Hamilton Reef
06-21-2007, 02:13 PM
Counting fish: DNR surveys Pere Marquette Lake to determine fish populations
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=36585
06/20/07 BRIAN MULHERIN - DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Pere Marquette Lake is undergoing a fish survey this week thanks to a crew from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
DNR Fisheries Biologist Mark Tonello said the reason for the survey is simple — the lake is due.
“It’s never really got a full fish survey for a long time,” Tonello said.
Tuesday’s netting with gill and Fwyke nets revealed a few surprises — nine walleye between 28 and 31 inches and a brown trout near the 15-pound mark.
The fish were caught in the southern third the lake.
But it’s not just gamefish Tonello is looking for.
“We want to look at the whole fish community of Pere Marquette Lake,” Tonello said. “Game species, non-game species, the whole nine yards. Forage, we want to see what kind of forage we’ve got in there. When we do get game species like bass, walleye, panfish, we’ll be able to look at growth rates and see how well they’re growing.”
Fisheries technicians release most of the fish alive, taking just a scale sample. But some fish do die in the overnight gill net sets.
Among the other highlights of Tuesday’s netting were a 20-inch gizzard shad, some pumpkinseeds and a handful of nice keeper-sized pike. Some perch up to 11 inches were caught as well. Pere Marquette Lake is typically viewed as a top-notch pike lake, a very good spring smallmouth lake and a good perch fishery.
Netting will continue through Thursday.
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=36585
06/20/07 BRIAN MULHERIN - DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Pere Marquette Lake is undergoing a fish survey this week thanks to a crew from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
DNR Fisheries Biologist Mark Tonello said the reason for the survey is simple — the lake is due.
“It’s never really got a full fish survey for a long time,” Tonello said.
Tuesday’s netting with gill and Fwyke nets revealed a few surprises — nine walleye between 28 and 31 inches and a brown trout near the 15-pound mark.
The fish were caught in the southern third the lake.
But it’s not just gamefish Tonello is looking for.
“We want to look at the whole fish community of Pere Marquette Lake,” Tonello said. “Game species, non-game species, the whole nine yards. Forage, we want to see what kind of forage we’ve got in there. When we do get game species like bass, walleye, panfish, we’ll be able to look at growth rates and see how well they’re growing.”
Fisheries technicians release most of the fish alive, taking just a scale sample. But some fish do die in the overnight gill net sets.
Among the other highlights of Tuesday’s netting were a 20-inch gizzard shad, some pumpkinseeds and a handful of nice keeper-sized pike. Some perch up to 11 inches were caught as well. Pere Marquette Lake is typically viewed as a top-notch pike lake, a very good spring smallmouth lake and a good perch fishery.
Netting will continue through Thursday.