DNR Creek Survey Notes - July 7, 2022

​Notes from July 7, 2022, phone call with Olen Gannon, Michigan DNR Fisheries technician
 
The Fisheries Division is conducting a study on our lake. Gill nets were placed around the lake in May to catch and assess the fish population. That was followed by electrofishing on the night of June 1. You can see a YouTube video of electrofishing on the AuSable on the DNR Northern Lake Huron channel. Note they used boats powered by gasoline motors for this work. They will be back in August to do a Profile Development Study. This involves testing the water chemistry, profiling the oxygen and temperature at various depths, and assessing the shoreline including number of docks, seawalls, trees in the lake, etc.
The results of the Study should be finalized this winter. The Michigan DNR is currently working on a new system to make such information readily available on their website. In the meantime, Olen Gannon was kind enough to share the following information with me via phone.

• “The lake looks really good!” - Direct quote
• Good panfish
  • Bluegill caught were up to 9”, healthy with thick backs
  • There are lots of minnows who spawn in brushy areas along the shore
  • Large Mouth Bass were caught, the larger being caught during the electrofishing work, with a maximum length of 20”-21”
    
  • One 9” Small Mouth Bass was caught so there are a few out there
  • Some Perch were also netted
  • A few Pike were caught up to 38” in length
• There is a good balance of Pike in our lake and they are healthy
  • “You want Pike in the lake”
  • Pike don’t like spiny fish so only eat Bluegills if they must
  • Pike eat more Bass than Bluegills
  • Bass eat more Bluegills than the Pike (in our lake)
  • Without Pike in the lake the size & health of Bluegills & Bass may be negatively impacted due to overpopulation
• Seawalls negatively impact fish particularly on motorized lakes
  • Brushy areas near the shore provide protection for fish and areas for minnow spawning
  • Turbulence caused by motor sounds bouncing off seawalls negatively impact fish activity near the shoreline
  • This isn’t as significant a concern on our lake due to it being non-motorized