MDNR Electro-Shocking
“I absolutely could not believe what I was seeing. I knew trout were prone to seeking shelter and hiding – but WOW!” exclaimed PMWC Director Dave Gabrielson during a recent electro-shocking process on the Pere Marquette River.
PMWC has been assisting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (and Environment) (MDNR) for years with their electro-shocking program on the PM River in the area of the confluence with the Baldwin River . This flies-only section of the river has been subjected to electro-shocking for several years – with records available since 1997 – see below. Each year, usually in late summer, the MDNR with the help from PMWC directors and friends wade the river three times each of two days. Using a small wooden boat outfitted with a portable electrical generator, current is transferred, via cables, to DNR employees who probe with long electrodes into fish habitat areas. The electrical current temporarily shocks all fish species, causing them to rise to the top of the water. They are netted by PMWC volunteers and transported to the DNR measuring stations where they are identified, measured, fins clipped, scales scraped with all the data being recorded prior to their release back into the river.
The data collected each year is compared with that of prior years. The results support that habitat preservation and restoration directly relates to improved fish population. For additional information please see the Mainstream Newsletter Articles from Fall 2008, Fall 2009, and Fall 2010 and the MDNR’s electro-shocking data from 1997 through 2008.
The MDNR has established a new program of electro-shocking of the main stem of the Pere Marquette River – three years on/three years off. Currently the next scheduled electro-shocking is planned for 2014.
In August of 2011 the MDNR electroshocked the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River in two locations. The following is an article by Richard (Dick) Schwikert summarizing PMWC’s understanding of the data collected.
Although the mainstream will not be electroshocked until 2014, MDNR will continue to survey fish counts on the tributaries this year and next. The week of August 15th fisheries biologists (aided by GVSU fisheries students, Cadillac probationary youths, and Watershed Council members) collected data from two Little South branch index stations, one at Taylor Bridge/James Road, and at the Forks Public Access Site. Measurements were also taken of the stream widths and depths, as well as Large Woody Debris locations, diameters, and lengths.
Observations from the two areas surveyed indicate a proportional increase in the numbers of Brown Trout vs. Rainbows since the last surveys done in 200l – 2002. A total of 225 Browns were counted, roughly 60% (191) at Taylor Bridge vs. 40% at the Forks. However the larger fish were at the Forks with 61 being 10” or larger while Taylor Bridge had only 40 over 10”. The largest at Taylor was 15” while the Forks had five 15” or over, the largest at 18”. A total of 297 Rainbows were seen, all being 9” or less; most if not all will likely out-migrate to the Big Lake to become Steelhead.
A resurgence is being seen in the number of salmon smolts counted, especially the number of Cohos. A total of 402 young-of-the-year were seen with over 80% being at the Taylor Bridge location. Conjecture has it that the Coho are undergoing evolution as we watch them. They appear to be spawning later each Fall, with two reports of spawning activity in late April. Local news outlets also note the charter boats in Lake Michigan are reporting numerous Coho over 30 pounds when few that size were seen in recent years. Also there were 37 small Chinook or King salmon observed. This refutes the adage that salmon return to the river where they were spawned, as no salmon were planted in the Pere Marquette. Also recorded were suckers, two small panfish, and no bass or pike … Good news here.
The DNR plans to survey the Middle Branch in 2012, and are working on compiling the data collected this year. We will be hearing their impression of the significance of their findings, and trends they may be seeing, and hopefully a comparison of how our river compares to the other trout streams nearby. We’ll pass this information on as it becomes available.
The MDNR has plans to shock the Middle Branch of the Pere Marquette River in 2012. Watch for updates.
For a great look at past main stem electro-shockings check our our PHOTO GALLERY.