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| Winter 2004 | ~ Official Publication of Sturgeon for Tomorrow ~ | Volume 6, Issue 1 | ||||||
Page One2003 Field Season ReviewThere were two spawning runs observed during the 2003 field season. Spawning Run One: 4/29/03 -5/4/03 and Spawning Run Two: 5/17/03-5/19/03. One hundred twenty four sturgeon were captured; 80 from the first spawning run and 44 from the second. Female sturgeon that spawned during the first run was larger on average for each of the three size parameters (weight, total length, and girth) than females that spawned during the second. Drift net larval sampling was conducted on the Upper Black River to quantify out-migrating larval sturgeon. Larval drift were detected 18 days post-spawn. Two distinct pulses of larval sturgeon drift were observed. The two pulses overlapped for several evenings but were easily distinguished by differences in the body size of the individuals in drift (i.e., much smaller individuals in pulse 2). Similar to previous seasons, we observed a discernable peak in the numbers of drifting larvae within a particular sampling evening (11:00p.m.-1:00a.m.). A total of 16,417 lake sturgeon larvae were collected. 431 larvae from group one and 15,986 from group two. Larval sampling was generally conducted during a 5-hour period, beginning at dusk and ending in the early morning (2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.). All sturgeon larvae were immediately placed in a separate container and transported to the flow-through tanks located at the nearby field station. All larvae were transported from the field station to Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery for rearing.
This exclusive, one-of-a-kind venture is the outcome of the cooperative efforts of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University. The "Head Start Program" is the first in the world to collect larval lake sturgeon, transfer them to a hatchery for nurturing and reintroduced to area streams. The reintroduction of these young-of-the-year lake sturgeon in an ongoing effort to rehabilitate the lake sturgeon populations of Black, Burt and Mullett Lake. Thirty fingerlings remain at Wolf Lake Hatchery with the intentions of conducting telemetry studies in field season 2004. Bank Stabilization Proposed to Protect Sturgeon Spawning HabitatA task group has been organized to determine if there is sufficient local interest and support to construct erosion control and public access projects on the Upper Black River. The projects are needed to control soil erosion into the water, provide public access while protecting sturgeon spawning habitat. The project sites were previously identified in the Black Lake Watershed Stewardship Initiative, Non-point Source Pollution Management Plan (June 2002). The proposed projects are in proximity to some of the last remaining sturgeon spawning habitat in northern Michigan. Several grant proposals have been submitted with hopes of funding beginning in 2004-2005. SFT has pledged hands on - in kind support for these projects as we recognize the enormous benefits to lake sturgeon rehabilitation and recovery. From Our PresidentHappy 2004 Everybody. Let this be the best year yet!Over the years we have learned much about the lake sturgeon; biology, assessment tools and techniques, genetics, life stages habitat requirements, multi-agency management issues and much more. We have also learned many lessons in leadership. This is what I feel lead to write about in this newsletter edition. I have observed three common thrusts within this organization to which we have achieved distinction: engaged people, perpetual innovation, and strategic execution. Engaged people. It isn't enough to be passionate. Passion without appropriate focus is fanaticism. Engaged people have become involved with all aspects of the movement. You are enthusiastic to complete your tasks and have been compelled to do so with panache. Engaged people work smarter, serve better and are always coming up with fresh new ideas. Perpetual innovation. This includes both incremental and revolutionary improvements. The status quo is a myth. We have those among us who are visionary and look for the writing on the wall. Innovation must be applied to everything: strategic planning, measuring progress and even how we think, and lead. Strategic execution. Business dominance (be it profit or non-profit) is not about how much you know, but how well you apply and execute what you know. It's a matter of IQ. That doesn't stand for "intelligence quotient" but rather "implementation quotient", and that is the difference between common knowledge and consistent application. Sometimes it is necessary to take a calculated risk, provided the odds are in your favor. Leadership within this organization is diligent to make sure that elements of a high-performance organization are the primary objectives to achieve our mission. We strive to provide a sense of purpose, focused action, and clear communications. In many ways, life and leadership is all about communicating. And nowhere is it more critical to be a strong communicator than in leading people and organizations. The best leaders have the ability to effectively explain organizational fundamentals, strategy, alternatives, challenges, and action plans in ways that tap into their organizations sense of meaning. Many people think they are communicating when they provide information in the form of memos, e-mails, reports, and the like. But they're not. Information is giving out; communication is getting through. As you can imagine, there is a world of difference between giving out facts, figures and other material and actually getting through to people. Our progress is confirmation we are getting through. There are many opportunities on the horizon for SFT and we are seeking out the next generation of leaders to thrust the organization to the next level. These opportunities necessitate matching tasks with people who will exercise their talents and skills for the greater good of the organization. These subjects include public relations, education, grant writing, strategic planning, volunteer coordinator, committee member, and research. The future will be anything but boring. I hope you share my enthusiasm for the challenges and opportunities because as an organization we will have plenty of them. Aim higher than excellence in your leadership endeavors--go for distinction! I hope to hear form some of you!
Other NewsMUCC's Tracks Magazine Publish Lake Sturgeon MagazineSturgeon for Tomorrow has teamed up with the Michigan United Conservation Club's Tracks Magazine to publish a lake sturgeon magazine for children. The January 2004 issue will be dedicated to educating youth on lake sturgeon and their habitat. It is important that our kids understand the role of the Great lakes largest freshwater fish, as well as related subjects including Great Lakes ecosystems, fisheries management and water zones. Focusing on these topics presents an opportunity for Sturgeon for Tomorrow to educate young readers on the important role in conserving sturgeon and improving their habitat. Tracks Magazine is distributed nationwide and is read by nearly 50,000 kids. Sponsoring part of the lake sturgeon issue supports our conservation efforts, and will provide our organization great exposure throughout the country. Our sponsorship includes an article describing our organization mission and importance within the Great Lakes Basin. We will also receive 1,000 copies of the magazine to hand out when facilitating field trips, tours and classroom visits. Did You Know... Black Lake Tidbits
World Sturgeon Conservation Society (WSCS) Debuts
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On October 23, 5,605 five to 7 inch fall fingerlings were reintroduced to three Cheboygan County rivers; 1,300 went into the Sturgeon River (Burt Lake), 1,300 went into the Pigeon River (Mullett Lake) and 3,005 returned home to the Upper Black River (Black Lake) at Red Bridge.
Brenda Archambo,
The Black Lake Watershed is large, encompassing 547 square miles or 350,000 acres. It comprises 37.7 percent of the 1,461-square-mile Cheboygan River Watershed. Black Lake's Watershed is 35.04 times larger than the surface area of the Lake (a ratio of 35.04:1, or simply 35.04). This is fairly high for large lakes in Northern Michigan. For example, the watershed-to-surface area ratio for Burt Lake is 14.8 and for Mullett Lake is only 9.|
Rick Ackerberg and Kathy Bezotte |
Jim Gahn Construction Gary Goodall, I and Gary Goodall, II H & D Power and Sport Dave Kujawa Builders Mankin's Fresh Catch McCall Construction Todd and Donna Merchant Michigan Hydraulic Dredging, Inc. Charlie and Trish Moyer MSC Blinds and Shades Nick Posak Gerald and Wendy Neff |
Norton and Associates Parkside Country Store Parrott's Outpost Glen and Tammy Read Russell Builders Paul Stevenson Step Inn Restaurant Straits Area Federal Credit Union Tom's IGA Craig Welke and Anne Marie Farrell Bob and Jacki Williams Jay & Mary Kay Woiderski |
~ Contributors ~
| Triple D Ace Hardware Rick Ackerberg/Kathy Bezotte Senator Jason Allen Allison/Ashley's Summer House Art/Patty Archambo Gil/Brenda Archambo John/Barb Archambo Scott/Beth Archambo AutoCraft Publishing Samantha Baker BC Pizza-Cheboygan Becoming An Outdoors Woman Program Phil Bellrose Beths Flowers Big Bear Adventures Billies Two Black Jack-Indian River Blaskowski Feed & Seed Brass Rail Burt Lake Preservation Association Brewbaker's Furniture Candy Corner Windjammer Gifts Captain's Treasures Carter's Food-Cheboygan CarQuest Cheboygan Auto Cheboygan Crafts and Ceramics Cheboygan Daily Tribune Cheboygan Lumber Company Christian Corner Citizen's National Bank City Barber Shop Dairy Queen-Cheboygan Dar's Hallmark Dave Cowper Billy/Dona Crist Deja Vu Del Sol Dollar Bills The Depot Dog House Diner Dunham's Sports Family Video Jim/Ruby Flewelling |
Patrick/Nichole Forsythe Bob Garner Goldenrod Great Lakes Taxidermy Ferrell Gas Frank's Party Supply Hair Trends Rick Herring Hoffman Hardware Holiday Gas Station Holiday Inn Express Mike Holmes Hostettler's Office Supply Huron Distributors Indian River Chamber of Commerce Indian River Golf Club Indian River Country Cabins Indian River Lighting Johnson's Studio KFC-Cheboygan K-Mart-Cheboygan Christopher Knight Kretchman's Koffee House Carol Krueger Marianne Kuzimski Joe Lathrop Linde Furniture Log Mark Book Store Lorenzo's Mackinaw Clothing Mackinaw Crossings & Center Stage Theatre Mark Makima Bob Maxwell Dock/Gail McCall Michigan Outdoor News Michigan Peddler Modern Pharmacy Jerry/Wendy Neff New Creation Hair Salon New Image Hair Fashion's New Way Stoves Northstar Broadcasting O'Brien's Treasure Chest Gift's Outdoor Adventure Store Part-T-Port |
Putnam Hitch Products John/Patty Rash Ratcliff's Salon Glen/Tammy Read Reusch Jewelers Tom Richards Penny Rode Jim/Karen Russell The Rusty Pump Shanty Boy Shepler's Mackinaw Island Ferry Bill/Elda Shull Kathy Sides Kregg Smith Specialized Engraving Speedway Sports Starline Ferry Stafford's Pier Straitsland Resorter Subway-Cheboygan Sun Shop Tanning & Nails Jerry Taylor Teysen's Gift Shop The Christmas Store The Inn Between The Summer Store Tiki Fish Market Topinabee Market True North Books & Gifts UAW Family Education Center UAW Golf Club Joe/Michelle Verduce Rev. Mark/Candy Viau Viau's Clothing White Star Snowmobile Auctions Wicks and Pics Bob/Jacki Williams Doug/Ellie Wilson Jason/Stacy Woiderski Jay/Mary Kay Woiderski Wal-Mart-Cheboygan WrightWay Homes Todd/Sandy Zeller & anyone else regrettably omitted |
Programs & Committees
We have strategically planned and organized the following programs and committees to aid in the rehabiliation and recovery of lake sturgeon. We are seeking individuals to participate in the following committees:
- Board of Directors
- Education
- Membership
- Public Relations
- Sturgeon Guarding Program
- Research
If you would like to become more involved and utilize your skills and talents, please contact SFT.
