Sturgeon News
April 9, 2008
Volunteers Sought For Annual Sturgeon Guarding/Habitat Conservation ProgramVolunteer Sturgeon Guards may participate in spawning habitat conservation project.
From late April throughout the month of May, Sturgeon For Tomorrow (SFT) is again joining forces with Michigan citizens, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBBOI) in Cheboygan County to protect spawning lake sturgeon and their habitat in the Upper Black River.
"When lake sturgeon migrate upstream to spawn, they are very vulnerable to poachers," said Brenda Archambo, President of Sturgeon For Tomorrow. "With the help of Sturgeon Guard volunteers, we will be able to monitor key areas 24 hours a day."
Michigan citizens and members of the local chapter of SFT stand watch and use cellular phones, donated by Radio Shack of Cheboygan, to report suspicious activity to conservation officers on patrol in the area. Fisheries Biologists from the Michigan DNR, LTBBOI, and volunteers are also on the river collecting biological data on the adults to better understand reproductive ecology and early life history of lake sturgeon.
New this year, Huron Pines RC&D and SFT volunteers are collaborating to prevent soil erosion and protect sturgeon spawning habitat. “Preventing the further erosion of these sites and resultant input of sediment to the stream will help protect and restore the sensitive spawning habitat of lake sturgeon,” said Patrick Ertel, Project Manager for Huron Pines.
In the Black Lake Watershed Management Plan these sites were listed as “severe” erosion sites and it was noted that they are contributing to the sediment load, the Black River’s number one pollutant. “This is also a great opportunity to educate users about the watershed and its management, non-point source pollution, and habitat for endangered species”, said Ertel.
For more information and to register for the Sturgeon Guarding Program/Sturgeon Spawning Habitat Conservation Project, contact Sondra Shephard, at 904-261-6909 /231-625-9232, Brenda Archambo, 231-625-2776, or log onto www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org, click on Guarding Program.
February 12, 2007
By SHAWNA JANKOVIAK
Tribune Staff Writer
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
Sturgeon 5, fishermen 0
For the first time in 60 years, no big fish were speared at Black Lake
BLACK LAKE - No fish were harvested during Black Lake's recently concluded nine-day sturgeon spearing season, making 2008 a memorable year.
This sturgeon season will go down in history as the first time since the late 1940s that we have witnessed such a change in events.
This is first year in 60 years that we stand at zero sturgeon harvested. Rest assured there is lots of sturgeon in Black Lake. We have tagged over 600 adults since 2000 and stocked roughly 17,000 fingerlings.
Water clarity was a problem throughout the season. Murky water and poor visibility caused by recent rains may have contributed to the slow season.
The 2008 season ran from Feb. 2 through Feb. 10, or until five fish were speared, whichever came first.
More than 700 people registered for this year's spearing lottery. In 2007, 590 individuals registered, and the season ran out with only four successful in spearing a fish. Poor ice conditions were a factor in 2007.
The sturgeon harvested last year ranged in size from 51 inches to 70 inches and weighed between 38 pounds and 71 pounds.
Although sturgeon spearing on Black Lake was limited to 225 individuals (25 each day) who were pre-selected in a Jan. 12 random drawing, any unclaimed fishing tags were made available to anglers present at the registration station by means of a daily secondary drawing. The Onaway DNR field office, located four and one-quarter miles north of Onaway on M-211, was the sturgeon spearing headquarters.
Those who were selected in the lottery drawing were allowed to fish between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. the day they were eligible. A 36-inch minimum size limit applied. Anglers received a tag and marking flags issued in their name for their day of fishing. Fishing tags were not transferable and anglers had to present proper identification when picking up materials…
February 10, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
The 2008 Black Lake Sturgeon Season ended today. Zero sturgeon were harvested this year. Read comments below.
February 9, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
Well folks, zero sturgeon today... there were 8 no-shows and a currently unknown number of anglers for secondary drawing.
The 2008 Sturgeon Season ends tomorrow. This is the first year in 60 years that we stand at zero sturgeon harvested eight days into the season. Rest assured folks, there are lots of sturgeon in Black Lake. We (Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Department of Natural Resources, Central Michigan University, and Michigan State University) have tagged over 600 adults since 2000 and stocked roughly 17,000 fingerlings.
We’ve got some snow and wind in the forecast. Here’s a glimpse of the weather....brrrrr
Tonight:
Periods of snow showers with widespread blowing snow. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday:
Periods of snow showers with widespread blowing snow. High near 11. Wind chill values as low as -13. Windy, with a west wind between 25 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday Night:
Snow showers likely with widespread blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -15. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
February 8, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
Well folks, no sturgeon today... there were 17 no-shows and 27 anglers for secondary drawing.
Seven days since the opening of the 2008 sturgeon season and still no fish harvested. 2008 will go down in history as the first time since the late 1940’s that harvest is at zero seven days into the season.
The weekend should be lively…
February 7, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
There were 14 no-shows today.
Six days since the opening of the 2008 sturgeon season and still no fish harvested. We are left scratching ours heads in wonder. This sturgeon season will go down in history as the first time since the late 1940’s that we have witnessed such a change in events.
A five to six foot sturgeon was seen today. It came in 4 feet under the ice and got spooked and took off.
Sturgeon Season ends on Sunday, February 10, 2008. We’ll have to wait and see what the next few days have in store. Opportunity awaits.
Until next time, enjoy the great outdoors!
February 6, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
No sturgeon has been harvested since opening day. There were 7 no-shows today and 25 anglers present for the secondary drawing this morning. Water clarity is still the same - not good.
February 5, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
No sturgeon has been harvested since opening day. There were 12 no-shows today and 26 anglers present for the secondary drawing this morning. Water clarity still is not good.
February 4, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
No sturgeon has been harvested since opening day. There were 5 no-shows today and 43 anglers present for the secondary drawing this morning. Water clarity is not good.
February 3, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
There were no sturgeon harvested today. Two, 25"-30" sturgeon were seen on the south end of the lake.
There were 5 no-shows and 50 anglers present for the secondary drawing.
Water clarity is not good.
Enjoy the Super Bowl!
February 2, 2008 - Ice Fishing Report
There were no sturgeon harvested today.
It was a slow day on the lake overall with only a few pike sighted and couple perch caught.
There were 5 no-shows, and 40 very excited anglers were present at the 10:00am secondary drawing.
Ice conditions are good with 10” to 16” of ice. Water clarity is getting better.
Below are some ice safety tips for our reading pleasure.
Be safe and happy fishing!
BLACK LAKE ICE CONDITIONS REPORT
January 26, 2008
Black Lake is located in Michigan’s North Eastern Lower Peninsula (Cheboygan & Presque Isle Counties). Black Lake is the 8th largest inland lake in Michigan and is 10,130 acres. Black Lake is a popular lake as it is home to the majestic lake sturgeon. Five miles south of Black Lake is Onaway, the “Sturgeon Capitol of Michigan”. The lake also sports a good fishery. Ice anglers can expect to catch sturgeon (2008 SEASON: February 2-10), as well as muskie, pike, walleye, and perch.
Ice conditions continue to improve. Ice thickness ranges from 10 to 12 inches. There are a few slush areas. Fishing has been steady with several real nice muskie harvested. Northern pike and perch have been keeping anglers busy with some reported walleye catches.
Always use caution while going on to frozen lakes. Here are a few safety tips every person venturing out onto frozen lakes should observe:
Leave information about your plans with someone -- where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.
Wear a personal floatation device except when in a vehicle.
Carry a cell phone.
Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
Be extremely cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands, and springs. Current causes ice to be thinner over these areas.
Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is underway, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, you can alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails/screwdrivers, or you can purchase them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.
The Winter Free Fishing Weekend was designed to invite people out to discover the fun and relaxing sport of winter fishing. Free Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to introduce a child to the sport, and show him or her a fun part of Michigan's outdoor heritage. Those willing to try ice fishing techniques, whether it be hand-held lines, tip-ups, or spear fishing, will uncover a new winter adventure that can be fun for the entire family. Anglers will enjoy the opportunity to learn a new winter sport while enjoying Michigan's out-of-doors at the same time.
Sturgeon Hatchery Moving to Kleber Dam
In 1994, the DNR entered into a settlement agreement with the Tower-Kleber hydro-project owners through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process. Among many things, this agreement contained a clause that stated, “…if a rearing facility is necessary for the sturgeon propagation activities of the MDNR, the utility will work with MDNR in constructing the rearing facility.
Since that time, the MDNR Fisheries Division has invested more than $2 million in research and monitoring to investigate the appropriate ways to go about sturgeon rehabilitation.
Over the past couple of years after careful review of the current scientific information, Fisheries Division realized the time was right to develop this sturgeon rearing facility to rehabilitate sturgeon in the Black River system, starting with Black Lake. We have learned much from ongoing research about streamside rearing and are ready to move beyond a research-only phase and into a rehabilitation phase for lake sturgeon.
We are pleased to announce that the resource agencies, MDNR, MDEQ, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the Tower Kleber Limited Partnership have an agreement in principle for this facility and that the Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership will be investing in the building of this facility in the coming year.
The formal FERC process will require filing of the appropriate paperwork and plans in November or December 2007. FERC will then need time to review the specific plans and provide comments back to the agencies and Tower- Kleber Limited Partnership for a finalized agreement for signing. The primary purpose of the facility will be to raise young sturgeon for the purposes of rehabilitation. The facility will consist of two buildings, one for incubation and rearing of the juvenile sturgeon and one for outdoor rearing to stocking size. The outdoor facility will be the facility that was previously located downstream. Unlike other fish, sturgeon require a lot of “floor” space and thus we need a larger area to raise these fish compared to other fish.
The production target will be about 3,300 young sturgeon per year. This annual number is based on a projected number of 65,000 fish stocked over 20 years to achieve a desired level of 2,000 adult sturgeon in Black Lake. This produces a density similar to that of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin.
In addition to the rehabilitation program, the facility will provide a platform for continued research to help us better understand the limitations to sturgeon production and survival and to help us continue improving our management and rehabilitation programs for sturgeon statewide. Timeline: the facility should be up and running by fall 2008, and ready to receive the first round of youngsters in spring 2009.
The agreement for the facility will be in place through the life of the current license which expires in 2024.
SFT anticipates providing outreach, education, perhaps in the form of an interpretive center, and any and all other means necessary and proper to assure management of this facility produces the sustainability in the resource. We would also like the thank Gil and Brenda Archambo for the use of their river property that supported the past three years of rearing.