Benzie Fishery Coalition

DNR Fish Harvesting Stats
Articles on this page:
DNR Funding Crisis
Big Platte Lake Walleye Fishery
Boat Ramp Lawsuit Defeated
Fall Coho Run Up The Platte River Low, But O.K.
Has The MDNR Accepted Cougar Sightings as Fact?

                     Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Outdoors                                                         
www.michigan.gov/dnr

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FUNDING CRISIS

Conservation officers will not be allowed to address general conservation law violations which will degrade public lands such as game areas, state forests, state parks, etc.

Game and Fish Protection Fund

Reduction of $6.2 million

Reduction of 58 staff

• Close 2 fish hatcheries

      Loss of 1.2 M coho, 1.9 M Chinook salmon, 845,000 brown trout, and 485,000 rainbow trout.  The       economic impact of these reductions will be monumental as fishing boosts the state’s economy by $2 billion annually.

• Eliminate remaining fish surveys (creel clerks)

Angler harvest data will not be collected and is therefore not available to use to assist in the management of the state’s fisheries resources. This will also eliminate the ability to evaluate ports across the state for compliance with the 2000 Tribal Consent Decree.

• Close research station

Eliminate the ability to evaluate and make management recommendations on inland coldwater fisheries including trout rivers streams and lakes negatively affecting fishing opportunities.

• Eliminate university research and reduce fish health activities

Opportunities will be lost to respond to current disease issues.

• Eliminate use of Great Lakes research vessels

      Twenty five years of continuous data collection on harvest mortality and fish health would end       compromising our ability to adjust harvest regulations and hatchery stocking programs.

• Reduce conservation officers

This will result in increased illegal activity such as poaching, increased accidents and injuries due to violations of hunter safety regulations and reckless operations of ORV, boats, snowmobiles, etc.  Remaining conservation officers will be at greater risk due to the lack of backup, increased response time, etc.

• Reduction in emergency dispatch for conservation law violations

Emergency dispatch will not be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Closure of managed waterfowl areas

Loss of over 28,300 acres of hunting areas.  This equates to 300 days of lost hunting opportunity. Hunting alone annually brings in $1.3 billion to Michigan’s economy.

• Translocation of nuisance animals

Nuisance bear and geese will no longer be moved. Over 6,000 geese have been removed in Southeast Michigan resulting in greater wildlife-human conflict and disease concerns.

• Office closures and elimination of presence in field offices
   

Forest Development Fund

Reduction of $1 million

Reduction of 9 staff

Additional reductions are necessary if $1 million is transferred to the Michigan Department of Agriculture for conservation districts.  As these reductions are implemented and affect future revenue, the need for further reductions will compound.  Fiscal Year 2008 reductions will be as follows:

• Reduction in timber marking, regeneration, planning

This will negatively impact the amount of timber that is marked, regenerations efforts, oil and gas reviews, use permits and leases, recreation, planning, forest certification and fire response, which will negatively affect tourism and a $13 billion timber industry in the state.

• Elimination of natural features inventory reviews

Loss of forest certification will likely negatively impact the state’s ability to sell timber reducing state revenues.
 

Park Improvement Fund

Reduction of 253 staff

Infrastructure conditions continue to deteriorate. To address the structural deficit in the Park Improvement Fund, the Department will cease taking reservations in April 2008 for at least 37 state parks, which will close during Fiscal Year 2009.  Reductions will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2009 as follows:

• Closure of at least 37 state parks and recreation areas and scenic sites

This reduction will affect millions of visitors annually, eliminating many opportunities for our customers to experience the outdoors through either day use or overnight stays.  These closures will also negatively affect local communities who depend on the economic stimulus provided by the state parks.  Visitors to our state parks contribute more than $580 million annually to Michigan.

• Closure of 8 interpretative centers

Closure of the interpretative centers will result in the loss of a critical educational opportunity to inform the public about conservation practices, stewardship, and natural resources management.

10/22/07

Big Platte Lake Walleye Fishery

We have been besieged lately with questions from local fishermen about walleyes in Big Platte lake. Following significant plants of walleye fingerlings in Platte Lake, last year's fishing for walleye brought in significant numbers of local guys who had considerable success. The boat ramp on Arborvitae road was quite busy, the busiest we have seen it in several years. Platte walleyes were often the subject of conversation in Benzie County last year.

In 2006, walleye catches started off slowly and we began to wonder if the great 2005 season had been overdone.  Were they over fished? 
Although the walleye harvest has improved in recent weeks, we wondered if it was time to ask the DNR about it, and to give us some idea of what we can expect in future years.  When and how many new walleyes will be planted next year?  How long does it take for fingerlings to mature in our lake until they become realistic targets for fishermen?
So we decided to contact our friend Bob Rozich, regional fisheries expert at the DNR offices in Cadillac.  We asked Bob those questions and here was his response:

Dear Ed,

First, the history of recent walleye stocking in Platte Lake:

2002 67,950 fingerlings
2003 63,112 fingerlings
2004  63,728 fingerlings

These walleye were from 1.25" to 1.50" in length, as future stockings should be.
We plan on stocking roughly 63, 000 walleye fingerlings in Platte Lake in June of next year and every third year hence.
The walleye in Platte Lake are growing slightly better than state average, so they should reach the minimum size of 15 inches after three summers in the lake.
That means the 2002 fish will be 15 inches in late summer 2004, the 2003 fish will be 15 inches in late summer 2005, and the 2004 fish will hit 15 inches late this summer.
Over fished? Probably not Ed...... As walleye get older, they are tougher to catch. In addition, initial stockings survive best and subsequent ones to a lesser degree. Stocking every third year hence should provide a good, sustainable walleye fishery.
The one thing we need to watch is how much natural reproduction we are getting, as we can end up with too many walleye in Platte Lake and a stunted population.

Thanks, Bob

So, I believe the future of Platte’s walleye has great promise.  Like anything else, let’s enjoy, but not over-indulge.  With the great improvement in the big Platte’s water quality seen in recent years, we are hopeful that the prospect of catching bass, walleye and pan fish will attract more fishermen to our area.  Steps have also been taken to improve the population of northern pike.  There are even some muskies out there. Recently a friend of mine caught a nice 23-inch steelhead in Big Platte Lake.  He (the fish) must have been too lazy to go back to Lake Michigan this last spring.  Quite a few steelies move up river with the fall Coho but nature intends that they return to Lake Michigan the next spring. Big Platte Lake’s maximum depth is about 90 feet in the center of the west end of the lake, a 65 foot channel can be found down the middle of the lake from the east end past Birch Point.  One of the best areas to fish is just off the big drop surrounding the east and north sides of Birch Point.  Walleyes are being taken in about 20 feet of water.  Drifting or slow trolling with night crawler harnesses seem to work well.  Next years fishing ought to be good too.

Boat Ramp Lawsuit Defeated

The DNR’s proposed boat launch facility on the south shore of Crystal Lake is perhaps now one step closer to reality.  Circuit Court Judge James Batzer recently issued an opinion that dismissed the civil lawsuit brought by a group called the Crystal Lake Property Rights Association.

According to the Traverse City Record Eagle, proponents of the boat launch believe it is critical to the public’s use of the lake because the other ramp in Beulah is insufficient to meet demand.  Opponents say they don’t like the proposed location near Mollineaux Road in Benzonia Township and that plans call for too much parking and might promote commercial development.

However, the legal entanglements may be far from over.  Some riparian property owners, represented by various groups, have already contested the DNR’s permit application submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).  The appeal process will begin very soon.

The concerns expressed by opponents include a possible major increase in boat traffic on the lake, potential for big high speed boats creating beach erosion, possible petroleum spills from outboard motor usage, noise and traffic pollution affecting nearby property owners, and the potential for commercialization of the area.

The DNR points out that Crystal Lake is a public lake and should be available to boaters and fishermen from elsewhere than waterfront property owners.  At 9869 acres, Crystal Lake is the largest fresh water body in the State of Michigan that does not provide safe and proper public access.  There is no fixed date at this time for the DNR to begin construction. 

The DNR believes that much of the traffic at the new boat launch will come from boaters now trying to use the dilapidated one in downtown Beulah, but concedes that improved access to Crystal Lake will attract more boaters and fishermen.

Bill Boik, DNR’s Waterways and Planning Supervisor, responsible for the planning and ultimate construction of the 4-ramp boat launch facility has stated that the Crystal Lake project is number one on the DNR’s priority list.  “Even if funds are limited to just one boat launch in the state, the Crystal Lake site would be the one we would do” he remarked over a year ago in one of several public informational meetings the DNR has convened.

Prior issues seem to have been resolved, including working out agreements with the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail organization.   A slight rerouting of the trail at the boat ramp would now permit pedestrians to cross the ramp area in front of vehicles loading and unloading trailers, rather than between vehicles and the water’s edge, as was originally laid out.  The alteration in the plan was accommodated without much trouble, and was typical of the DNR’s attempts to co-operate with various interests in resolving local issues. 

Additionally, special steps have been included in the plan that handles potential hazards related to toxic contamination that might result from vehicles and boats using the property.

The much needed boat launch and parking lot is expected to cost the DNR  $1.4 million and will provide for 4 ramps.  Parking facilities are up the hill from the ramps and are expected to accommodate 54 vehicles with trailers, and 12 additional vehicles without trailers attached.  The boat launch is expected to be open year round, providing much needed lake access during ice fishing time. 

Although arrangements have yet to be worked out, it is expected that Benzonia Township may end up operating the site, collecting fees to pay for maintenance and services.  The DNR’s plan for the Crystal Lake boat launch is believed to be supported by all local fishing groups, including the Benzie Fishery Coalition.  Properly built and maintained, it will be a boon to the local economy providing a long overdue safe way to launch and retrieve boats from Crystal Lake.

There is no question that the boat launch will ultimately be a reality.  So far, the opposition to this much-needed facility has made a lot of money for lawyers, working for residents opposing the project, Benzie County (who are caught in the middle of this dispute) and the State of Michigan. 

Also it is quite likely that the delay, which has now lasted several years, has exposed the project to higher construction costs caused by inflation in this industry.  The need is great, the funds are available, and the planning is done. Properly built and managed, this boating facility should be a win-win achievement for Benzie County.  Let’s hope that it will now move forward in everybody’s best interests.

Fall Coho Run Up The Platte River Low, But OK

We always look forward to hearing the numbers each fall from the lower weir on the Platte River.  Apparently this year’s run was very small but appears to provide enough brood stock for next spring’s Coho plant.

Ed Eisch is Manager of the Honor and Oden hatcheries, and a good friend of the BFC.  Here is his report on results: 

We don't have absolutely final 2006 data yet, but we are awful close.  As of the end of October, we passed 6,721 adult coho, 2,293 jack coho and 433 adult chinook above the lower weir.  Harvest at the lower weir included 673 adult coho, 1,884 jack coho and 2,689 chinook.  We also passed a total of 257 steel-                            Platte River
head and 5 brown trout. 

While the adult coho numbers were paltry at best, we did see some very encouraging signs.  The fish that did show up were larger than the past couple of years and were in absolutely excellent shape.  They appeared to be very healthy. 

We do a visual inspection of each fish, both male and female, used during the egg take and cull those with obvious signs of disease.  There were very few fish that were culled at all and, those that were culled, were mostly culled for buckshot eggs, which is not a sign of disease but of over-ripeness.  Egg quality was the best I have seen in my four years of involvement at Platte.  We are seeing fertility rates in the mid 80 percent range, which is some of the best on record.  We have no reason to think that won't carry over to eye-up. 

Possibly the best news is the large size of the jack run.  While it is not a guaranteed indicator of the size of next year's adult run, there is some level of correlation between one year's jack run and the next year's adult run.  This year's jack run was very large.  Between fish passed and fish harvested, we saw over 4,000 jacks at the lower weir.  Since 1997, there have only been two years with larger jack runs and both of those years were followed by very large adult runs.  The bottom line is that, WHILE I CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING, we expect a very sizable return of adult coho to the Platte next year.

We are also pursuing a three year study to evaluate changing stocking sites as a way to improve survival and return of fish stocked in the Platte.

Has the MDNR Accepted Cougar Sightings as Facts?

     "I'm becoming intrigued with these stories," said Commissioner Darnell Earley at the September National Resources Commission (NRC) meeting after hearing from citizens who have seen Michigan cougars or had their livestock attacked by the large cats. 

In August and September, the NRC and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were presented with evidence of the cougars existence in Michigan.  Citizens and conservation groups presented evidence of over 1,200 sightings, confirmed DNA scat/hair/bone samples, photos, videos, livestock kills, and almost 100 sightings that involved evidence of a breeding population.

At the October 5, 2006, NRC meeting, Commissioners were presented with a Department report on cougars.  The report was given during the Wildlife Policy Committee on October 5 at the Lansing Center.  This is the first time the NRC has officially requested the Department supply information on this endangered species.

Citizens and wildlife groups have been putting extreme pressure on the Commission to investigate the cougar and develop a management plan based on its endangered status.  The DNR currently refuses to implement a management plan because they are waiting for more definite evidence of a breeding population.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy (MWC) emphasizes that the Endangered Species Act does not require evidence of a breeding population.  Michigan Citizens for Cougar Recognition (MCCR) agrees with the MWC's interpretation of the Act.

The MCCR hoped to make the October NRC meeting a milestone in bringing cougar sighting information to the attention of state officials.  They are encouraging all citizens with information/evidence to forward their cougar observations.

Founder Denise Massey says that people that were unable to attend, can forward sighting reports to her and she'll personally deliver them to the NRC.  Reports should be sent to Massey via http://www.michigancougar.com

 (Editors Note: Recent news articles are suggesting that the MDNR will cave in to all the pressure and establish means to contact them with sightings data.  Whether the DNR will eventually accept responsibility for setting up protection for these animals is yet to be determined.)

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