Status and Update of Saginaw Bay Fish Community

Management of the Lake Huron Chinook Salmon Fishery

Status and Update of Saginaw Bay Fish Community

The Saginaw Bay Walleye Recovery Plan calls for interruptions to stocking when three or more predominantly wild year classes have been created. This level was achieved in 2005. Now the DNR is proposing to not stock the bay in 2006 and instead use fingerling walleye for stocking in inland locations. Further stocking under this current situation is believed to have little or no benefit to the bay's walleye population. The DNR is proposing to continue to monitor the situation and resume stocking if and when adult alewives become abundant again.

Status of Saginaw Bay Walleye Population and Progress Towards Recovery

Strategy and Options for Completing the Recovery of Walleye in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

Management of the Lake Huron Chinook Salmon Fishery

Recent declines in the Chinook salmon fishery in Lake Huron along with declines in the prey items eaten by salmon have prompted managers to take actions to try and improve the fishery. The management recommendation is to reduce stocking of Chinook salmon by 50% in Lake Huron in 2006 through 2011. Click on the briefing paper below for further information regarding the science behind this recommendation.

Briefing paper on the status of the Chinook salmon fishery and Lake Huron ecology

Other References and Materials (click on the link):

Press release announcing the issue and public meeting

Lake Huron's New Ecosystem and Foodweb

Analysis of the Chinook salmon populations of lakes Huron and Michigan, 1985-2004