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Great Lakes Salmon Initiative

The L. Huron Salmon and Trout Sub Committee met yesterday at the MDNR Gaylord field office. Attending were Randy Claramunt the Huron Basin Coordinator, mdnr biologists,MSU Biologist Dr. Jim Bence, mcba rep, L. Huron Charter Capt and anglers, GLSI member former board member and President of the GLSI---a good rounded mix of experience and opinions. For over ten years L. Huron has tried to get direction and guidelines set for the salmonine program in Huron, and it looks like this will finally be accomplished

Establishing a salmonine plan for Huron is important for many reasons. Notably is establishing a working relationship with L. Michigan to co-manage the lakes cooperatively, Recognizing the inter-lake migration of Chinook from Huron to Michigan, natal production of Chinook and Coho in L. Michigan streams, some from Michigan waters of Huron and natal production from Canadian streams affecting management decisions. Why do we have the inter-lake movement? The lack of bait fish in Huron has resulted salmon moving to L. Michigan to feed before returning to Huron at maturity. This sounds good for L. Michigan but is it really? The situation is forcing the LMC to evaluate and make cuts to the salmonine program in L. Michigan in order to support bait fish populations. The state of Michigan is facing cuts again in 2019 to Chinook, Coho or Brown Trout or a combination of. This post is not about any arguments of bait levels or whether or not current production levels can be supported or sustained but an explanation of the direction of how to solve some of the problems faced in the industry.

The tribes have approved cuts of Chinook in Huron waters up to 100,000, outside of Nunns Creek 250K Chinook that are set in the 2000 decree. Michigan waters of L. Michigan have to make cuts and are cutting 100,000 coho, in the past these fish would have been planted as fall fingerlings in the Paw Paw River with little to no survival or returns(but they aren't being put in a dumpster) The sub-committee voted to cut 30k Chinook from Swan River and move the 100k Coho from L. Michigan to Huron, to be planted in Central and/or Southern waters, outside of decreed waters. These fish can be planted at a port in total or 2 plants of 50K to maximize returns. This is a hard pill to swallow for L. Michigan but is a good situation overall for Michigan anglers. For example let's say that 100k coho are planted in Oscoda---a spring/early summer fishery will be experienced in southern Huron then a late summer through late fall fishery would be experienced as fish return to Oscoda and the Au Sable River.

The GLSI has been outspoken that cuts need to happen to Chinook on L. Huron for 3 main reasons. Not enough bait or diversification of bait to support the Chinook Population. Movement of fish from Huron to Michigan waters because of lack of bait. The documented suppression of alewives in Huron to support and increase the natural reproduction of Lake Trout.

Bring the population of predators in line to support the balance and dynamics to sustain and in the future increase predators if bait fish rebound. 900,000 Lake Trout cuts have been made in Lake Huron in 2018 outside of decree waters. 30K Chinook cuts is a beginning and making up with coho equivalents planted outside of decree waters to improve angler access and economic impact is a firm step in the right direction!!