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We
are a proud member of the Au Sable River Watershed
Restoration Committee (ARWRC). Visit them at
www.ausablerestoration.org
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MIO
TROUT REGS
ASBWPA
Nominates 14 Miles of Trophy Water for No Kill on Brown Trout
Read About It
Here
ASBWPA_Nomination
And Send
Letter of Support to
DNRE_Nominations
DNRE Recommends the following:
Unit: NLHMU
County: Crawford & Oscoda
Waterbody:
Au Sable River
Segment(s): Power lines below Mio (T26N, R3E, Sec 7) to
McKinley Bridge
(T26N, R4E, Sec 15) (15.9 miles)
Entry No: 602, 603, 606, 607, 614, 649 & 650
Requested by: Internal review (current research waters) and
public
Recommendation: We recommend that this stream segment be
considered for gear restricted regulations. We recommend the
following regulations for this reach:
* Artificial lures only
* Open season: All year
* Possession season: The last Saturday in April-September
30 for BKT, BNT, and ATS: other species all year
* Minimum size limits:
1.
Brook trout 7 inches
2.
Rainbow trout 10 inches
3.
Brown trout 18 inches
* Creel limit 2 trout, but no more than 1 trout over 18 inches
This reach has been managed under research regulations for many
years: Artificial lures only, 15 inch MSL for brown trout, 12
inches for other trout, a possession limit of two trout and a
closed season from September 30 to the last Saturday in April.
This section, as with the Mio Dam to power lines section
mentioned above, is stocked annually with brown trout and
rainbow trout. Trout growth in this reach is well above state
average, and this section of river is valued for its ability to
produce large brown trout. High summer temperatures during some
years can cause high mortality of trout, but large brown trout
have persisted in this reach. Fishing mortality in this reach
is negligible. A creel survey conducted throughout the 2009
trout season revealed that
catch and release
predominates. The estimated harvest of brown trout was only 9
fish during the entire 2009 season, while over 21,000 brown
trout were caught and released. Anglers
spent over 37,000 hours angling in this reach during 2009.
Stocked rainbow trout provide popular fishing throughout the
year, but only a few of these fish survive through the following
winter. Both the general public and organized angling groups
have recommended, and the NLHMU concurs, that the rainbow trout
size limit should be lowered to 10 inches to allow for some
harvest of these popular fish. Allowing for the potential
harvest of one trophy-sized brown trout over 18 inches long will
have no impact on the trout population.
Our proposed regulations are extremely protective of the valued
brown trout fishery, allow for utilization of the popular
rainbow trout
fishery, and open the season to year-round fishing.
Unit: NLHMU
County: Crawford & Oscoda
Waterbody: Au Sable River
Segment(s): McKinley Bridge to 4001 Bridge (8 miles)
Entry No: 608, 611 & 644
Requested by:Internal review (Type 2) and public
Recommendation: We do not recommend that this stream segment be
considered for gear restricted regulations. We do recommend
that this segment remain designated as Type 2.
If the current Type 2 regulations were no longer an option in
the future, we would recommend that regulations in this segment
be changed to Type 4.
This reach is currently managed under Type 2 regulations. These
regulations are more than adequate to protect trout in this
section. Brown trout and rainbow trout growth rates are higher
than the MI average in this reach.
Natural mortality
rates for both brown trout and rainbow trout are believed
to be high because of warm summer water temperatures. Very few
rainbow trout survive overwinter. Fishing mortality is low both
because of the voluntary catch-and-release practices of most Au
Sable River anglers and because angling pressure in this reach
is fairly low. During the most recent creel census conducted
here in 2000, we estimated that only 10 brown trout and 10
rainbow trout were harvested per mile. Over 90% of trout caught
in 2000 were released. We received only one nomination of this
reach for gear restricted regulations.
This section meets only the growth criterion for selection of
trout streams that are good candidates for gear restrictions.
The situation for
coldwater regulation below Mio Dam on the Au Sable has not been
resolved. For 2009, the regulations will remain the same as in
2008 (or, for that matter, all through the decade). DNR will
conduct another creel census and a decision regarding the fishery will
be made next fall. Here's the record so far:
DNR
Gets It Right On Mio, For Now
DNR Director
Rebecca Humphries and Fisheries Director Kelley Smith
made the correct choice in keeping the trout
regulations the same for 2009 on the Mio to McKinley
stretch of the Au Sable River pending further
research on the matter, including a creel census. It
is a sign of professionalism as well as character
when a person or institution is willing to admit
they may need more time or additional input before
making a decision.
Yes, some will be
disappointed that there will be no extended season
in 2009 to fish for some of the biggest browns east
of the Rockies’ Front Range, but the proposed rules,
a “modified” Type 6, did nothing to compensate for
the additional pressure or maximize the trophy
population. That proposal by the Fisheries Division
in our opinion, and many others, would have
continued if not accelerated the decline of this
once proud fishery. Now there appears to be
significant hope for a better outcome a year from
now.
It is refreshing
to know that government is listening again.
Thank You,
Directors Humphries and Smith! We look forward to
working with the DNR on this and other issues
affecting the Au Sable’s famed Trophy Water.
Thomas Buhr,
President
(and, of course, before this....)
PLEASE SEND A
LETTER OR E-MAIL TO DNR SUPPORTING NO KILL FOR BROWN
TROUT! WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICE IS
HEARD! DO IT TODAY OR AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
The DNR’s Fisheries
Division is in the process of developing a
management plan for this section of the Au Sable
River. In the past, the DNR focused on providing a
quality trout fishing opportunity on the
river. Recently, the Fisheries Division has received
considerable input from anglers who have an interest
in fisheries management of this section of the
river. The management plan the DNR will develop will
address the potential need for regulation
classifications for this stretch of river and any
additional opportunities to improve the fishery.
“The overall goal of this process is to ensure
adequate protection of our coldwater fish
communities, while simultaneously providing quality
fishing opportunities for anglers,” said Steve
Sendek, DNR fisheries biologist at the Grayling
Field Office. “Public input in this process is
important and all comments received during this time
will be
considered in final decision-making.”
The Fisheries Division recently completed a “status
of the fishery” report for this section of the Au
Sable River, giving a historical and comprehensive
assessment of the river. The Au Sable River - Mio to
Alcona, Status of the Fishery” report is available
online on the DNR’s Web site at
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/2007-22_225164_7.pdf.
This document is a thorough review of the fishery
and contains in-depth
information on the environment surrounding the
river, the fish community, a chronology of historic
fisheries management activities, current fisheries
management activities, a discussion on factors
limiting rainbow trout and brown trout populations,
potential future
management directions, and a discussion on the
predicted outcomes of various regulation scenarios
based on fisheries population modeling.
Written comments can be directed to the DNR via
email at
DNR-LakeHuron@michigan.gov or via U.S. Mail to
Steve Sendek, DNR, 1955 Hartwick Pines Rd.,
Grayling, MI 49738.
Contacts: Steven Sendek 989-348-6371, ext. 7477 or
Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Our Position on New
Regulations for the Big Water:
We support a Type 7 classification
from the powerlines to McKinley Bridge. We
strongly believe that this stretch should be managed
as a Trophy Brown Trout Fishery!
Anglers of the Au Sable has also taken that
position.
Since the
Mio Meeting with DNR on March 5th both Anglers and
the ASBWPA have been considering a compromise
position offered by Dr. Brian Burroughs of MCTU.
This position would support No Kill for brown trout
from Mio Dam to 4001 Bridge as well as an Extended
Season. In addition, anglers could keep two
10" rainbows per day during the Regular Season.
Both flies and artificial lures could be used.
Originally, DNR had seemed to say that the water
below Mio must be categorized in one of the existing
classifications. That's why we chose Type 7.
If Special Regs or a new classification could be
enacted that would fall under the MCTU compromise we
would be comfortable with it. Research clearly
indicates that at least 95% of the rainbows are
going to die in their first year in the stream.
It's a good idea to let fishers keep some as long as
the browns are protected.
We have no
problem with people continuing to support a Type 7
classification. Many of our members still do.
Realistically, the MCTU compromise is much more
likely and would meet our primary goal: No
Kill on Brown Trout. Click here to see the
latest presentation by the Mershon Chapter on this
position
MERSHON
The North Branch Club has designed a
petition to support this the Type 7 position -
PETITION. We see
no problem with supporting it while keeping in mind
that the MCTU compromise might be more realistic.
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