Project Contact: Scott Koproski ( Scott_Koproski@fws.gov )

Background

Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) provided fishery assistance to the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in 2007 and 2008. Targeted islands included Thunder Bay Island, Scarecrow Island, Sulphur Island and Grass Island. All four islands are important to the coastal fish species that reside and provide recreational fishing opportunities in the Thunder Bay area of Lake Huron. These islands provide important feeding, spawning, and nursery habitat to a variety of fish species but the status of these populations is unknown. By obtaining baseline data we will be able to monitor the trends of these populations and see what impacts habitat alteration, exotic species, and cormorant predation are having on these populations. Funding was provided by the Service’s Challenge Grant Program. The study was a cooperative effort between the Michigan DNR and the Service.

Recent Activities

Alpena FWCO Conducts Assessments at Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

In June 2008, Fishery Biologists Scott Koproski, Adam Kowalski, and Andrea Ania conducted an
electro-fishing survey funded through the Service’s Challenge Grant Program to collect fishery data
surrounding the islands located in Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay. This was a cooperative project
between the Michigan DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). read more >

Michigan Islands Refuge Survey

During the month of June 2007, Fishery Biologists Scott Koproski and Adam Kowalski and Project Leader Jerry McClain began field work to obtain data on the fishery resources near islands located in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron with funding which was provided by the Service’s Challenge Grant Program. Two of the four islands where fishery data will be collected are owned by the Service and are part of the Michigan Islands NWR. The study is a cooperative effort between the Michigan DNR and the Service. read more >

Resource Materials

Report - Examination of Fishery Habitat. October 2002. (pdf - 259 Kb)

Useful Websites

Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge Website - http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=31522

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