TOPIC:

- Lake Michigan Committee has recommended chinook stocking cuts be set at 50% of 2012 levels instead of previously announced 62% = Indiana will not suspend chinook stocking but will go with annual stockings of 60,000.
- Above is a result of additional lake trout cuts. Lakewide LT stocks will now be reduced from an avg. of
3.19 million (yearling equivalents) to 2.54, which is about double (in yearling equivalents) the previously announced cut of 550,000 fall fingerlings. Discussions for additional cuts are on-going. This round of cuts will eliminate secondary stocking sites in southern part of lake and reduce by 50% mid-lake stockings
- will propose raising lake trout limit from two to three in Ind. (Ill., Wisc. likely to do same)
- repeatedly emphasized they hope chinook cuts are temporary until alewife pop. improves
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Great news and thanks for the update. I was not happy that I couldnt make it out there for the meeting.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like progress.

Did they say anything but the current ale pop?

Thanks for the update. Did they say when the Laker cuts will begin? I read somewhere that they would still stock the 3.19 in 2017 since those fish were already in the hatchery and any cut would not hit till 2018.

from what I got out of it the ale pop. is still not looking good but they are in the process of doing this years survey, hopefully it shows some improvement.

pikesmith I understood it as the cuts will happen in 2017

Thanks for sharing that information! That is indeed better news!

Glad to hear something positive for a change. That's still a significant cut in the stocking...seeing how in '12 it was cut 66%, and now 50% more. Good to hear we're at least going to continue to put some chinook in, can't hurt. Also, nice to hear they're finally cutting the damn laker stockings...more the merrier!!
Thanks Mike for sharing the recap.

Here is the map of what the LMC's preferred recommendation on what their lake trout cuts would entail. Red X's indicate total cut to the site, yellow minus bar is cuts to the Mid Lake Refuge

The meeting was great and I was glad I attended to hear the presentation. The DNR had quite the crew of presenters available, and even brought a CO along for all you rowdy fisherman that didn't show up and stir the pot! Unfortunately, I was shocked at the rather low turn-out, but I understand not everyone can make it. Too bad we couldn't have seen more southenders there...

Thanks to Ben for the chat afterwards and the further explanations of questions I had. These guys do care about our fishery folks, and not only that but the simple fact is everything we are doing to be proactive is pretty simple to see the big picture, because we don't want to be wrong on this one. And I'm not saying this because I'm drinking the kool-aid, but I do agree with the model and would rather not have regrets later. The most important thing is the eyes opened on the Laker reductions and that they will continue to discuss it further, along with larger bag limits for the charters to have at it. I'm all for greaser reduction. If they are wrong and the ale populations are exploding (since everyone is seeing so many this year), it only means bigger and healthier fish for the numbers that are in the lake. Also, if the natural reproduction tweaks up slightly year over year, it will offset the small IN stocking amounts anyhow, so it could wash out in the long run. Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I'll take my chances riding this one out on the plan in place.