Contacting the Office:
Julie Morin, Acting Native American Specialist
e-mail: Julie_Morin@fws.gov
BHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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New 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
