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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Phone: 612-713-5360 |
Great Lakes
Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)
Tribal Partnership Projects
Contacting the Office:
John Leonard, Native American Specialist
e-mail: John_Leonard@fws.govBHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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Return to Tribal Grants Main PageNew Tag for Lake Trout Research Records Depth and Water Temperature
A new approach to fishery research got underway in Lake Superior waters this fall. Biologists from U.S. Geological Survey's Hammond Bay Biological Station, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Service's Ashland Fishery Resources Office (FRO) surgically implanted tags in the abdominal cavity of 100 lake trout. The tags, known as bathythermal tags, are the first of their type to be used in the Great Lakes. These tags will record water depth and water temperature for up to three years. Data is retrieved upon recapture of the fish and removal of the tag. Tags will be recovered by commercial and recreational fishers as well as fishery agency assessments. To identify a tagged fish each fish also received an external tag offering a $100 reward for whole, unfrozen fish. It is hoped the monetary incentive will result in high return of tagged fish by anglers and commercial fishers. Among the study's goals is to determine the depth and temperature that lake trout inhabit during the year and whether or not they segregate from other species by depth or temperature. This data will contribute to better understanding of sea lamprey and lake trout interaction. Temperature information will also be used to improve bioenergetics models currently being developed for Lake Superior. The temperature has a direct influence on the rate of consumption and processing of forage.
Offices Involved: R3-Marquette Biological Station, R3-Ashland FRO
Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force Increases Efforts for 2002
At a Jan. 30 meeting, task force member Julie Van Stappen, NPS-Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, volunteered to set and monitor a total of nine adult zebra mussel sampling devices at island park locations receiving high density boat traffic. This will increase the 2002 effort to a total of 54 adult sampling devices in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters. The USFWS-Ashland FRO (25) and Bad River (14) and Red Cliff (6) Tribal Natural Resource Departments will maintain their current monitoring effort. Instead of veliger sampling with a plankton net, task force member Mike Keniry, WDNR-Bayfield, volunteered to scuba dive along the Ashland harbor docks in search of adult zebra mussels. If found, Mike will collect the adults and deliver them to Dr. Mary Balsar, University of Wisconsin-Superior, for analysis. Dr. Balsar has volunteered to examine the gonads of discovered mussels for development. Developing gonads would confirm that reproduction is occurring. In other deliberations, task force members agreed that zebra mussel information packets should be assembled and distributed to boat owners at marinas and boat launches around Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands. Mike Keniry described Wisconsin''s new regulation relating to zebra mussels. With regard to zebra mussels, the new law states "A law enforcement officer may order a person to do the following: Remove zebra mussels from a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment before placing it in the Lower St. Croix River. Remove or not place a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment in a navigable water if the law enforcement officer has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer or boating equipment has zebra mussels attached." The Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force is co-chaired by Gary Czypinski, USFWS-Ashland FRO and Bill Mattes, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Other member organizations not previously mentioned include USGS-Lake Superior Biological Station, City of Ashland Dept. of Public Works, and Xcel Energy (formerly Northern States Power Co.).
Offices Involved: R3-Ashland FRO Resource Outputs: Output: Outline a work plan for 2002 to monitor for the presence of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters, Lake Superior. Outcome: Assess abundance, distribution, and size structure of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters, Lake Superior, and attempt to delay or prevent the spread of zebra mussels to inland waters and Lake Superior waters outside of Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, USGS-Lake Superior Biological Station, NPS-Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bad River Tribal Natural Resources Department, Red Cliff Tribal Natural Resources Department, City of Ashland Department of Public Works, Xcel Energy.
Ashland FRO Assists With Native American Conservation and Restoration Projects
The Service's Ashland Fishery Resources Office (FRO) provides technical assistance on fish and wildlife matters to 14 Native American tribes and associated conservation programs in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Yearly contact is made with natural resource directors in order to assess wildlife technical and financial assistance needs. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program information was specifically provided this year. We also provide project assistance to additional tribes throughout the upper Midwest where needed. Presently, Ashland FRO is providing financial and technical wildlife habitat assistance to four tribal wetland projects; Lac du Flambeau (195 acres), Grand Portage (45 acres), Menominee (15 acres) and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, or GLIFWC, (15 acres). One tribal wetland/riparian project was completed this year, GLIFWC''''s 75-acre-1 mile riparian Spring Creek project. Wetland restoration technical assistance is also being provided to the Red Cliff tribe in regards to beaver pond and ephemeral wetland restoration. Prairie restoration technical assistance was provided to the Prairie Island Indian Community. Planning is presently underway for a 100-acre prairie restoration cooperative project involving the Service, Prairie Island Indian Community and Circle of Flight. In the past few years, Ashland FRO has completed upland and wetland restoration projects with the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Leach Lake Reservation, Fond du Lac, White Earth, Red Cliff, Grand Portage, and Lac du Flambeau. Resource
Outputs: The Ashland FRO is responsible for fish and wildlife technical assistance to 14 Native American Tribes and programs in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. We also provide project assistance to additional tribes throughout the upper Midwest where needed.
Partners: Michigan: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Lac Vieux Desert Band, Minnesota: Fond du Lac Reservation, Grand Portage RTC, Bois Forte Reservation (Net Lake), Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, 1854 Authority, Wisconsin: Bad River Band, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Sokaogon Chippewa Community(Mole Lake), St. Croix Tribe, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Comes To The Rescue Of Ashland FRO
The Ashland FRO is very fortunate to be receiving some much needed technical assistance from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission). One of our electro fishing boats is about to be modified with a new master control box, generator and light fixtures thanks to the help of Butch Mieloszyk and Ed White from the Commission. Butch and Ed have been working with the Commission for several years have been directly involved with the setup and configuration of several electro fishing boats. During a time when staff activities and level of expertise make it difficult to keep up with equipment modifications, its comforting to know that we can depend on our cooperators for assistance.
Resource Outputs: During a time when staff activities and level of expertise make it difficult to keep up with equipment modifications, its comforting to know that we can depend on our cooperators for assistance.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
New Wildlife Grant Process Discussed with Tribes
On November 2 the Regional Native American Liaison and Peter Fasbender (SE) of the Regional Office met with Dave Conner and other Red Lake tribal representatives to review and discuss tribal input and items related to the newly authorized tribal grants funding included in the Service''s Fiscal Year 2002 Appropriation. Several pages of concerns and suggestions were formulated and provided to support tribal interests. Specific items will be used to influence the final process and guidelines regarding this new program. On January 22 the Service honored the invitation of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to address the Board of Commissioners representing 11 Federally recognized member tribes. There were several key issues they addressed but the first was that the Service was expected to assure that adequate tribal consultation occurred regarding development of the grant process for the new Tribal set aside of 5 million dollars as part of the 2002 Wildlife grant program.
Offices Involved: R3-External Affairs R3-Federal Aid R3-Regional Director's Office
Resource Outputs: The wildlife grants program is the first authorized funds dedicated to tribes and administered through the Service. The Service and Tribes cooperatively conduct partnership activities to provide benefits to fish and wildlife natural resources; however, this new program is the first that includes appropriated tribal funding. These funds are very important to the tribes since they have not been able to directly access funds available through the fish or wildlife federal aid program which began over 50 years ago. These new funds were the result of tribal input and testimony. Their input into the initial development of a process to administer the grants and distribute the competitive grant money is critical to the success of the program.
Partners: 34 Federally recognized tribes in Region 3, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, 1854 Authority, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission invites Service to Board of Commissioners Meeting
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accepted an invitation to address the Board of Commissioners (BOD) of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) at a meeting held Jan. 22, 2002. The meeting was hosted by the St. Croix tribe of Wisconsin in the Don Saros Room at their Turtle Lake facility. Attendance included representatives from 10 of the 11 member GLIFWC tribes and four Service employees led by Deputy Regional Director Marvin Moriarty. Following a pipe ceremony and several items of old business, the Service was first on the Agenda. Issues raised by the tribes included: need for tribal consultation regarding the new Tribal set aside of $5 million dollars as part of the 2002 Wildlife grant program; funding discussion to enable the Service to perform activities that have been covered by reimbursement; a request that grant resource projects include needs that exist in treaty ceded territory and that proposals submitted by tribes in behalf of intertribal organizations representing Federally recognized tribes or by intertribal organizations in behalf of Federally recognized tribes be considered for funding; a request to obtain CITES tags for animals taken lawfully within tribal regulations; Service assistance in the issue related to the harvest of submerged timber and subsequent release of sediment related contaminants; Service assistance related to potential impact on rice beds of mine drainage and chance of train derailment when transporting mining materials and Service assistance to increase the visibility of the Casting Light on the Waters program related to the 1837 and 1842 treaty ceded areas. The Service has sent a letter to the BOC thanking them for the opportunity to address them and summarizing the main issues addressed at the meeting. An action plan has been established to address each issue with responsible parties and due dates.
Offices Involved: R3-External Affairs R3-Fisheries R3-Law Enforcement RO R3-Ecological Services R3-Regional Director's Office
Resource Outputs: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission has been an active resource partner with the Service. This is the first opportunity the Service has had to address their Board of Commissioners in the past three years. The resource items identified will have a major bearing on the future relationship and cooperation between the treaty tribes in northern WI, MN and MI and the Service. As each of the items are addressed they will be reported in future accomplishment reports.
Partners: Fond du Lac MN, Lac Vieux Desert MI, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Mille Lacs MN, Bad River WI, Lac Courte Oreilles WI Lac du Flambeau, WI Red Cliff WI Sokaogon Chippewa WI St. Croix WI Bay Mills MI (Did not attend) Keweenaw Bay MI.
Service partners with Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to assess walleye populations
Under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Service, the Ashland FRO provides technical assistance (when requested) for fishery assessment projects. This year the Ashland and La Crosse FRO''s are working together to assist the GLIFWC in assessing walleye populations in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Additional partners include the Minnesota DNR (Mille Lacs Lake project), and the Wisconsin DNR (northern Wisconsin lakes). This spring, the Ashland FRO will provide one crew leader and electro fishing boat to conduct adult walleye population estimates in northern Wisconsin waters. On Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota, the Ashland FRO and La Crosse FRO will each provide one crew leader and electro fishing boat for up to two-weeks under a reimbursable agreement. The objectives of these surveys are to provide biologists with current data so accurate estimates of adult walleye populations can be made. These estimates are used to set safe harvest levels, on which tribal harvest quotas are based. During the fall, both the Ashland and La Crosse FRO''s will once again team up to assist the GLIFWC with the assessment of juvenile walleye. The data from these assessments are used to establish walleye recruitment levels from which adult population estimates and fry stocking levels will be determined. Both the spring and fall data will be collected using electro fishing boats. The sampling procedures involve extensive work during the evening hours. This is the period when fish activity is the greatest and thus provides for the best opportunity to collect fish in large numbers. During an average evening, it''s possible to collect data from 500 walleye. During the spring surveys, normally 3-5 nights of fish collection are needed (on each lake) to provide sufficient data so a reliable population estimate can be calculated. This years spring activities may cover a three-week period and result in population surveys being completed on 8-10 lakes. The fall activities normally require only one night''s effort per lake. This years fall project will span a period of eight-weeks and result in the surveying of 64 lakes.
Resource Outputs: The objectives of these surveys are to provide biologists with current data so accurate estimates of adult walleye populations can be made. These estimates are used to set safe harvest levels, on which tribal harvest quotas are based.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, MNDNR, WIDNR
Surveillance Verifies that Ruffe Control is Working
Ashland, Alpena, and Lower Great Lakes Fisheries Resource Offices, as well as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) collaborated on publishing the 10th annual Ruffe Surveillance Report. The report summarized all dedicated and reported incidental ruffe surveillance completed in the Great Lakes during 2001. The report also contained a chronological description of ruffe expansion since surveillance began in 1991. The ruffe was the first non-indigenous species to be officially declared a ""nuisance"" under the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. This designation authorized the formation of a control committee to draft a control plan and recommend actions to delay or prevent the spread of ruffe throughout the Great Lakes and inland lakes. Only one minor ruffe expansion was detected in 2001. Last spring, OMNR captured a ruffe from the north end of Thunder Bay Harbour, ON, the peripheral location of ruffe on the north shore of Lake Superior. This discovery represented a range expansion of 8 km within the harbor. The good news for ruffe control efforts in 2001 did not stop here. No ruffe were captured from Lake Huron, which includes the one known ruffe colony near Alpena, Mich. Ruffe abundance in the Ontonagon River, Mich., a peripheral location of ruffe on the south shore of Lake Superior, continued to increase. However, despite an increasing ruffe presence in the Ontonagon River, no ruffe were detected east of this location. Total reported surveillance effort during 2001, both dedicated and incidental, consisted of 49 hours bottom trawling, 5,449 trapnights, 16 nights gillnetting, 61 seine hauls, .0.8 hours and 2,099 meters electro fishing; this effort resulted in a total catch of 10,072 ruffe, within their known range, plus one ruffe captured in a new location. No ruffe have been found in Lake''s Erie or Ontario. No ruffe have been found in waters unconnected to the Great Lakes. Other contributors to the 2001 ruffe surveillance report included Marquette Biological Station-Sea Lamprey Control, USGS-BRD Lake Superior Biological Station, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Indian Community, Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, University of Notre Dame and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Offices Involved: R3-Alpena FRO R3-Ashland FRO R5-Lower Great Lakes FRO Resource Outputs: Output: Publish an annual report describing surveillance activities and the current range for the nuisance fish, Eurasian ruffs and also describe the fish community at each location surveyed.
Outcome: Current range of ruffs was defined and managers were alerted to the likelihood of future expansion. Most prominent members of the forage fish community were identified.
Partners: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, USES-BRADDED, Great Lakes States Departments of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, Several Great Lakes Tribal Natural Resource Departments
Tribes, State and Service Discuss Law Enforcement Issues
On Mar. 18, 2002, Special Agent Ed Spoon represented the Service at a one-day 'Tribal/Conservation Warden Conference, held at the College of the Menominee Nation, Casino, Wish. Conservation Officers from the Menominee Nation, Mole Lake Band of Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi, and Stockbridge-Munsee Tribes attended, along with Wisconsin Conservation Wardens, U.S. Forest Service officers and officers from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Spoon gave a one-hour presentation on Service Law Enforcement policies regarding Native Americans, Eagle Act permits for Indian religious purposes and the role of the National Eagle Repository. Spoon also discussed the Lacey Act's applicability to tribal lands and the need for Tribes to apply to the Service, if they wish to set migratory bird hunting seasons outside of the seasons selected by the state.
Ashland Fisheries Office Assists Tribes With Spring Walleye Surveys
The Ashland Fisheries Resource Office assisted the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission with several walleye population surveys. The objectives were to estimate spawning populations of adult walleye in lakes of northern Wisconsin. These adult population estimates are used to set safe harvest levels, on which tribal harvest quotas are based. This year's assessment activity was assigned to Frank Stone who conducted surveys on seven lakes over a two-week period. The sampling effort occurred at night, when spawning activity and opportunities to collect fish are maximized. Normally two-to three nights of fish collection are needed on each lake to obtain sufficient data.
Resource Outputs: The objectives are to estimate spawning populations of adult walleye in lakes of northern Wisconsin.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Lake Mille Lacs Walleye Survey Completed
The spring walleye spawn was on and that meant it was survey time. The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission requested assistance from both La Crosse and Ashland Fisheries Resource Office''s to help with the annual walleye survey. Personnel from La Crosse FRO worked on Mille Lacs Lake this year in what proved to be extremely difficult weather conditions. However, despite the foul weather, four to five shocking crews tagged over 12,000 fish during the two-week spawning run. The majority of the fish were 14-22 inches in length. This information will be used to determine the overall population and make harvest regulations for this valuable walleye resource.
Resource Outputs: Mille Lacs Lake is the premier walleye lake in Minnesota and its walleye population has enormous commercial and recreational value. Walleye are harvested by tribal netters and spearfishing and by angling. Although difficult at times, it is vital to sustain this resource for all users. Last year the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources tightened the regulations on the angling harvest in an effort not to over harvest the population. This year extra effort by GLIFWC, MNDNR and FWS to tag several thousand fish will provide information to better determine the population and assist in harvest regulations.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Minnesota DNR
Service Assists With Walleye Marking Study on Mille Lacs Lake
Ashland and LaCrosse Fisheries Resource Offices assisted with a cooperative walleye marking study on Minnesota's Mille Lacs Lake. The study is a cooperative effort between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). The goals of the study were as follows: 1) estimate the total adult walleye population in Mille Lacs Lake; 2) assess the entire shoreline of the lake with regard to distribution of spawning walleye; and, 3) implement a double marking system that will allow monitoring of growth and movement of adult walleye over a long-term period. The objective of the study was to mark 10 percent (40,000) of the estimated adult walleye population (400,000). Each cooperator was assigned a target of 20,000 adult walleye for marking. Each captured walleye was marked with a second or third dorsal spine clip and a floy tag. All clipped spines were saved for aging. MNDNR used fyke nets, and GLIFWC used electro fishing to capture spawning walleye. A total of five boats participated in the electro fishing effort, two from GLIFWC, one from the Fond du Lac tribe, and two from the Service. Due to a lower number of captures than expected, the target number for marking was subsequently reduced to 20,000 total adult walleye (10,000 GLIFWC and 10,000 MNDNR). Although the effort was hampered by bad weather, the lower number of captures suggests that the actual adult walleye population is probably less than the estimated 400,000 individuals. A complete analysis of the results is pending.
Offices Involved: R3-LaCrosse FRO R3-Ashland FRO
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, Fond du Lac Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Ashland FRO Assists Tribes With Fall Walleye Surveys
Frank Stone completed another week assisting the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in determining recruitment levels of juvenile walleye. The objectives of these surveys are to estimate relative abundance of young-of-the-year walleye in several lakes of northern Wisconsin. The data from these surveys will be used in conjunction with spring population estimates, to set walleye safe harvest levels. Frank will be conducting fishery surveys on a total of 32 lakes over an eight-week period. The sampling effort takes place at night, when walleye activity is the highest and catch efficiency is maximized. Using a boat electro fishing system, fish collection is relatively fast and efficient. Both length and scale/spine samples are collected. Catch per unit effort values are calculated by dividing the number of fish collected by the total minutes of effort. These data reflect the year's recruitment values and are combined with the spring population surveys to yield the information needed to help determine the number of adult walleye that can be safely harvested.
Resource Outputs: The objective is to determine recruitment levels of juvenile walleye in lakes of northern Wisconsin. These estimates are used in conjunction with spring population data to set safe harvest levels, from which tribal harvest quotas are based.
Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
