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Source: Dr. Bruce Manny, U.S. Geological Survey
Environmental Setting Fisheries
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The Trenton Channel beside Humbug Island is nationally recognized as a walleye fishing hotspot each spring by hundreds of anglers. An estimated 10 million adult walleye enter the Detroit River each year to spawn. Fishermen converge on this fishery from all over the United States. Likewise, this marsh and surrounding waters is becoming known nationally to professional bass fishermen who hold their tournaments in the lower Detroit River.
Juvenile lake sturgeon, a state endangered fish, are being caught for the first time in decades in Canadian waters of western Lake Erie near the mouth of the Detroit River, a few miles from Humbug Marsh. Genetically, they resemble no known stock of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes and are believed to originate in the Detroit River. What role do Humbug Marsh and the historic sturgeon spawning site upstream near Grassy Island play in this recovery of lake sturgeon in and around the mouth of the Detroit River? Lake sturgeon were caught from Humbug Island in the 1890s (Our “Downriver” River: Nautical History and Tales of the Detroit River, by Rockne P. Smith, 1997).
The lower Detroit River, including Humbug Marsh, is the most important spawning and nursery habitat in the entire Detroit River and much of western Lake Erie (Manny et al. 1988. Cited above). More than 45 species of fish spawn in this area, including forage fish like emerald and spottail shiners, sport fish like northern pike, bass and muskies, and fish sold for market like yellow perch and channel catfish. More than 20 species of yearling and juvenile fishes, indicative of nursery habitat, were caught by electrofishing in Gibraltar Bay on southern Grosse Ile a few years ago. Because Gibraltar Bay resembles Humbug Marsh in aquatic vegetation, water depth, and proximity to spawning populations of fish in the lower Detroit River, Humbug Marsh likely also serves as spawning and nursery habitat for many of these same fish species.
References:
Manny, B.A., T.A. Edsall, & E. Jaworski. 1988. The Detroit River, Michigan: an ecological profile. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 85 (7.17). 86 pp.
Fish Analysis
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(Fish analysis was done in April of 1998)Sampling Area Descriptions:
Two of the trapnets (TN-1 and TN-2) were set in a cutback next to the main river current just upstream from a channel that flowed behind an island a short distance downstream from Elizabeth Park (Area 1). This cutback is next to some cooling ponds and has a rocky shoreline covered with trees and overhanging brush. Water depths range from 2 feet along the rocky shore to 10 feet next to the main river flow. Moderate amounts of submerged aquatic vegetation are present out to about the 5-6 foot depth. Many anglers frequent this area targeting walleyes in the early spring before the vegetation has grown much.
Fish Analysis:
A total of 812 fish weighing approximately 1,356 pounds and representing 24 species were collected during this survey. Panfish such as pumkinseed sunfish, bluegills, black crappies, rockbass and yellow perch comprised over 35% of the total catch by number and 5% by weight. Large gamefish such as largemouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish and walleyes made up almost 7% of the total catch by number and 9% by weight. Rough fish caught in significant numbers included common carp, quillback suckers, bowfin, freshwater drum, gizzard shad, and white perch. These rough fish made up about 50% of the total catch by number and 83% by weight. Other species collected in small numbers included bigmouth buffalo, yellow and black bullheads, goldfish, longnose gar, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass and white bass. Pumpkinseed sunfish were the most common panfish collected. They comprised 13% of the total catch by number, 1.3% by weight, and averaged 5.8 inches long. The majority of these were collected in the nets in Area 1 (93 of 105). Growth rates were significantly higher than state averages based on length-at-age data (mean growth index of +1.5).
Black crappies and rock bass were the second most common panfish collected. Crappies made up 7.4% of the catch by number and rock bass 8.4%. Each of these only comprised between 1% and 2% of the catch by weight. The crappies averaged 8.6 inches long while the rock bass averaged 6.7 inches. Only a few black crappies exceeded 10 inches and none of the rock bass were over 9 inches. The lack of larger crappies isn’t surprising since growth analysis shows no crappies over age 3 were collected. Both the crappies and rock bass had growth rates that were significantly better than the state averages based on length-at-age data from scale samples (mean growth indices of +1.3 and +0.9 respectively). There was no significant difference between Area 1 and 2 in how many of each were caught.
Bluegills and yellow perch made up 3.7% and 3.1% of the total catch by number and 0.5% and 0.4% by weight. They averaged 6.6 and 8.0 inches long respectively and both had growth rates significantly higher than state averages (mean growth indices of +1.6 and +1.5). Most of both species were caught in Area 1. Channel catfish were the most abundant large gamefish collected during the survey. They comprised 3.4% of the total catch by number, 6.7% by weight, and averaged an impressive 21.2 inches long. All 28 individuals exceeded the minimum size limit of 12 inches with 19 of them exceeding 20 inches. Most of these (22 of 28) were caught in Area 2.
Only 16 largemouth bass averaging 7.2 inches and ranging form 5-12 inches long were collected during the survey. Growth rates appear to be slightly better than the state average at least for these smaller sizes. This does not appear to be an area frequented by larger bass during this time of the year, but smaller fish and suitable spawning habitat are present. Similar numbers of bass were collected in both Areas 1 and 2. Small numbers of other large gamefish such as northern pike (4, ranging from 21-26 inches), smallmouth bass (2 at 8 inches), and walleyes (6, ranging from 15-24 inches) were collected during the survey. Although too few were collected to get a significant growth analysis, the data obtained indicates these are growing at or slightly better than the state averages. From angler reports, it appears there are significantly higher numbers of large bass and walleye in Area 1 during the spring and early summer.
Common carp were the most abundant fish collected during the survey comprising 38% of the total catch by number and 67% by weight. This is to be expected since at this time of year many gamefish species have moved to deeper, cooler water. Carp and other rough fish generally prefer the calmer and warmer section of the river such as this survey was sampling. Quillback carpsuckers were the second most abundant rough fish collected making up 7.4% of the total catch by number and 11% by weight. Again, this is an area out of the current such as this species prefers. Both the carp and quillbacks were much more prevalent in Area 1 where the water was deeper, more turbid, and provided adequate vegetative cover.
Fish
Source: Dr. Russell Kreis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Grosse Ile
Approximately 65 resident and migrant fish species are typically observed in the Detroit River. During recent electrofishing operations, 35 fish species were observed to be in the Humbug Marsh Area which demonstrates the great fish diversity of this area. During one day of sampling, 24 species of fish were collected from this area (Manny et al. 1988; MDNR 1997; USGS 1998; Tulen et al. 1998).
The area is a known spawning and nursery area for forage fishes where approximately 15-20 species of fish spawn in Humbug Marsh area (including recreationally important yellow perch) (Goodyear 1982; Jude et al. 1989; Manny et al. 1988; MDNR 1997; USGS 1998; Tulen et al. 1998).
This area is the primary and largest recreational fishery in U.S. waters of the Detroit River (Lake St. Clair Advisory Committee 1975; Manny et al. 1988).
References:
Goodyear, C.S., T.A. Edsall, D.M. Dempsey, G.D. Moss, and P.E. Polanski. 1982. Atlas of spawning and nursery areas of Great Lakes Fishes. Vol. 1-14; Vol. 8: Detroit River. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-82/52.
Jude, D., M. Flexner, R. Moll, P.Mansfield, D.S. White, and S. Hendricks. Water quality changes along the Detroit River and effect on entrained zooplankton and larval fish. Report to USEPA, Grosse Ile, MI. 45 pp.
Lake St. Clair Advisory Committee. 1975. Fishing charts and guide: Detroit River, Lake Erie and Erie Islands. St. Clair Consultants, Royal Oak, MI. 12 pp.
Manny. B.A., T.A. Edsall, and E. Jaworski. 1988. The Detroit River, Michigan: An Ecological Profile. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 85 (7.17). 86 pp.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). 1997. Water Survey, Detroit River, 1996. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Tulen, L.A., J.H. Hartig, D.M. Dolan, and J.J.H. Ciborowski (eds). 1988. Rehabilitating and Conserving Detroit River Habitats. Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Occasional Publication No. 1. Windsor, Ontario 65 pp.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 1998. Results of electrofishing at six sites in Humbug marsh on September 2, 1998. U.S. Geological Survey, Great lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Open File Report. 12 pp.
Fisheries
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Biodiversity of fish species in the project area is the highest of any location studied thus far on the American side of the Detroit River. At least thirty-five species of fish were caught in 1998 by electrofishing and trap netting including important sport or commercial fish species such as yellow perch (Perca flavescens), walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum), northern pike (Esox lucius), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris). Many forage fish species were also present in the samples (Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 1998 and Manny 1998b). This species diversity is higher than that reported from any of the 21 sites in the Detroit River sampled in 1986-87 (Hamilton 1987; Dalziel 1988). The emergent and submergent marshes of the project site provide habitat for 54% of the 65 species of fish commonly found in the Detroit River (Manny et al. 1988; Table 14), 76% of the 46 fish species known to spawn in this river (Manny et al. 1988; Table 15 as amended), and 60% of fish species known to use the Detroit River as a nursery ground (Manny et al. 1988; Table 17, as amended).
The value of coastal and riparian wetland habitats as spawning, nursery and feeding micro-habitats for numerous native Great Lakes fish species has been well documented (Herdendorf and Krieger 1989; Goodyear el al. 1982). Declines in several species can be directly related to loss of these globally rare and unique habitats (Trautman 1981).
Populations of obligate wetland species such as northern pike and muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) have declined dramatically in many regions of the Great Lakes and their decline can be directly linked to loss of coastal and riparian wetland habitats. Fishery surveys in spring of 1998 captured northern pike actively using Humbug Marsh as a spawning site (G. Towns – Biologist, MDNR, pers. commun.). The shallow water with an abundance of emergent and submergent vegetation is essential for successful spawning and nursery of northern pike. This native Great Lakes fish species is severely depleted in most regions of the ecosystem due to the filling and diking off of coastal and riparian wetland complexes (Jerry McClain, Biologist, USFWS, pers. commun.). Where those crucial habitats remain, it is essential that actions be taken to prevent further loss and/or fragmentation of their spawning habitat. Highly valued sport species, such as walleye and yellow perch rely heavily on coastal or riparian wetlands for some life stages, including spawning (yellow perch) and nursery (yellow perch and walleye). Shallow wetland habitats are essential to yellow perch for spawning, nursery and feeding habitats. Recent fishery surveys have shown yellow perch using the wetlands of the project site for spawning and nursery habitats. This highly sought and economically valuable sport and commercial species is in a state of decline in many regions of the Great Lakes. The St. Clair/Detroit River system and western Lake Erie are areas of the Great Lakes where healthy populations can still be found.
Along with yellow perch, walleye are one of the most highly prized sport species in the Great Lakes region. A world class walleye fishery exists on the Detroit River, including the immediate area surrounding the project site. Walleye spawning habitat exists in the Trenton Channel all along the project site and the shoals surrounding the island provide feeding habitats for the walleye. Based on research in western Lake Erie, it is known that coastal marshes and backwater areas serve as critical nursery and refuge habitats for larval walleye. An entire life cycle of walleye cohorts can be, and likely is supported by the variety of habitats provided by the marshes and shoals associated with the project site.
Critically depleted species such as the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) rely on shallow depositional zones on the fringe and backwater areas of large lakes and streams as feeding microhabitats. While it has not been clearly demonstrated, there are indications that survival of larval lake sturgeon depends on their ability to drift into quiet, shallow habitats rich in nutrients. Lake sturgeon are listed as threatened by the State of Michigan, and are of special interest to the Service. Historically referenced lake sturgeon spawning habitats are located upstream and downstream of the project site (Goodyear et al. 1982). Larval lake sturgeon resulting from spawning upstream in the Trenton channel near Grassy Island are likely to drift into the subject marsh complex and use the area as a critical nursery area. Recent increases in natural recruitment of this highly depleted native species in western Lake Erie appear to be associated with the lower Detroit River. Protection of remnant spawning, nursery and feeding microhabitats and restoration of additional habitat will be essential to long-term recovery of native lake sturgeon in the Detroit River and western Lake Erie. The Service and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are funded to begin the first detailed assessment of lake sturgeon stocks in the Detroit River in 1999. Finally, numerous species of the sunfish family are known to be supported by the subject marsh complex. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as other species of sunfish (bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus), rock bass, etc.) are supported by the marsh and habitats surrounding the island and are prevalent in fisher survey catches. This family of fish provide recreational opportunities for a large cross section of society, including youth and families restricted to shore and nearshore fishing.
References:
Dalziel, R.I.R. 1988. Survey of critical fish habitat within International Joint Commission designated Areas of Concern, June-October 1987. Report prepared by Ecocern Inc., 4 Nursewood Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4E 3R8 for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, Fish Community and Habitat Section. Whitney Block, Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M7A 1W3. 84 pp.
Goodyear, C.S., T.A. Edsall, D.M. Ormsby Dempsey, G.D. Moss, and P.E. Polanski. 1982. Atlas of the spawning and nursery areas of Great Lakes fishes. Volume thirteen: Reproductive characteristics of Great lakes fishes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC FWS/OBS-82/52.
Hamilton, J.G. 1987. Survey of critical fish habitat within International Joint Commission designated Areas of Concern, August – November 1986. Report by B.A.R. Environmental, 532 Queen Street, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5A 1V2 to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, Fish Community and Habitat Section. Whitney Block, Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M7A 1W3. 119 pp.
Herdendorf, C.E. and K.A. Krieger. 1989. Overview of Lake Erie and its estuaries within the Great Lakes ecosystem. In Lake Erie Estuarine Systems: Issues, resources, status, and management, e. K.A. Krieger, pp. 1-34. NOAA Estuary-of-the-Month Seminar Series No. 14. NOAA Estuarine Programs Office, Washington, D.C.
Manny, B.A., T.A. Edsall, & E. Jaworski. 1988. The Detroit River, Michigan: an ecological profile. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 85 (7.17). 86 pp.
Manny, B.A. 1998b. Results of electrofishing at six sites in Humbug Marsh on September 2, 1998. U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Open File Report. 12 pp.
MDNR (Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources). 1998. Letter report by Gary Towns dated 08-31-98 on results of electrofishing in Humbug Marsh on April 8-15, 1998. Open file. Lansing, MI.
MDNR (Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources). 1998. Letter report by Gary Towns dated 08-31-98 on results of electrofishing in Humbug Marsh on April 8-15, 1998. Open file. Lansing, MI.
Trautman, M.B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. The Ohio State University Press. 782p.
Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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BHW Federal Building
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
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R3 External Affairs
DisclaimerDr. John H. Hartig, Refuge Manager
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Large Lakes Research Station
9311 Groh Road
Grosse Ile, MI 48138
Phone: 734-692-7608 Fax: 734-692-7603
E-mail: john_hartig@fws.gov
Last updated:
July 9, 2008
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