DNR surveys find Lake Michigan anglers persevere, diversify catch as salmon numbers decline
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Lake Michigan anglers increased their efforts and reeled in greater numbers of native species including lake trout and walleye in 2015, even as the overall sport fish harvest declined due to lower catches of salmon and stocked trout.
Results from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2015 survey of anglers on Lake Michigan bear out projections of lower overall catches dating to 2013 when surveys indicated a decline in forage fish including the alewives favored by chinook and coho salmon. In addition to stocking reductions of 30 percent instituted at that time, unusually cold weather and water temperatures this past spring likely also reduced harvest numbers for 2015, said Brad Eggold, DNR southern Lake Michigan fisheries supervisor.
"During 2015, chinook again accounted for the single largest component of the overall catch with an estimated harvest of 113,973, down from 130,698 in 2014," Eggold said. "Coho estimated catch also fell to 41,010 from 52,297 the prior year. On the flip side, lake trout catch was the highest since 2002."
The 2015 Lake Michigan creel surveys indicated that anglers caught 35,715 lake trout, up from 25,425 in 2014. Harvest estimates for walleye (99,302 in 2015, up from 96,193 in 2014) and northern pike (2,641, up from 814) also increased.
Catching fish during the 2015 season required greater effort as the harvest rate for salmonids declined to 0.099 fish per hour. Anglers collectively increased their time spent fishing by 3.4 percent to 2.7 million hours.
If judged by the total number of fish brought in, anglers who launched their own boats from ramps or marinas or invested in a charter trip were the most successful. The sport harvest from ramps and marinas totaled 346,536 fish, while charter captains helped clients bring in 91,255 fish.
At a meeting of Lake Michigan charter captains and interested citizens held in Cleveland, Wis., Wednesday evening, Eggold said anglers will continue to find rewards from time spent on the water but may need to be flexible when considering where to fish and which species to target.
"The Lake Michigan fishery continues to change with variability in the forage base due to quagga mussels as well as low numbers of available forage in the lake," Eggold said. "Going forward, we will continue to work with stakeholders and partners in other states to monitor predator to prey ratios and balance stocking efforts with alewife numbers. We also will continue to look for opportunities to strengthen the diversity of the fishery."
Methodology
DNR's annual creel survey dates to 1969 and last year captured the results from more than 12,500 angler interviews at ramps, shorelines, piers and streams in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan stretching from Kenosha County to Green Bay. Each year, creel clerks interview anglers at established locations, measure fish and keep track of hours fished, numbers of boats and more. Results also include harvest estimates for guided charters from monthly reports that were initiated in 1976.
To learn more, visit DNR.wi.gov and search "Fishing Lake Michigan." Complete creel survey information can be found by searching "Lake Michigan management reports."
Contact: Brad Eggold, DNR southern Lake Michigan fisheries supervisor, Bradley.Eggold@Wisconsin.gov, 414-382-7921