Michigan Fisheries Division and Sustainability

Accessed from Michigan.gov website

Michigan has six fish hatcheries two in the upper peninsula and four in the lower peninsula.  Michigan DNR is instrumental in sustaining Michigan native fish populations. 

In 2011 the DNR stocked 14,565,641 in Michigan inland lakes, streams and Great Lakes.  Over 14 million fish released that were reared in just six state hatcheries.  The 2011 Fisheries Accomplishment Report states that these fish were released to "re-establish lost, create new, enhance existing, and rehabilitate depressed fisheries."  These 14 million fish were stocked at 661 different sites. 

All six hatcheries have hours when they are open to the public.  Even when it is not visiting hours you can still access the trails located on the hatchery lands.  There are several miles of trails with public access.  The hatcheries also have visitor centers that include information on species, habitat, and watersheds.  I have only visited one hatchery myself and that is the Wolf Lake Hatchery located in Mattawan.  At this hatchery there is a show pond that has a dock that you can walk out on and feed the fish.  My family goes there a few times a year to feed the fish and walk the trails.  



Wolf Lake Hatchery photo accessed from Michigan.gov website

 

The picture to the left shows the Wolf Lake show pond. The building seen in this picture is the picture is the visitor center.  The hatchery holds tours where you can take a look behind the scenes to see the actual operations that take place.  This is a great educational trip for everyone.  My son especially enjoys seeing the eggs at the different stages of development.  There are also many events that take place at the hatchery throughout the year.

Producing fish for replenishment is not the only goal of Michigan Fisheries.  Habitat is also a focus.  In 2011 the DNR Fisheries Division was involved in 17 dam removal projects that produced 167 miles of rehabilitated stream habitat.  Ten other projects were successful in reconnecting 161 miles of river and stream habitats.  This is huge in helping species that have been damaged due to population isolation. 

 

The Fisheries division has many more responsibilities than just stocking fish and managing habitat but they are too many to go over in this posting.  Some number that are really impressive is that there are only 165 full-time and 40 seasonal employees working in the Michigan Fisheries Division.  With so many lakes, rivers, and streams to manage and doing it successfully with so few employees that is fantastic.  Michigan has 205 employees in the Fisheries division yet sport fishing in Michigan contributes over $2.5 billion annually to Michigan economy.  So if you are out fishing and a DNR officer stops and asks to see your license give him or her a thank you for all they do to sustain our native fish populations. 

 

Accessed from Michigan.gov website