LAKE MICHIGAN COMMITTEE
Campus Inn
Ann Arbor, Michigan
23, 24 March 1994
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Memorandum of Understanding with USFWS
LMC agencies were invited to advise Mike Talbot (WDNR) of needed major/ minor
revisions on a recent draft. Mike Talbot (WDNR), Wisconsin counsel, Rick Clark (MDNR), and Jim Francis (IDNR) will negotiate a unified Memorandum of Understanding
(as far as possible) with the USFWS for Lake Michigan Committee and Fish Chief review. The revised draft will be shared with NYDEC, PFBC, MnDNR, ODNR, and GLIFWC.
Participants discussed the omission of a paragraph on partner concurrence on study.
(Minority reports would be included.) There was general agreement that procedures for
implementation should be documented to ensure partners comfortable on sub-agreements,
roles, need, implementation, etc.
2. Chinook Salmon Task Group
The LMC discontinued the Chinook Salmon Task Group, directing that all future chinook
salmon work be coordinated through the Lake Michigan Technical Committee (LMTC).
3. MSU Coop Position
The LMC requested that the new Great Lakes faculty position created at Michigan State
University be directed to assist the LMTC with the development of the SIMPLE model.
4. Yellow Perch Task Group
The LMC formed a Yellow Perch Task Group, charging it to
Membership: Rich Hess (IDNR), Phil Schneeberger (MDNR), Chuck Hatcher (NBS), Ellen
Marsden (INHS), Jim Francis (IDNR), Olson??, Brian Belonger (WDNR), Kinn?, O'Neill?,
Ball State?
5. Lake Trout Stocking Size
The LMC supported the proposal of the NFH system to rear yearlings to 10/lb. and fall
fingerlings to 20/lb. for stocking in Lake Michigan, with the expectation that fewer
fish at a larger size will increase overall survival.
The LMTC was asked to design a study pairing two sizes of lake trout in a CWT refuge
study, including evaluation in 5 years.
6. Isolation Facility
Mark Holey (WDNR) was asked to draft a letter for the LMC Chair requesting the USFWS
to establish an isolation facility or halfway house for the purpose of bringing in
wild fish for broodstock development, and advising the USFWS of the LMC's continuing
interest in a quarantine facility if it could be incorporated with the isolation
facility plans.
Marg Dochoda (GLFC) will send the LMC copies of the quarantine protocol and related
correspondence.
7. Finclip Assignment Protocol
The LMTC should continue developing for LMC consideration a protocol for clip
assignments for all species stocked.
8. LMTC Appointment
Mike Toneys (WDNR) was appointed to the LMTC.
9. Coho Management
Bill Horns (MDNR) will prepare for agency meeting the evening of 8 April in
preparation for meeting with anglers. Final decisions must await in-state consultations, and an agenda was needed to keep discussion on-track.
10. Walleye Management
The LMC discussed the advisability of stocking walleye in southern Lake Michigan.
11. Fish Community Objectives
The Drafting Committee (Rick Clark, Randy Eshenroder, Mark Holey, and Tom Gorenflo)
will provide a uniform draft or an analysis of their differences to the LMC by 15 May
in order that fish community objectives can be approved at the GLFC Annual Meeting for
public review as desired by agencies. Target date for final ratification is the fall
of 94.
12. Standardization of Assessment
The LMTC was charged to review existing creel census methods and recommending
standards for collecting and reporting information.
MDNR and WDNR were asked to report to LMC through the LMTC in 1995 on pilot studies.
In the meantime the LMC will review LMTC's analysis of proposed assessment of salmonids.
13. NBS Funding
Tom Gorenflo (COTFMA) will draft a letter for LMC Chair stating desire and needs for
NBS full funding, including support for trend information.