Lake Michigan Salmon Stocking Strategy Process Dennis Eade – Michigan Steelheaders Todd Pollesch – Great Lakes Fishery Commission Advisor (Wisconsin)

Collaborative Process  The stocking reductions in 1999 and 2006 were determined by agencies and brought to the public for comment.  This year’s process involved stakeholders from the beginning.

Establishment of Goals and Objectives (Work Shop 1)  Stakeholder Meetings April 2011 in Michigan June 2011 in Wisconsin  Stakeholders represented various Lake Michigan angling organizations from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.  Both Stakeholders and Agencies Stated Goals and Objectives

Goals and Objectives Stakeholder  Maintain ecosystem balance  Maximize harvest and catch rates  Maximize sport fish potential  Maximize sustainable benefits  Protect forage biomass  Minimize collapse of the forage base  Avoid loss of native species  Provide larger Chinook (16-18 lbs for age 3+)  Maintain stable fishery  Maintain a diverse fishery

Goals and Objectives Agency  Maintain acceptable catch rates (8-12 fish/100 hrs)  Maintain a diverse fishery (>50% Chinook; >25 % other species)  Maintain good salmon growth (age 3 Chinook 7 kg [15.4 lbs], in late summer)  Maintain alewife at or below undesirable levels  Maintain adequate spawning stock biomass for lake trout

Core Stakeholder Group  Each agency chose individuals that: Had good knowledge of the Lake Michigan ecosystem. Represented a large organization. Had the ability to network and share information.  This Stakeholder Group also Participated in 2 full day workshops.

Core Stakeholder Group  Jeff Sadula, Calumet harbor Sport Fish Association (Illinois)  Ed Makauska, Trollers Unlimited (Illinois )  Bill Meier, Salmon Unlimited (Illinois)  Mike Ratter, Salmon Unlimited (Indiana)  Mike Ryan, Great Lakes Fishery Commission Advisor (Indiana )  Jeff Guerra, Michiana Steelheaders (Indiana)  John Robertson, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (Michigan)  Denny Grinold, Great Lakes Fishery Commission Advisor (Michigan)  Dennis Eade, Michigan Steelheaders (Michigan)  Todd Pollesch, Great Lakes Fishery Commission Advisor (Wisconsin)  John Hanson, Great Lakes Sport Fish Federation (Wisconsin)  Duane Nadolski, Great Lakes Sport Fish Federation (Wisconsin)

Work Shop 2 Overview November 5 th Portage, Indiana  Discussed How Managers Make Decisions  Reviewed Chinook salmon abundance, natural reproduction, growth, condition, and health  Reviewed prey abundance and forecasts  Learned about the Lake Michigan Decision Analysis Model  Developed scenarios to evaluate and refine the model

Work Shop 3 Overview January 23 rd Chesterton, Indiana  Reviewed Lake Michigan Decision Analysis Model outcomes  Discussed model outcomes  Began discussions about stocking strategies

Stocking Strategies and Options  Three Stocking Strategies and a total of 16 stocking options were evaluated based on: Goals and Objectives Risk tolerance for low alewife abundance (20% or less)  Based on comments from stakeholders and agencies, four options were adopted for further public review

Next Steps  Communicate the State of Lake Michigan to the Public  Further Discussion of the proposed stocking options  Assist agencies in making an informed decision to meet fishery goals and objectives

Thank you