DNR updates on stocking, surveys and trout streams in SW Michigan

By Jeff Brooks Gillies • February 25, 2012

The Department of Natural Resources recently released a list of updates for fisheries management plans in southwest Michigan.

All river and stream related items are listed below, most of which are updates on stocking or plans for fish community surveys. A few items of intrigue include a plan for musky in the Grand in Ottawa County to check gizzard shad populations, a proposal to shift coho salmon stocking in the Grand away from Lansing, and the removal of two streams — Blue Jay Creek in Berrien County and Spring Creek in St. Joseph County — from the list designated trout streams for a lack of trout, of all things.

Allegan County

The Kalamazoo River will be sampled in April to determine the presence of spawning lake sturgeon as part of a long-term population rehabilitation effort. Available sturgeon eggs and larvae will be collected and raised in a streamside rearing facility in New Richmond. The Duck Lake Drain fish community will be surveyed as part of a random stream status and trends program.

Barry County

The Morgan Dam is scheduled for removal on Highbanks Creek, and floodplain restoration work will begin on Quaker Brook.

Berrien County

Blue Jay Creek in the Galien River watershed will be removed from the designated trout stream list due to a lack of trout. The Paw Paw River will continue to be stocked annually with yearling steelhead and with fall fingerling steelhead and coho salmon when available. Fisheries surveys will be completed at several sites on the St. Joseph River as part of a multi-year walleye population evaluation.

Calhoun County

A fisheries survey will be conducted on Nottawa Creek. Natural resource damage assessments associated with the oil spill will continue on the Kalamazoo River and Talmadge Creek. A rock ramp will be constructed on the Garfield Lake outlet control structure to provide better fish passage. Brown trout will continue to be stocked in Dickinson Creek at the Historic Bridge County Park.

Clinton County

A fish community survey is scheduled for Peet Creek and the Maple River.

Ingham County

The majority of the coho salmon stocked in the Grand River in Lansing are proposed to be moved downstream to improve survival. A public meeting will be conducted during the summer of 2012.

Ionia County

A fish community survey will be conducted on the Maple River. Steelhead will continue to be stocked in Prairie and Fish creeks, and the brown trout strain will change from Wild Rose to Gilchrist Creek in Fish Creek.

Kalamazoo County

Natural resource damages associated with the Kalamazoo River oil spill will continue to be assessed. Portage Creek will be surveyed to assess stream habitat improvements near Alcott Street.

Kent County

Spring Brook, Flat River and Bear Creek will be surveyed as part of a status and trends program. The Flat River and Rogue River will continue to be stocked with steelhead. Brown trout stocking will be discontinued in Buck Creek due to lack of survival and angler effort.

Ottawa County

Crockery Creek will continue to be stocked with steelhead. Walleye will continue to be stocked in Lake Macatawa and the Grand River. The Great Lakes strain of muskellunge will be stocked when available in Lake Macatawa and the lower Grand River to take advantage of over-abundant gizzard shad and to provide a sport fishery.

St. Joseph County

Fish community surveys are scheduled for Lake Templene and the Pigeon River. Spring Creek will be removed from the designated trout streams list and Type 4 trout regulations due to a lack of trout.

Van Buren County

Walleye stocking will continue in Maple Lake and the Black River. The East Branch Paw Paw River will be stocked with brown trout.