TOPIC:

Great Lakes Salmon Initiative
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The GLSI started 2yrs ago in 2016 to combat the loss of our salmon fishery/industry. The federal and states direction to go to a native fishery in the Great Lakes. We experienced a tremendous amount of resistance from anglers and biologists that we had to follow science; there isn't enough bait in the lakes, the offshore productivity is down due to mussel populations, the lakes can't support a chinook population, natural reproduction is out of control.

The dynamics have changed. The lake has responded to higher water levels with increased productivity, nutrients, bait levels, with multiple species of bait rapidly expanding, huge weights and health of predators. Due to research and pressure by the GLSI and supporting members we were able to slow the native only agenda. Working with the MDNR the GLSI was able to get Zonal Mgmt set in place on L. Michigan, plants of Chinook increased from 200K to 330K in 2017 and 553K in 2018, some Coho movement to increase angling opportunities through out the coast line of L. Michigan. Stopping the Cisco rehabilitation/restoration program being pushed by the USFWS and increasing the interest in whitefish effort, a more lucrative economic based species that is struggling to maintain population levels.

Working with Randy Claramunt the L. Huron Basin Coordinator to establish a Huron Salmon and Trout Sub-committee for L. Huron to discuss needs, diversification, supportive abilities and angling opportunities on Huron for angler access and participation in the salmon and trout fishery. To understand the relationship and balance that needs to exist between the 2 lakes to support a viable fishery that affects not only Michigan anglers but Canada, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and the tribes as well. There is a meeting involving this committee this week and we will give a report on what we have been working on and how it will effect anglers.

Michigan is facing further cuts in 2019 due to the LMC agreements, which is a hard pill to swallow when the lake can support higher predator levels at this time!! Constantly having conversations with Jay Wesley to try to understand this situation I have to agree at some level that we need to understand 2 major components to maintain a balance. before going on planting increases #1 is bait levels and age classes, #2 natal production levels and locations of this production of predators through otilith studies.

2020 Consent Decree negotiations will have a major impact on how the lakes are managed. Lake Trout populations, state and tribal quotas, gill netting efforts, whitefish and or cisco rehab efforts. Just a few of the issues that are/should be on the table and leads the question are anglers and interests going to be represented fairly??

Ed: I heard from another captain that he heard from another captain about plans to stop all lake trout stocking in Lake Michigan. I've not heard that from any other source, nor do I believe it but just wonder if there's something afoot or if it's just fake news.

Mike I have not heard anything along those lines. Wishful thinking by some maybe. I believe that Michigan has put in another order for 2.1 million more federal lakers. Most of those to go to tribal waters, with around 500,000 to be planted out of tribal waters. As you know Mike, those orders have to be in like a year or so in advance. This is the last that I have heard.
Would be an interesting thought though.
Somewhere the southend needs to be looked at, Just like the king cuts due to the natural kings, The southend has the highest amount of natural lakers, so at what point does the southend regroup the way they look at lakers on this end? Indiana coming in at 33% natural lakers, if you believe the USFWS.Is it higher than that? Why does Illinois still stock federal lakers? When will the daily limit acknowledge the natural lakers we have on the southend?