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| Grant Township, Cheboygan County, Michigan www.granttwp.com |
| Black Lake and the Vanishing Walleye Population paraphrased from the Spring, 2010 Black Lake News, produced by the Black Lake Association |
The mysterious decline in the Black Lake walleye fishery has left anglers frustrated. While the tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources have invested significant time and effort monitoring Black Lake, the system is large and complex and resources are
scarce for these organizations. Enter LSSU and Dr. Geoff Steinhart, a fisheries professor with over 15 year of experience in fisheries science. The Black
Lake Association (BLA) and Hammond Bay Area Angles Association (HBAAA) have agreed to a partnership with LSSU for conducting research on
Black Lake.
"I was excited with the opportunity to do research on Black Lake." said Geoff. "All our students are required to conduct senior thesis projects, and they
love the chance to do meaningful research that helps the resource and the users. And our students will have another opportunity to learn about
science, management and outreach."
Through partnership, the BLA and the HBAAA will provide funding for approved senior thesis research projects related to walleye reproduction, growth
and survival i Black Lake. In return, LSSU students gain the opportunity to conduct meaningful research. Examples of potential projects include:
determining the extend and locations of walleye spawning; examining walleye diets and prey availability; studying northern pike diets (a predator of
walleye) and testing for potential disease or nutrient deficiencies in young walleye.
"While there are no guarantees that we will find the "smoking gun", we will increase our knowledge of Black Lake." Geoff continues. Geoff had a similar
partnership with a UP sportsmen club, where LSSU students wrote management plans that are frequently implemented on club waters.
Upon completion of the project, an LSSU student will present the research findings at a Black Lake Association meeting.
In 2009, the Black Lake Association purchased 10,000 small walleye fingerlings, 6" - 8" in length. They were released at the Onaway State Park and the
Corbat Road Access. This action brings the total number of walleye stocked to 20,000. The results of these plantings has been very encouraging. The
DNR conducts an annual fish survey every fall, usually in September. The past three years, they have found no young class walleye in Black Lake. This
past year, 2009, the DNR reported six young class walleye! There have also been reports from ice fishermen that numerous under-sized walley are
being caught and released.
Department of Natural Resources have invested significant time and effort monitoring Black Lake, the system is large and complex and resources are
scarce for these organizations. Enter LSSU and Dr. Geoff Steinhart, a fisheries professor with over 15 year of experience in fisheries science. The Black
Lake Association (BLA) and Hammond Bay Area Angles Association (HBAAA) have agreed to a partnership with LSSU for conducting research on
Black Lake.
"I was excited with the opportunity to do research on Black Lake." said Geoff. "All our students are required to conduct senior thesis projects, and they
love the chance to do meaningful research that helps the resource and the users. And our students will have another opportunity to learn about
science, management and outreach."
Through partnership, the BLA and the HBAAA will provide funding for approved senior thesis research projects related to walleye reproduction, growth
and survival i Black Lake. In return, LSSU students gain the opportunity to conduct meaningful research. Examples of potential projects include:
determining the extend and locations of walleye spawning; examining walleye diets and prey availability; studying northern pike diets (a predator of
walleye) and testing for potential disease or nutrient deficiencies in young walleye.
"While there are no guarantees that we will find the "smoking gun", we will increase our knowledge of Black Lake." Geoff continues. Geoff had a similar
partnership with a UP sportsmen club, where LSSU students wrote management plans that are frequently implemented on club waters.
Upon completion of the project, an LSSU student will present the research findings at a Black Lake Association meeting.
In 2009, the Black Lake Association purchased 10,000 small walleye fingerlings, 6" - 8" in length. They were released at the Onaway State Park and the
Corbat Road Access. This action brings the total number of walleye stocked to 20,000. The results of these plantings has been very encouraging. The
DNR conducts an annual fish survey every fall, usually in September. The past three years, they have found no young class walleye in Black Lake. This
past year, 2009, the DNR reported six young class walleye! There have also been reports from ice fishermen that numerous under-sized walley are
being caught and released.
| The Black Lake Association Fisheries Committee Plants 10,000 walleye Fingerlings |