Michigan is known nationally for its excellent fishing opportunities. There aren't many states where within an hour's drive world class fishing for steelhead, bass, carp, muskellunge, walleye, and resident trout exist. Michigan's trout fisheries are arguably the best of all and it's no accident that Trout Unlimited was founded along the banks of Michigan's Au Sable River. The trout fishing experience in Michigan expands well beyond the act of catching a trout. State agencies, non-profit organizations such as Trout Unlimited, fishing organizations and interested citizens have all committed to protecting Michigan's trout fisheries. Advisory groups such as Michigan's Coldwater Resources Steering Committee have been established to help guide management of our trout fisheries. These "advisors" help fishery managers identify management impediments and provide recommendations on management direction. This partnership is and will continue to be the nexus between the State's public trust responsibility and its plethora of fishing interests. While boasting some of the best fishing in the world, Michigan's waters are also the most invaded by non-native species. From sea lamprey to zebra mussels the quality of Michigan's fisheries are constantly under attack. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant threat to Michigan's ecosystems. These AIS have life history traits that give them the ability to reproduce in large numbers, adapt to new environments, and out-compete native species. These life-history traits allow AIS to dominate a community and cause ecological, economic, and public health concerns within the introduced ecosystem.
New Zealand mudsnails underwaterDespite numerous AIS establishments in the Great Lakes and inland lakes, the threat of AIS to Michigan's trout waters has received relatively little attention until recent years. However, in 2011 the risk hit close to home when our neighbor state of Wisconsin documented the first occurrence of a species that has the ability to negatively affect cold-water rivers and streams, the New Zealand Mudsnail (NZMS). New Zealand Mudsnails change the composition of aquatic communities by reaching high densities. At high densities these invasive species out-compete native species that are an important food source for native trout. Furthermore, NZMS not only displace food sources, but have no nutritional value for trout species that may feed upon them, which has implications for the condition of native fish.
The current threat to our trout streams are not limited to NZMS, Didymo (commonly referred to as "rock snot") is an algae that has the ability to carpet stream bottoms and severely impacts trout habitat in portions of the United States. In particular, Didymo has dominated stream bottoms affecting habitats utilized by fish for feeding and spawning. Didymo is impacting popular trout fishing rivers in the east, south and western states. Furthermore, one can imagine the difference in the overall fishing experience between rivers choked out by "rock snot" and say the Au Sable, Pere Marquette, or any of our other prized trout waters.
To date, neither NZMS nor Didymo have been detected within Michigan waters. However, the risk of spreading AIS is linked with the movement of thousands of anglers across the country seeking out their next prized catch. During these types of trips anglers often unknowingly visit infested waters where AIS have the ability to attach to waders and/or other gear and "hitch-a-ride" to the next destination. However, these unwanted hitchhikers can be stopped in their tracks when gear is properly cleaned. There are research papers describing the spread of AIS and various chemicals or cleaning agents and soak times required to kill AIS. However, all we need to exhibit is some common sense and the risk of spread can be greatly reduced. For most of us, when we are invited into someone's home we have the common courtesy to take our shoes off or to clean them so we don't track dirt into the home. This simple concept can and should be applied to our fishing gear such as waders and boots. Michigan's rivers are homes and as such we should be respectful of these homes and clean our gear before entering them. Simply put, keep your gear clean and help protect our world class fisheries.
The Michigan DNR-Fisheries Division as well as several other DNR Divisions are committed to preventing further invasion and spread of AIS. Awareness campaigns that educate anglers on specific steps to reduce the risk of AIS are currently being implemented. Boat washes are becoming more prevalent across the state. Groups such as the Coldwater Resources Steering Committee are a perfect forum to help foster partnerships to help spread awareness on AIS. The most recent initiative that MDNR-Fisheries Division and partner groups are spearheading is the development of wader washing stations. The installation of wader washing stations allows anglers to clean waders before and after fishing trips to help protect against spreading any "critters" that may have attached themselves to the crevices of wading boots or other gear, while simultaneously educating anglers on the issue. The success of this initiative is solely based on the willingness and commitment of partners to maintain these stations at various fly shops. One such group that has committed to this partnership is the Anglers of the AuSable, who have agreed to maintain wader washing stations at multiple locations along the AuSable River near Grayling in 2015.
With the support from the "Anglers", six wader-wash stations were constructed in spring of 2015 and placed at various access points along the Au Sable River. The DNR provided the materials and the "Anglers" provided the construction and maintenance. The DNR is hopeful that this partnership along the Au Sable will provide motivation to partner with other fishing organizations or interested parties to along other rivers in Michigan to help reduce this risk of AIS through gear cleaning stations such as the wader wash stations described hear. For more information please contact Nick Popoff or Seth Herbst at 517-284-5830.
New Zealand mudsnails underwaterDespite numerous AIS establishments in the Great Lakes and inland lakes, the threat of AIS to Michigan's trout waters has received relatively little attention until recent years. However, in 2011 the risk hit close to home when our neighbor state of Wisconsin documented the first occurrence of a species that has the ability to negatively affect cold-water rivers and streams, the New Zealand Mudsnail (NZMS). New Zealand Mudsnails change the composition of aquatic communities by reaching high densities. At high densities these invasive species out-compete native species that are an important food source for native trout. Furthermore, NZMS not only displace food sources, but have no nutritional value for trout species that may feed upon them, which has implications for the condition of native fish.
The current threat to our trout streams are not limited to NZMS, Didymo (commonly referred to as "rock snot") is an algae that has the ability to carpet stream bottoms and severely impacts trout habitat in portions of the United States. In particular, Didymo has dominated stream bottoms affecting habitats utilized by fish for feeding and spawning. Didymo is impacting popular trout fishing rivers in the east, south and western states. Furthermore, one can imagine the difference in the overall fishing experience between rivers choked out by "rock snot" and say the Au Sable, Pere Marquette, or any of our other prized trout waters.
To date, neither NZMS nor Didymo have been detected within Michigan waters. However, the risk of spreading AIS is linked with the movement of thousands of anglers across the country seeking out their next prized catch. During these types of trips anglers often unknowingly visit infested waters where AIS have the ability to attach to waders and/or other gear and "hitch-a-ride" to the next destination. However, these unwanted hitchhikers can be stopped in their tracks when gear is properly cleaned. There are research papers describing the spread of AIS and various chemicals or cleaning agents and soak times required to kill AIS. However, all we need to exhibit is some common sense and the risk of spread can be greatly reduced. For most of us, when we are invited into someone's home we have the common courtesy to take our shoes off or to clean them so we don't track dirt into the home. This simple concept can and should be applied to our fishing gear such as waders and boots. Michigan's rivers are homes and as such we should be respectful of these homes and clean our gear before entering them. Simply put, keep your gear clean and help protect our world class fisheries.
The Michigan DNR-Fisheries Division as well as several other DNR Divisions are committed to preventing further invasion and spread of AIS. Awareness campaigns that educate anglers on specific steps to reduce the risk of AIS are currently being implemented. Boat washes are becoming more prevalent across the state. Groups such as the Coldwater Resources Steering Committee are a perfect forum to help foster partnerships to help spread awareness on AIS. The most recent initiative that MDNR-Fisheries Division and partner groups are spearheading is the development of wader washing stations. The installation of wader washing stations allows anglers to clean waders before and after fishing trips to help protect against spreading any "critters" that may have attached themselves to the crevices of wading boots or other gear, while simultaneously educating anglers on the issue. The success of this initiative is solely based on the willingness and commitment of partners to maintain these stations at various fly shops. One such group that has committed to this partnership is the Anglers of the AuSable, who have agreed to maintain wader washing stations at multiple locations along the AuSable River near Grayling in 2015.
With the support from the "Anglers", six wader-wash stations were constructed in spring of 2015 and placed at various access points along the Au Sable River. The DNR provided the materials and the "Anglers" provided the construction and maintenance. The DNR is hopeful that this partnership along the Au Sable will provide motivation to partner with other fishing organizations or interested parties to along other rivers in Michigan to help reduce this risk of AIS through gear cleaning stations such as the wader wash stations described hear. For more information please contact Nick Popoff or Seth Herbst at 517-284-5830.
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