Walleye Restoration Project Stocks Fingerlings in Bays de Noc

On hand to celebrate the first step—the planting of advanced fingerlings— in a 5-step fishery rejuvenation were: (L to R) Paul and Peter Strom of Strom and Strom Attorneys at Law, Jerry Peterson, retired fishery biologist, Ann Jousma-Miller, director of the Governor's northern Michigan office, Representative Judy Nerat, Representative Mike Lahti, Dave Anthony of Hannahville Indian Community, Delta County Commissioner Tom Elegeert, Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce and Kelly King of the Bays de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, Inc.

LITTLE BAY DE NOC, MI - Friday, October 29, 2010 - Walleye Restoration, a group of concerned citizens, community, state, and tribal officials, fishery experts and accomplished anglers, came together this past spring determined to overcome bad publicity about the quality of the fishery in the Bays de Noc. The group was educated on the specifics of the fishery during initial planning meetings; Walleye Restoration then enacted a plan to raise money for additional walleye plants in the Bays.

Walleye Restoration aims to put a positive face on the area fishery, which showed a decline from 2004 through 2010. This effort involves creating a coalition to raise money to restore, conserve and manage the fishery. The work includes educating the public to reduce illegal poaching and stream and river runoff and sedimentation that negatively affect the walleye.

On the day of the planting, Mike Lahti, Representative for Michigan’s 110th house district, said, “Not only is this a great thing for tourism on the Bays de Noc, but this is great for the economy and great for the Bays themselves.” Lahti went on to note that this year he worked with Governor Granholm to keep money for cormorant control in the state’s budget, to supplement the federal cormorant control program. This money had been vetoed in past years, but is needed to control the pests and conserve fisheries and shore ecology.

On Monday, October 25th, the group, along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment planted 6,850 advanced walleye fingerlings in Little Bay de Noc, at the Rapid River launch site in Delta County. This is the third plant on the Bay this year. The spring plant added approximately 44,000 2-3” walleye fingerlings, which were generously donated by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. A second plant with an additional 150,000 walleye fingerlings was stocked in a cooperative rearing effort between DNRE Fisheries Division and Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, Inc. The club provided funding and personnel assistance to rear, harvest and help stock these fish.

The October fish are advanced 6-8” fingerlings, and should have a survival rate of nearly 100%. These fish are larger due to their extended time in the rearing ponds. These larger fish will continue to grow and should be mature for spawning in about 3 years, faster than the smaller fingerlings. According to Jerry Peterson, a local fish Biologist and consultant for Walleye Restoration, it takes thousands of walleye to reach the goal of natural reproduction. According to Peterson, the use of advanced fingerlings is a good management investment, and could shorten the time needed to accomplish the goal. The goal for a healthier fishery continues into the future, and Walleye Restoration hopes to continue to get the word out about positive change supporting the fishery in the Bays de Noc.

The Walleye Restoration effort has raised nearly $13,000 this year to fund the fish planting on October 25th. $10,000 of that amount was provided by a grant from the Hannahville Indian Community. The fish are certified as disease free. The planting was possible with help from the Bays de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen Inc. That organization, by its attorneys Strom & Strom of Escanaba, has been active in working on legal measures to promote law enforcement, prosecute poaching, and change the laws to better protect the resources. Members were available to help plant the fish without interference from cormorants or other predators, but thankfully, were not needed.

For more information on Walleye Restoration or the plant, or to donate to the Walleye Restoration cause, please contact the Delta County Commerce Center at (906) 786-2192.