), rental of a compactor ($500), and seaming materials for the liner ($800). Grand total is $2,700. Given the State's budget issues, I can't justify these expenditures as critical this year, as there will only be fish in one of these ponds and we've gotten by using them as they are, since we've had them. With muskies the only coolwater fish we are producing this year, we have been told that we'll have money available for all the forage needed, so your groups assistance with the purchase of minnows won't be needed. Additionally, we'll only have fish in one of these three ponds, so this is the ideal time to complete these renovations to the ponds. The work will be done by our staff here, so all we're in need of is the funds to purchase the materials needed for this project.

As always, I appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication of MMA as well as the assistance you have provided to us throughout the years. It is a truly unique relationship that benefits both the resource and those who use it. Talk to you soon.

Martha Wolgamood
Hatchery Manager
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery

From another related e-mail…

When the project is completed, we're going to do a press release and put up something on our website about the work that MMA does to help with the musky program. I'll send you a copy of what we put together and let you know when it's up on our website.

We'll keep a photo journal of the progress of the project and send to you.

Martha Wolgamood
Hatchery Manager
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery