DNR posts bird-hunting report

Grouse and woodcock season off to a great start

A month into grouse and woodcock season, early reports from hunters suggest that the season has started out with a bang.

“Avid grouse hunters are indicating the season appears good, dependent on location,” said Department of Natural Resources upland game bird biologist Al Stewart. “This earlier part of the season always proves to be a unique challenge, with leaves still on the trees, but leaves are now starting to fall and the woodcock migration has started.”

Michigan’s small game hunting season, which includes grouse season, opens annually Sept. 15. Woodcock season varies from year to year, due to the woodcock’s federal migratory bird status, and this year opened Sept. 19. 

“Some areas of the Upper Peninsula are reporting flushing six grouse an hour, with woodcock being four to five per hour,” said Stewart. “Northern Lower Peninsula flushes are more sporadic, and everyone’s experiences are always different. In the end we look back at all reports, on a larger scale, to see trends.”

Since the 1950s, information from hunters has helped the DNR monitor grouse and woodcock populations and build reports. Hunters interested in contributing to these efforts can become grouse and woodcock cooperators by tracking and reporting their hunting seasons. 

Michigan is a national leader in excellent grouse habitat. Aspen, a tree that is key to the success of grouse and woodcock, is abundant in northern Michigan. Active timber management continuously creates the young forests that many different wildlife species enjoy, while providing needed timber products and jobs for rural economies.

“We are hearing that some areas known as prime spots for grouse are lacking the normal hawthorn and dogwood fruit grouse prefer in the fall,” said Stewart. “Look for areas with fruit when seeking grouse. For woodcock, focus on areas of alder and dense young aspen, where the ground has good moisture.”

Looking to give upland bird hunting a try? Seeking a new location to explore? Try one of Michigan’s 14 GEMS. GEMS, or Grouse Enhanced Management Sites, are premier, remote grouse-hunting locations with hunter walking trails winding through great habitat. Hunter walking trails are for anyone with mobility challenges, or even those more comfortable walking a trail than blazing through the brush. Visit the GEMS website for more information, including individual maps of the GEMS and businesses offering discounts to GEMS hunters.  

All that is needed to hunt small game is a base license and, for woodcock, the free woodcock stamp.  Grouse season runs through Nov. 14 and then again Dec. 1 to Jan. 1.  Woodcock season ends Nov. 2.

Heading to the Soo next week? Check this out...

Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge personnel will celebrate the completion of the 16-month-long, $8.9 million (USD) toll plaza project with a ribbon-cutting and a public open house next week. The ribbon-cutting and plaza dedication for invited guests will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The public open house will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.

             

The ribbon-cutting celebration will include the raising of the U.S. and Canadian flags, singing of both national anthems by the binational Sweet Adelines choir, Native American drummers, comments from dignitaries, unveiling of the plaza dedication plaque, and project tours. The public open house will also include project tours.

           

The new administration building and seven toll lanes replaced the 53-year-old building and five toll lanes built in 1962 as part of the original bridge project. The new plaza will improve customer safety by providing more southbound traffic merge space between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection booths and bridge toll booths. The project also provides a dedicated customer service area and parking.

            

"The journey to this celebration began seven years ago when we commissioned the initial study to identify the project scope and cost," said Peter Petainen, International Bridge Administration (IBA) chief financial officer. "From that, we put in place the plan to fund the project from our financial reserves and the project came in on budget and on time."

            

In conjunction with the project, the IBA also implemented a new toll software computer system. Installation of the system software and hardware was coordinated with the construction to minimize customer inconvenience. The new system replaced a 15-year-old computer system that no longer had programming support. To mark the celebration, the IBA will be rolling out the last of the customer service features supported by the new system. Beginning Oct. 21, customer access to online accounts, automatic account replenishment via credit card, and credit card usage in the office will be available.

             

"This has been a very successful project despite its complexity in terms of maintaining toll traffic and bridge operations," said Karl Hansen, bridge engineer. "The project construction team consisting of Devere Construction and Northwest Design Group did a great job helping us minimize the impact on our customers."

             

The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority Board will meet in the board room of the new facility for their quarterly meeting Oct. 22 to coincide with the celebration.

            

"The public open house is to express our gratitude to our customers for their patience and understanding during this project and the transition from the old toll system and booths to the new ones," said Phil Becker, IBA general manager. "Our toll staff did an excellent job providing exceptional customer service throughout."

            

The operation and maintenance of the International Bridge is totally self-funded, primarily through bridge tolls. It is not subsidized by any state, provincial or federal government entity. For a complete list of International Bridge tolls, visit the IBA website at www.michigan.gov/IBA.

             

For more information on the International Bridge, please visit www.saultbridge.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/saultbridge.

Possession limits change + this week's fishing report

Attention Anglers:
The combined possession limit for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and flathead catfish which limited the daily possession limit to five fish has been removed effective immediately.  Anglers are now be able to possess up to five (5) bass (largemouth and smallmouth combined), up to five (5) walleye, up to five (5) flathead catfish, and up to two (2) northern pike in their daily possession limit. These species will no longer be managed under a combined possession limit and now will be managed under separate possession limits resulting in more fish for anglers to keep in a day's fishing.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Copper Harbor:  Splake fishing has been very slow with the occasional sub-legal fish here and there and few keepers.  The fall colors were at their peak.

Menominee River:  A recent survey of the river did show a few Chinook salmon along with some pink salmon, brown trout, steelhead, walleye and smallmouth bass but catch rates were low.  

Little Bay De Noc:  Attention Anglers:  The zone where only one walleye greater than 23 inches may be retained in the daily possession limit has been expanded south from the Ford River to the Bark River. Therefore effective immediately, no more than one walleye over 23 inches may be possessed in the daily limit north of a line drawn from Peninsula Point Lighthouse to the mouth of the Bark River. Walleye anglers reported few catches even in the southern waters.  Some fish were caught around the “Black Bottom” when using stick baits or crawler harnesses in 20 to 30 feet from the “Narrows” to Gladstone Beach in 14 to 28 feet.  Perch anglers reported good catches when they could find them.  Most were fishing near the Day’s River with minnows in ten to 25 feet.  Good pike action at Kipling, the Day’s River, Gladstone Beach, “Black Bottom”, Escanaba ship docks and the Escanaba Yacht Harbor when using spinners, crank baits and spoons in eight to 22 feet.  Smallmouth bass anglers reported fair catches off Hunters Point with plastics in ten to 20 feet.    

Big Bay De Noc:  Has smallmouth bass fishing.  Strong winds have kept many from fishing the Garden Bluff area, out by Snake Island and Snail Shell Harbor.  Catch rates were good at times but a good number of fish were undersize.  Anglers are using minnows or plastics 15 to 35 feet down along the break.  A handful of perch anglers reported a few catches off Garden Bluff when using minnows in and around 40 feet.  

Manistique River:  Has a few Chinook salmon here and there.    

Marquette:  Many anglers had luck catching coho in the Chocolay River.  They were using spinners from the step hole and the platform off M-28.  The mouth of the Carp River is also good fishing spot for coho and steelhead.  Anglers are using spawn bags or casting spinners out from the rocks.  Fishing was slow on the Dead River.  

Au Train Lake:  Had slow walleye fishing but anglers were still out using crank baits and artificial minnows along the West Bay.  There was some good perch fishing along the south end of the West Bay.  Anglers were drifting or jigging with live bait.  A good number of pike are still being caught on artificial baits along the north end.  Construction at the boat launch area will start on October 19 until the first week of November, 2015.  

Munising:  Had few anglers and few reports.  A couple splake and coho were reported by shore anglers casting spoons.  Construction on the Anna River dock has been completed.  

Grand Marais:  Had no report as few boat and shore anglers were out.

Drummond Island:  Anglers were finally able to get out and target Maxton Bay and Scott Bay for yellow perch.  Those that had the most success used minnows near the weed beds on the southwest side of Rutland Island in 12 to 14 feet and in Maxton Bay when drifting worms or shiners in 12 to 15 feet.  Some say the bigger perch 9 to 11 inches were only hitting the bigger minnows.   Good pike action on the southeast side of Grape Island.  Try just off the weed beds in six to eight feet with hammered four inch red and silver spoons in the early morning.  Walleye are still being caught around Peck Island and Scott Island in 12 to 14 feet when trolling bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses.  

Cedarville & Hessel: Pike fishing picked up once again off the dock in the Hessel Marina, Viking Channel, Snow Channel and Musky Bay from the Middle Entrance west to Duck Bay.  Chubs worked best.  Perch fishing was quite good in Snows Channel, Middle Entrance, Viking Channel and out near the #11 Green Can in Cedarville Bay.    

Carp River:  Had a very slow salmon run which is just about over for this year.  Nunn’s Creek was the same way.  One might want to try the deeper holes for river run rainbow trout.  Anglers should enjoy the new boat launch.  A few walleye were caught in the Pine River.     

DNR assists with forest management costs

This is a short update from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about private forest land issues. We hope that this information will help you manage, protect and enjoy your forest.  

Natural Resources Conservation Service Financial Assistance

Did you know that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial assistance for forest landowners? The payments could cover 75 percent of your costs. The following is some basic information about the process to get funding for your forest conservation activities:

• Conservation planning: This is the first step when enrolling in NRCS programs. Forest landowners can use their Forest Stewardship Plan, Tree Farm plan, or a NRCS Forest Management Plan to identify “resource concerns” like soil erosion, water quality, wildlife habitat or forest productivity problems. These plans should also identify possible “conservation practices” like stream crossings, forest trails, tree planting, brush management, and forest stand improvement to address the resource concerns in your forest. 
• Applying for conservation programs: Forest landowners can enroll in NRCS conservation programs at their local Service Center. Applications for NRCS programs are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. The NRCS does announce “cut-off dates,” usually in the winter or spring, so that submitted applications can be ranked and selected for funding each fiscal year. Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply.
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP is the primary program that provides financial assistance for private forest land. A forest landowner can apply for EQIP financial assistance for many conservation practices to address the resource concerns identified in their forest management plans. Applications for EQIP are selected for funding on a competitive basis, and applications are selected that provide the most conservation benefits. The Michigan NRCS has an EQIP funding pool specifically for forest landowners.
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP provides payments to forest landowners for both maintaining their existing conservation activities and for implementing additional enhancements. Payments are determined by the level of resource conservation in your forest. Program contracts extend for five years and can be renewed if the landowner establishes additional conservation enhancements. The Michigan NRCS has a CSP funding pool specifically for forest landowners. To see if CSP is right for you, fill out the Self-Screening Checklist. 

Forest Facts

Did you know that the Department of Natural Resources manages more Michigan forest land than the U.S. Forest Service? The DNR manages 4.2 million acres of forest land and the Forest Service manages 2.7 million acres. Private forest landowners in Michigan manage more than the state and federal governments combined – more than 12.6 million acres! The state’s private and public forests support rural economies, allow access for recreation and hunting, produce clean air and water, and provide many other economic and ecosystem services.

Important Dates

• Oct. 28: Governor’s 2015 Forest Products Summit in East Lansing 
• Nov. 6: Michigan Forest Association board meeting at Hartwick Pines State Park
• Dec. 4: Michigan Tree Farm Committee meeting in St. Ignace

Questions? 

To learn more about additional programs available to assist private forest landowners, or to find the DNR service forester in your area, go to www.michigan.gov/privateforestland.

Lake sturgeon releases noted

Seasonal lake sturgeon releases put more than 6,300 fish into Michigan waters

Michigan Department of Natural Resources and several partners released more than 6,300 juvenile lake sturgeon into various public waters across Michigan this summer and fall in an effort to rehabilitate this culturally significant fish species.

The table below shows which agencies stocked fish, how many fish were stocked, and the date and location of each stocking effort.

Agency	Number of Fish Stocked	Date Stocked	Location Stocked
DNR	663	July 29-Sept. 5	Otsego Lake (Otsego County)
DNR and Michigan State University	523	Aug. 22-Sept. 25	Black Lake (Cheboygan County)
Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians	494	Sept. 10	Burt Lake/Cheboygan River (Cheboygan County)
DNR and Michigan State University	500	Aug. 22-Sept. 8	Mullet Lake (Cheboygan County)
DNR and Michigan State University	53	Sept. 8	Sturgeon River (Cheboygan County)
DNR	1,067	Aug. 31-Sept. 14	Cedar River (Menominee County)
DNR and Gun Lake Tribe	12	July 28	Kalamazoo River (Allegan County)
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians	241	Sept. 12	Big Manistee River (Manistee County)
DNR and Michigan State University	757	July 20-Sept. 28	Upper Black River (Cheboygan County)
DNR	1,180	Sept. 4-25	Whitefish River (Delta County)
DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	820	Aug. 24	Ontonagon River (Ontonagon County)
Total Lake Sturgeon Stocked: 6,310

All juvenile lake sturgeon were collected from the wild last spring and reared in streamside facilities until they reached at least 7 inches or larger in size. All fish are tagged prior to being released into their respective rivers.

“Many of these stocking efforts were public events that shined a spotlight on how important lake sturgeon are to our state,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “Michigan has a long history with lake sturgeon, and working with our partners helps us to move forward toward protecting them for the future.”

These annual stocking efforts are critical to restoring the state’s lake sturgeon population. Along with the DNR and tribes, it takes the work of many partners to secure funding and resources to make restoration of the population possible. These partners include: the DNR, Black Lake chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Kalamazoo River chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish band of Potawatomi Indians, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan State University, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.

For more information about lake sturgeon visit michigan.gov/sturgeon.