Looking for a part time fisheries job to make some extra cash this spring?
The Fish and Wildlife Service's Mass Fish Marking Program will be recruiting staff this winter to begin working in the 2022 tagging season starting in March. These positions will be permanent intermittent (when we need folks) that pay around $16/ hour with OT. The positions will assist the Biologist in charge of the trailer operations by clipping and tagging the fish that are rejected by the Autofish trailer and loading the trailer with fish. All training will be provided and no previous experience is needed. Employees would be traveling to state and federal fish hatcheries around Lake Michigan on 5-10 day tours with all expenses (hotel, meals, mileage) paid. We are looking to hire about 6-8 folks. Location is not an issue has the employee would be traveling from their homes to the hatcheries for all tours.
Those interested should contact Chuck Bronte at 920.412.8079 for more information or go to
USAJOBS.GOV
to apply--the positions will be advertised as Animal Care Taker 2 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I anticipate the announcement going out within a week from today.
#2 We attended last weeks Seagrant steelhead meeting and here's a report from it.
Dan O'Keefe gave some preliminary data from the Anglers Diary program. The data provided by participants is critical to gain a better understanding of wild production of steelhead and how strong or weak our river runs are. We really encourage anglers to participate. There are phone aps you can download to submit data, it is very easy. More information here:
www.michiganseagrant.org/.../great-lakes-angler.../
Anglers and DNR Biologists from around Michigan reported how the fall runs were. On Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Rivers generally, there was a spurt of fish just behind the salmon runs but fishing got tougher after that. Warm river temps and low water were factors holding fish back. Lake Huron anglers had to work hard and be persistent to catch some steelies as runs were not large. Recent rains and snowmelt in the last warm up are bringing in some fresh fish. This will help the winter fishery. Results varied by what river you were on.
Jay Wesley reviewed the reduced creel limit of one steelhead in northern Lake Michigan streams from March 15 to May 15 instituted by the NRC. More info on that here:
www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-wa...s-amid-fish-declines
We also got a presentation on how to better handle and release fish to reduce mortality. More info here along with other tips:
www.keepfishwet.org/principles
Good luck if you get out fishing over the holidays! Download the app and help with the Angler Diary program if you are after steelhead.