Ashland NFWCO Partners with Ashland-Bayfield-Douglas-Iron Counties Land Conservation Department on Fish Passage Projects
A unique partnership has been formed between the Ashland NFWCO and Ashland-Bayfield-Douglas-Iron Counties Land Conservation Department (ABDI) in regards to fish passage projects being implemented by the Ashland NFWCO.  ABDI now goes into the field with the Ashland NFWCO staff and helps in conducting the preliminary surveys for the culvert replacements.  Mike Pero, Civil Engineering Technician and Ben Dufford, Resource Management Specialist, from ABDI are the two technicians usually accompanying the NFWCO and they bring along a Nikon Total Station Survey unit.  The Total Station Survey unit is used in plotting the present culvert and topography around it and the information is downloaded into an ArcView file.  This information is then used to determine the proper sizing of the culvert needed for the crossing, and the correct setting of the culvert, including the slope needed to allow a “natural” flow to occur at the crossing.  Plans are then reviewed by both offices and if an unusual design is needed, a consultation with Paul Johnson, engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Services will occur.  After the plans have been finalized the NFWCO and ABDI present the new designs to the town boards for their approval.  The Ashland NFWCO, ABDI and the NRCS offices have a long history of assisting each other with numerous wetland and stream restoration projects.  The Fish Passage partnership is another chapter in this history which will provide many benefits for migratory brook trout, lake sturgeon and other Service trust resources.

New L☺☺K for the Fish Lines Newsletter and the Region 3 Fisheries Web Page
Frank Stone traveled to the Regional Office to discuss updating the look of the Fish Lines Newsletter and the Fisheries Internet Home page.  Along with Dave Radloff, Karla Bartlet and Jeff Finley, the team drafted recommendations on marketing the Region 3 Fisheries Program for greater visibility.  Our suggestions included; enhancing the look and feel of Fish Lines in order to broaden our audience, revitalization of Region 3 Fisheries website to update content, plus overall marketing strategies. 
 
Currently the Fish Lines newsletter is geared toward internal stakeholders; however Fish Lines has the potential to be more than that.  By providing guidance to the field on writing style and content, we hope to provide more reader friendly articles that will be read by a larger audience.  The group also identified an approach to revitalize the R3 Fisheries website that will expand on the content and ease navigation to all the relevant sites.  Although time lines are still being developed, the team hopes to have the new look for the Fish Lines newsletter and the Fisheries web site on-line by April 2007.

Annual Toy Drive is Another Big Success at Ashland NFWCO
The Ashland NFWCO, along with the National Park Service Great Lakes Network Office and USGS Lake Superior Biological Office, teamed up and collected toys for the annual Ashland Firefighters Toys for Tots and Teens program.  This is the fifth year the offices have contributed to this worthy program.  Toys collected through this program are distributed throughout the surrounding Ashland – Bayfield - Iron counties area.  This toy drive is now the 24th year that the program that the program has been able to give presents to 500 – 700 kids (each year).

Ashland NFWCO completes Lake Superior angler’s creel lake trout scale reading for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The Ashland NFWCO has completed another set of lake trout scales collected from anglers at various creel check points on Lake Superior.  The creel is run by the Marquette Fisheries Station, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  Scales were collected in both 1836 and 1842 treaty waters of Lake Superior.  The ageing information is used in conjunction with the biological data in models regulating harvest of lake trout in Lake Superior. Approximately 600 lake trout scales from the 2006 creel (1836 waters) and 150 scales from the 2006 creel (1842 waters) were read. This was the fifth year the Ashland NFWCO has assisted with scale reading for the MDNR and this partnership appears to be a long-term association.  Data collected from the creels and surveys by the natural resource agencies throughout the lake will once again ensure the restoration of a native species in Lake Superior.

Poster Presentations for the 2007 Fisheries Project Leaders Meeting
At the request of the Regional Office, the Ashland NFWCO prepared three poster presentations for the February Project Leaders Meeting.  The topics we presented included the following:

Ashland NFWCO Helps to Announce the 2007 Private Stewardship Grants and the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grants Programs
Frank Stone mailed out an announcement to 27 of our tribal cooperators regarding the Services Private Stewardship and Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grant Programs for 2007. 

The Private Stewardship Grants program provides federal grants on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that help federally listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed candidate and other at-risk species.  This program is just one of a variety of tools available under the Endangered Species Act that help landowners plan and implement projects to conserve species. These grants and cooperative agreements provide incentives to foster citizen participation in the stewardship of our nation's natural resources.

The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grants program also provides federal grants on a competitive basis to states, tribes and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources and their habitat in the Great Lakes basin. The projects are funded under authority of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006.

In the notice drafted to the tribes, they were also encouraged to contact their local U.S. FWS office if additional technical assistance is needed in the preparation of their proposals. Contact information, web site links and due dates were also provided.

2006 Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon Coordination Meeting
Members of the Service’s Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team - Lake Sturgeon Committee, with assistance from a steering committee of several partner representatives, held a third Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon Coordination meeting, November 29-30, 2006 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  The purpose of these meetings is to provide a forum to foster communication and exchange of information relating to the study, management, and restoration of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes basin, to address priority research and assessment needs, and to address selected emerging issues. 
 
Over 120 individuals attended the meeting representing 40 different entities including state, tribal/First Nation, federal and provincial governments, academic, private, and other NGOs.  Evaluation forms completed by participants were extremely positive and supportive of the meeting and indicated that attendees were very pleased with the presentations and opportunities for interpersonal interaction.
 
Fish biologists, Henry Quinlan and Jonathan Pyatskowit of the Ashland NFWCO contributed to the meeting.  Henry served as a member of the Service steering committee that lead the planning, organization and leadership of the Coordination Meeting.  In addition, Henry prepared and gave a presentation during the Assessment Technology session of the workshop on the use of PIT tag technology for lake sturgeon rehabilitation in the Great Lakes.  He also led the breakout session meeting of the Lake Superior Lake Sturgeon Work Group.
 
Jonathan contributed to the meeting by handling the audiovisual duties for 25 PowerPoint and video presentations given during the meeting.  His professionalism and thoroughness ensured that all presentations functioned as expected and that presenters were at ease and familiar with the equipment prior to and during their presentations.

Ashland NFWCO Great Lakes Vessel Fleet and Assessment Activities
Henry Quinlan and Glenn Miller summarized the USFWS Great Lakes vessel and assessment capabilities for Lake Superior as part of a region-wide compilation of this information.  This compilation included information on our station small vessels (<30') that operate on Lake Superior, personnel needs to fully accomplish work activities identified, and projections for M/V Baird operation.  Ashland NFWCO has 3 vessels dedicated to Lake Superior fishery assessment.  They include the R/V Chub, a 29.5’ gill net vessel, the Northern Shoveler, a 26’ vessel capable of conducting bottom and mid-water trawling, and the 20’ vessel, Shiny, outfitted for trawling in embayments and estuaries of the Great Lakes.  Combined, these vessels can be on the water for up to 110 days a year.  With a minimum of a two person crew that amounts to at least 220 crew days during the open water season.

Lake Superior Binational Program Accomplishments
Ashland NFWCO personnel continue to work with the Lake Superior Binational Program, serving on the Lake Superior Task Force and Work Group, as U.S. Co-Chair of the Aquatics Community Committee and member of the Terrestrial Wildlife Community Committee.  Significant accomplishments so far in FY 2007 include:  

• Attendance of Lake Superior Task Force, Work Group, Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Community Committee (TWCC) meetings and conference calls. 
• Attended and participated in the SOLEC conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in November of 2006.  Provided ACC materials and comments to draft the presentation prepared for the Lake Superior breakout session.  Provided material for the Ecosystem Goals presentation of the SOLEC Lake Superior breakout session. 
• In collaboration with our counterparts, submitted the three top priority TWCC and ACC accomplishments of 2006 for inclusion in the Lake Superior Annual Report. 
• Continued support of the Lake Superior Pathfinders Leadership School as well as the Connecting the Coast project. 
• Provided information and ecosystem review of the Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Updater. 
• Provided input and edits to the revision of the Ecosystem Goals.  Attended multiple conference calls about and provided material for the ecosystem goals revision. 
• In conjunction with the winter Lake Superior Technical Committee (LSTC) meeting, solicited presentations on fisheries issues for the October SOL Conference, developed topics for discussion and action by the ACC including progress made on the 2004-06 work plan, and development of work plan priorities for 2007-09. 
• Presented status updates on lake sturgeon and coaster brook trout rehabilitation at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Committee meeting in March.
• Coordination of the TWCC involvement in the implementation of the herptile project by tracking project progress and organizing conference calls to receive updates and provide TWCC input to the principle investigators. 
• Attended two Hog Island planning meetings to offer input into restoration and protection activities proposed for the site.  Opportunities were explored for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be a partner on future wildlife habitat restoration projects at the site.

Scholarships for Deserving Students
At the request of the Washburn High School, Washburn, WI., Frank Stone participated in the review and scoring of 26 senior high school scholarships.  A total of 16 scholarships amounting to $9,000 were awarded to students from the 2007 graduating class.  Ranking criteria included academic achievement, development of leadership skills, community and school participation, financial need and prior work experience.

Ashland NFWCO’s Web Page Receives 114,000 Internet Hits for the Month of April!
The Fish & Wildlife Service’s Internet tracking system has shown that the Ashland NFWCO received 114,545 hits for the month of April, 2007.  If we were to equate this demand to phone calls during a normal 20-day work month, the office would have received 5,727 phone calls per day.  Naturally this is an overstatement of what would have actually occurred.  However, what is not exaggerated is the enhanced level of technical support and general information that is now being accessed by the public.  One has to just wonder what dividends will develop from this level of public interest.

Some of the highlights collected from this survey include: 

• Average hits per day:    3,949
• Average Page Views per Day:  600
• Most Visited Pages:  Home page, Midwest Tribal Aquaculture Network (MTAN), Accomplishment Reports for 2004 ~ 2006, Aquatic Invasive Species and Ruffe Control.
• Most Downloaded Files:  Ruffe Surveillance Reports, Wisconsin Brook Trout Management Plan, Aquatic Invasive Species and Restoring Coaster Brook Trout.
• Most Active Countries:  United States, Canada, China and United Kingdom.
• Total Number of Countries Visiting Site:  50

Spreading the Words - Aquatic Habitat
Ashland NFWCO and partner agencies working to establish a National Fish Habitat Action Plan for Lake Superior continue their efforts through the Lake Superior Habitat Partnership.  Formed in spring 2006, the Lake Superior Habitat Partnership currently has 23 partner organizations and agencies working cooperatively to “restore and protect watershed habitat to increase the abundance of coldwater species (like trout and salmon) and to enhance the health and stability of the aquatic community.”   Many of the agencies and organizations are currently involved with projects to protect and restore stream habitat.
 
Ashland NFWCO biologist, Henry Quinlan, delivered a presentation to the Lake Superior LaMP Superior Work Group at their meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario on the Lake Superior Habitat Partnership and invited agencies to participate on the effort.  The Superior Work Group has representatives from 27 agencies/offices working to protect and restore the Lake Superior environment.  Henry also provided the presentation in electronic format for the subsequent Lake Superior Task Force call.  The Task Force is comprised of upper level managers from 16 agencies working in the Lake Superior watershed.  The presentation can be saved or viewed by click on the link under the National Fish Habitat Initiative http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ashland/Aquatic_Hab_Conservation.html 
 
The Partnership has developed a Guiding Document which identifies goals and objectives developed by consensus and identified 29 priority watersheds in the states of WI, MI, and MN.  The Service continues to provide leadership for the Partnership committing personnel and financial resources to the effort.  Over the past few years, the Service has provided over $230,000 to projects in Wisconsin’s priority watersheds, $21,000 to projects in Michigan’s priority watersheds, and $11,000 to projects in Minnesota priority watersheds. 

Focus on Fish & Wildlife Newsletter
The Ashland NFWCO publishes a quarterly newsletter called Focus on Fish & Wildlife.  The newsletter is intended to be a “quick read” platform that provide highlights and images of specific high profile activities.  Networking with our cooperators and the public to inform and share our accomplishments can take place in many fashions.  The Ashland NFWCO’s newsletter and extensive web pages are just two tools we use to communicate our responsibilities and staff accomplishments.  The July 2007 issue of Focus on Fish & Wildlife is now on the web!  To review this or previous issues, point your Internet browser to:  http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ashland/news.html.

This quarter’s Fish & Wildlife highlights included:

Ducks On A Stick - Big Hit at Ashland Primary School
Kindergarten and First Grade classes at Ashland Primary School got a special treat in the closing days of the 2007 School year.  While not very tasty because the feathers are still in the way, they all loved the Ducks On A Stick presentation given by Ted Koehler from the Ashland NFWCO.  Questions were asked from the minute the birds were brought through the door, and the whole time could have been spent just answering their eager stream of inquiries.  However, there was time to squeeze in the presentations and children got to hold a duck and parade it for the class while the others tried to guess the species and then learn a little bit about the bird and its habits.

Ducks On A Stick are literally ducks attached to a stick so people can handle and identify these taxidermy mounted specimens.  They were provided by Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge and were a big hit at the school as well as the Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival.  Species commonly found on Lake Superior and it’s wetlands around Ashland such as American black ducks, lesser scaup and mallards were part of the show.  For the first time, many of the kids got to see, touch and learn about species such as American black ducks, mallards and lesser scaup.  Now, the next time they stand at Prentice Park overlooking Lake Superior coastal wetlands, they can impress mom and dad with their knowledge of the blue-winged teal that may swim by.

 Electrofishing Demonstration for YCC Staff
At the request of the staff from the Whittlesey Creek NWR, Frank Stone presented a backpack electrofishing demonstration to six YCC employees.  The activity began with a discussion on why and how this gear type is used.  Once the safety issues were discussed the group followed Frank through a section of lower Whittlesey Creek.  Each person had an opportunity to “carry” the bucket and feel first hand how to walk over the sand, rocks and logs while attempting to collect fish in a fast running stream.  During the demonstration, about 20 rainbow trout were collected and then safely returned into Whittlesey Creek.  The group had several questions for Frank on how survey data is ultimately used to formulate management decisions and expressed their appreciation for the field experience.  Because of the close proximity of the Ashland NFWCO and the Whittlesey Creek NWR, training opportunities such as this are easy to arrange and add yet another level of experience for Service employees.

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Ashland NFWCO Completes Preliminary Fish Passage Surveys on 2006 Projects
The Ashland NFWCO and Ashland-Bayfield-Douglas-Iron Counties Land Conservation Department (ABDI) have completed the preliminary surveys on four fish passage projects.  Road crossings surveyed were: 18 Mile Creek, Town of Grand View; Gin Creek, Town of Marengo,;Wildcat Creek, Town of Lincoln and Little Whittlesey Creek, Town of Barksdale.  The crew used a Nikon Total Survey Station to plot the present location of the culvert to be replaced and this includes a topographic survey of the surrounding area.  This data is then downloaded into an ArcView file and a new design for the culvert is plotted.  Using this program allows the designers to choose the appropriate grade and slope, depth for setting the culvert and designing of the slope around the culvert.  A meeting with the appropriate town boards will be scheduled for January/February of 2007 to evaluate the proposed plans.  Construction will begin after water levels have subsided to summer low flows.  All work performed will use Best Management Practices and will be permitted through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Army Corp of Engineers.

Fall Coaster Brook Trout Assessments Completed at Red Cliff
Ashland NFWCO assisted the Red Cliff Natural Resources Department with their fall assessments of coaster brook trout in Lake Superior.  The Red Cliff tribe has a stocking program where Lake Nipigon strain brook trout are reared in the tribal hatchery and stocked into Lake Superior.  The tribe has collaborated with the Service to use electrofishing to capture fish to assess their stocking program.  Thirteen kilometers of shoreline were sampled as 1 km segments; 4 km in Raspberry Bay, 2 km in Frog Bay, and 7 km in Red Cliff and Buffalo bays.  In each segment, relative abundances of species are recorded as present (1-4 individuals), common (5-25 individuals), and abundant (>25 individuals).  An attempt is made to capture any brook trout encountered. 

Brook trout captured were measured for length and weight, examined for a fin clip (an indication of hatchery origin), tagged with a Floy tag if >208 mm, and then released.  Fish without a fin clip were tissue sampled for later genetic analysis to identify population of origin.  During the October and November 2006 sampling (6 nights of effort), 47 brook trout were captured, more than twice the number that were captured during sampling efforts in 2005.  Only two of the fish captured were unclipped, indicating that at present the population is comprised almost entirely of stocked fish.  Many of the fish captured were sexually mature.  The tribe is encouraged with the results of these surveys and hope these fish will reproduce and some day support a naturalized population.

 Ashland NFWCO Coordinates Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Circle of Flight Partnerships
The Circle of Flight (CoF) program is a waterfowl restoration program unique to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Midwest Region.  It was initially funded in 1991 and has since distributed over 9 million dollars to 31 reservations and three inter-tribal organizations for waterfowl research and management projects as well as waterfowl habitat restoration and enhancement.  CoF funds have been used as matching funds for tribes to participate in several North American Waterfowl Plan projects.  The reservations and inter-tribal organizations are key partners with federal agencies, state and county governments, and private organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.

The Ashland NFWCO working through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has worked in partnership with the Circle of Flight program since its inception and has provided financial and technical assistance on tribal projects across the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. 

This year a new approach is being undertaken to better provide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assistance on CoF projects.  Instead of the Ashland NFWCO being responsible across three states, they will attend the CoF meetings and coordinate projects with the three individual state Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program offices.  This years CoF meeting was held in March at the Lac du Flambeau Reservation and the majority of the tribes within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Midwest Region were in attendance.

The Ashland NFWCO still directly assists the four tribes and three inter-tribal organizations located within its Wisconsin Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program area of responsibility. The office’s Habitat and Wildlife Operations section is currently working with the Lac du Flambeau tribe to replace the water control structure on the 400 acre Sugarbush Impoundment of the 14,000 acre Powel Marsh.  This highly important emergent marsh wetland system annually supports hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl and songbirds.  A second project is in partnership with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and will restore the 43 acre Jackson Box Flowage in Douglas County Wisconsin.  This emergent marsh wetland is an integral part of a 900 acre wetland system important to migratory waterfowl and songbirds.  Leveraging Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program dollars on these projects will have large scale long term benefits for migratory and local wildlife in northern Wisconsin.

 Lake Sturgeon Study Continues to do well in the White River
Ashland NFWCO staff with the assistance of Bad River Tribal Natural Resources Department members, and area volunteers set gill nets for sturgeon on the White River, Wisconsin.  This is the second year of a study to determine if sturgeon are reaching spawning habitat upriver or are being blocked by four large log jams.  Two 100’ gill nets were set below the potential barrier and one 100’ net was set just upriver of the structures.  After 3 weeks of sets, a total of 44 sturgeon were caught in the lower nets and another 7 were captured in the upstream net. The fish were measured, weighed, sexed, and given a numbered Floy tag and a PIT tag (passive internal transmitter).  Seven of the fish were recaps dating back several years with one being handled initially in 1994.  None of the sturgeon captured were caught in both the downstream and upstream net. 

On May 3rd, 10th and 17th three larval drift nets were set at to collect larval sturgeon.  The nets were set at dusk and lifted twice, approximately once an hour.  Larval fish were counted and sub samples of 50 individuals from each genus were measured.  The catches primarily consisted of suckers and walleye but one larval sturgeon was caught on the last night of sampling.  The larval sturgeon, measuring 18mm and was brought back to the lab for pictures and then released back in the river.

Fish Relocation at Shacte Creek
Frank Stone and Jessica Krajniak provided technical assistance to the staff of the Iron River National Fish Hatchery during their effort to transfer (via back pack shocking) wild trout from the upper sections of Shacte Creek. This collection effort was targeted primarily for brook trout found within a ¾ mile section of the creek up river of the hatchery. As a result of this effort, 30 brook trout were moved to a lower section of the creek below the dam. Shacte Creek is the primary source of water for the hatchery, thus it’s imperative to maintain wild fish stocks to a minimum to reduce the potential for transferring pathogens to the hatchery’s production fish.

New Digs for Hatchery Raised Coasters
This May, when water levels were stable and insects beginning to hatch, twenty thousand 1.5 inch long spring fingerlings from Iron River NFH and 50 adult coaster brook trout from Genoa NFH were given new stomping grounds when Service biologists and volunteers from Trout Unlimited, Northland College, and Ashland schools stocked them in the Whittlesey Creek watershed.  The stockings are part of a cooperative experiment between the Service and Wisconsin DNR to determine if a migratory population of brook trout can be established in Whittlesey Creek through stocking several different life stages of Lake Superior strain coasters, protective regulations, and habitat improvements.
 
The stocking crew undertook the annual blood letting ritual and forged clouds of mosquitoes and hatching black flies to transfer the fish safely to suitable stream habitat.  The fingerlings were stocked in upstream reaches which provide suitable rearing habitat for juvenile trout and salmon, while the adults were placed further downstream in areas with deeper pools and larger forage are present.  Biologists are hoping the fish will leave the stream, feed and grow in Chequamegon Bay and Lake Superior, and return to spawn in the creek. 
 
To assess the status of the fish community and estimate abundance of trout and salmon, Wisconsin DNR and Service biologist with help from Trout Unlimited volunteers conduct a survey each September in Whittlesey Creek.  In addition, Ashland NFWCO has placed underwater video camera in the stream to detect upstream and downstream movement of fish.

 Miles and Miles of Shoreline Surveyed for Coaster Brook Trout
A fishery survey was conducted on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation to determine the presence and relative abundance of coaster brook trout. These fish were once abundant throughout the nearshore waters of Lake Superior, but due to overfishing and habitat degradation, there are only a handful of waters around Lake Superior that still have spawning populations of these magnificent fish. 

This two night survey was conducted using an electrofishing boat. The crew started from the mouth of the Pigeon River, moving southward along the north shore. This nearshore survey was part of a Lake Superior restoration plan sponsored by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Biological data collected included species caught, length, numbered Floy tag, and tissue samples (for genetic analysis).  The information obtained will help Grand Portage and Service fishery managers gain a broader understanding of the abundance of coaster brook along the Minnesota north shore.

During the survey, the crew focused on netting only brook trout. Other fish species observed during the study were noted as few in numbers (1-4 fish), common (5-25 fish) or abundant (>26 fish). The second night of the survey was cut short due to adverse weather conditions.  However, of the 25 miles that were covered during the study, eight coaster brook trout were collected.  This is a significant increase compared to three brook trout that were collected in 2006 (167% increase in catch rates).  Additional yearly assessments will be scheduled to help determine if these fish are beginning to re-establish the north shores.

Ashland NFWCO Completes Electrofishing Survey on Vaughn Creek to Document Fish Passage After Construction
Personnel from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fisheries – Mercer, Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Wisconsin Rapids and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Ashland NFWCO used backpack electrofishing gear to assess fish passage on Vaughn Creek, Iron County, Wisconsin.  A step pool series was completed in September of 2006 on the Highway 169 crossing in order to raise the water level of the pool below a perched culvert so fish such as native brook trout can pass through the system.
 
A pre-construction fish survey was completed in August of 2006, three weeks before construction began.  Two crews worked marking fish below and above the culvert.  Brook trout were the only salmonid species caught and were given differentiating clips to identify if they were originally collected above or below the barrier.  A total of 21 brook trout were shocked above the culvert, and given a top caudal clip, and 31 brookies below, which were given a lower caudal clip.  The initial plan was to survey the two stretches of Vaughn Creek a month after construction was completed, but low water levels kept the pools very low and not allowing fish passage.  When the fall rains finally did come along with the addition of some early snow melt, the crews were not able to survey this site. 

After a hectic spring for everyone the crews finally made it back to the site in June of 2007.  Again the two crews surveyed the same areas as before, collecting all brook trout seen.   The lower stretch yielded 25 brookies, with three of them having the lower caudal clip.  The upper stretch yielded 40 brook trout, with one fish having an upper caudal clip, and one with a lower caudal clip.  The crews were quite happy to see the modifications were working and at least one brook trout had made it through the step pools and culvert and found its way into the upper stretch.

Coaster Abundance Climbs
In June 2007, for the second consecutive year, coaster numbers increased in our index survey.  Using data gathered and analyzed by Ashland NFWCO, Michigan DNR and the National Park have implemented various management actions over the years including size, bag limit and seasonal harvest regulations, gear and bait changes, and educational programs.  As a result of low or declining abundance from 2000-2004, both agencies implemented “catch and release only” regulations for brook trout at the island in 2005. 

New Ashland NFWCO project leader, Mark Brouder, and the Glase family (Jay, Cindy and Joe) with the National Park Service were relatively busy netting coasters during recent electrofishing surveys in Tobin Harbor.  The 2007 catch per unit effort of 15 fish per hour was up from last year’s 10/hr, and up significantly from the six-year average from 2000-2005 of 3/hr. Particularly promising were the distribution of coasters throughout Tobin Harbor as they were caught in 13 of 17 stations and the abundance of young fish age 1 and 2 which will mature and spawn in several years.

The work conducted in cooperation with the National Park Service and Michigan DNR, was the eighth consecutive spring coaster index survey in Tobin Harbor.  We also surveyed Siskiwit Bay where a total of 430,000 brook trout reared at Iron River and Genoa National Fish Hatcheries were stocked from 1999-2005.  Four stocked coasters were captured under difficult survey conditions and limitations due to boat presence at docks.  Three fish had left ventral fin clips indicating they were stocked in 2004 and one fish had a right ventral fin clip which was stocked in 2003.  Biologists also observed coasters from the dock and received reports of small schools of coasters being observed by Park Service personnel.  Despite the low catch, abundance in Siskiwit Bay appears to be increasing, primarily as a result of stocking.

The overall goal of the project at Isle Royale is to protect self-sustaining coaster brook trout populations and rehabilitate depleted populations.  Specific objectives of the spring work are to determine the relative abundance of wild and stocked coasters, to describe population demographics, to mark and recapture fish for population estimates, determine of growth and movement, and to collect tissue samples for genetic analysis.

Fish Relocation at Shacte Creek
Frank Stone and Whittlesey Creek YCC members Scott Stipetich and Sara Fletcher, provided technical assistance to the staff of the Iron River National Fish Hatchery during their effort to transfer (via back pack shocking) wild trout from the upper sections of Shacte Creek. This collection effort was targeted primarily for brook trout found within a ¾ mile section of the creek up river of the hatchery. As a result of this effort, 75 brook trout were moved to a lower section of the creek below the dam.  Shacte Creek is the primary source of water for the hatchery, thus it’s imperative to maintain wild fish stocks to a minimum to reduce the potential for transferring pathogens to the hatchery’s production fish.

Final Schacte Creek Fish Relocation Conducted to Determine the Presence of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens
Frank Stone and Whittlesey Creek YCC crew leader, Scott Stipetich, provided technical assistance to the staff of the Iron River National Fish Hatchery during their effort to transfer (via back pack shocking) wild trout from the upper sections of Schacte Creek. This collection effort was the third (and final) project for the year that targeted brook trout found within a ¾ mile section of the creek up river of the hatchery. As a result of this effort, 60 brook trout were moved to a lower section of the creek and placed in live traps.  These fish will be sampled by staff from the LaCrosse Fish Health Office, to determine the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens.Schacte Creek is the primary source of water for the hatchery, thus it's imperative to maintain wild fish stocks to a minimum to reduce the potential for transferring pathogens to the hatchery’s production fish.

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No Ruffe Captured in Eastern Lake Superior
The Ashland NFWCO, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) completed fall surveillance of invasive ruffe and other aquatic invasive species in Lake Superior from the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan/Ontario.  A total of seven nearshore locations were surveyed, targeting habitat preferred by ruffe and other invasives.  No ruffe were captured east of the Keweenaw Peninsula (south central Lake Superior).  This is in contrast to the spring 2006 survey, which confirmed several ruffe captured in eastern Lake Superior. 

The spring 06 ruffe discoveries in eastern Lake Superior prompted a consolidated effort by the Ashland and Alpena NFWCO’s and cooperation from the MIDNR, OMNR, and the ACOE to survey for ruffe in the St. Marys River near the Soo Locks on the Lake Superior side.  Following discussion with the ACOE, concern was raised that ruffe could migrate through the Locks, down the St Marys River, and reinforce the declining Lake Huron ruffe population (no ruffe have been captured in Lake Huron since 2003). With cooperation from the OMNR, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit-Lake Superior and Algoma Steel Inc., a commercial vessel slip (attractive to ruffe) owned by Algoma Steel was sampled in the St Marys River on the Lake Superior side of the Locks.  No ruffe or other invasives were captured in this slip.  The Alpena NFWCO sampled other sites further upriver from the Locks on the Lake Superior side, and no ruffe or other invasives were captured there. Other planned sampling was not completed near Sault Ste. Marie due to weather, including the Soo Locks.

Abundance of Invasive Ruffe Continues to Increase in Thunder Bay Harbour, Lake Superior
The Ashland NFWCO and the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) completed a fall investigation of the invasive ruffe population in central and southern Thunder Bay Harbour, Lake Superior.  This long term investigation is conducted annually to monitor relative abundance and distribution of ruffe and native fish in central and southern Thunder Bay Harbour.  A total of 2,345 ruffe were captured for a catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of 1,655 ruffe per hour in trawls.  This catch is more than double the previous high catch and the CPUE is triple the previous high CPUE set in 2003.  In the southern half of the harbour, the largest ruffe colonies occur in the Kaministiquia and Mission Rivers which drain into the harbour. 

Stickleback, smelt, and trout-perch have been the most abundant native fish in association with ruffe since this survey began in 1991.  As ruffe increase in abundance, data from this investigation may reveal potential impact on native species in terms of abundance, and these investigations also aid in detecting ruffe vulnerabilities that may be exploited for population reductions.  Potential ruffe vulnerability was detected in the Kaministiquia River, and the feasibility of an effective population reduction there is pending investigation.

Ruffe Reduction Experiment Benefits Lake Sturgeon Study
The Ashland NFWCO and the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) continue to investigate the feasibility of bottom trawling in reducing an abundant invasive ruffe colony in the Kaministiquia (Kam) River, Ontario, a tributary of Lake Superior.  Biologists believe that an abundance of chironomids (midge fly larvae) and oligochaetes (tubifex worms) in this site may be attracting ruffe and lake sturgeon.  A total of 4.7 hours trawling effort in 2005 and 2006 combined has netted a total of 6,837 adult ruffe and 14 juvenile lake sturgeon.  OMNR is coordinating with Ontario Hydroelectric in a water flow project that allows adult sturgeon to access a known spawning site upriver from the ruffe reduction site.  OMNR reported that 9 out of the 11 sturgeon captured during the 2005 ruffe reduction were likely spawned in this upriver site in 2004.  If ruffe reduction in the Kam River proves feasible, the juvenile sturgeon bycatch from future ruffe reductions would aid OMNR in establishing an index of juvenile sturgeon abundance.  This index would be a useful monitoring tool during years in which a water drawdown prevents sturgeon access to their spawning site.  At least one 5-day continuous trawling effort is required to assess the feasibility of an effective long term ruffe reduction in this Kam River site.  Ashland NFWCO and OMNR are coordinating this trawling effort.

Ruffe Control Abstract Accepted in Upcoming Research Conference
The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) has accepted an abstract based on a ruffe control experiment conducted by the Ashland NFWCO and Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin.  The experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of bottom trawling in physically removing isolated colonies of invasive ruffe will be presented as a poster in IAGLR’s 50th Great Lakes Research Conference – Past, Present, and Future, hosted by Penn State University.  The conference will focus on the history of research in the Great Lakes, what is currently known, and a look into the future for resolving complex issues relating to limnology and lakes management.  The conference convenes from May 28 to June 1, 2007, and the poster will be displayed in the session, “Challenges and Successes for Addressing AIS (aquatic invasive species) in the Great Lakes and Inland Waters”.  The experiment confirmed earlier observations that ruffe colonies confined to small and isolated areas of preferred habitat may be vulnerable to effective removal by physical methods.  The term “effective removal” implies removal of 90% or more of the total individuals that comprise a colony.  The conference oral and poster presentations combined will encompass a total of 536 Great Lakes research projects.

Service Contributes Data to Status of Lake Superior Fishery Resources
Ashland office fish biologists, Jonathan Pyatskowit, Glenn Miller, Gary Czypinski, and Henry Quinlan and office administrator, Joan Bratley worked as a team to summarize data on lake trout, lake whitefish, siscowet, cisco, and all species collected during aquatic invasive species surveys for the Lake Superior State of the Lake report.  Biologists conducted surveys and assisted Joan with data entry.  Joan and Henry queried the database records and provided data to partner fishery agencies.  Fishery agencies actively involved with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Superior Technical Committee are contributing data and expertise to develop oral presentations for the 2007 Lake Committee meetings which will feature Lake Superior's aquatic ecosystem.  The presentations will be followed with written reports.  Henry serves as a member of the Technical Committee and is the lead for the lake sturgeon and brook trout sections and a contributor for the very nearshore fish community section.

Great Lakes Fish Invader Expands Only in Lake Superior…Highlights 2006 Report
The National Fish & Wildlife Conservation Offices (NFWCO) of Ashland, Alpena, Lower Great Lakes, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) collaborated in drafting the report, Surveillance For Ruffe in the Great Lakes, 2006.  The invasive, perch-like ruffe received the stigma of “nuisance species” in 1992, following suspected implication with declines of native forage fish in the Twin Ports harbor of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The report summarizes fish sampling activity in each of the Great Lakes that targets invasive ruffe, as well as other reported fish sampling that does not target ruffe, but is capable of capturing ruffe incidentally.  From this sampling data, new locations containing ruffe are identified, the range of ruffe is updated, and control strategy is evaluated based on location of new discoveries and the suspected pathway of introduction.  Sampling that targets ruffe (dedicated ruffe surveillance) also collects baseline data on native fish communities.  Since 1992, the USFWS and OMNR have been tracking the ruffe to document its range, evaluating opportunities to delay ruffe range expansion in the Great Lakes, and working to prevent range expansion into inland lakes and streams. 

Assisting with this task are numerous cooperators including the U.S. Geological Survey, the state departments of natural resources bordering the Great Lakes, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Native American communities, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Sea Grant, universities, and recreational anglers.  The ruffe was confined to western Lake Superior until 1995, when it was detected in Lake Huron, near Alpena, Michigan.  Catch per unit effort in Lake Huron surveillance trawls reached a climax of 660 per hour in 1999, but declined to zero in 2001. 

Capitalizing on a distressed, self-confined ruffe population, the Alpena NFWCO enhanced the ruffe decline by initiating an intense gill netting effort in 2002 to remove adult spawning ruffe.  Paralleling the ruffe decline in Lake Huron was increasing round goby abundance there, suggesting that the goby may have also been a contributing factor in that ruffe decline.  No ruffe have been captured from Lake Huron since 2003.  In Lake Superior during 2006, the ruffe made a major range advance of 226 km eastward along the south shore from Marquette Harbor, Michigan.  Along the Lake Superior north shore, minor expansion was verified within the ruffe range in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The Bays de Noc have comprised the ruffe range in Lake Michigan, since 2002 and 2004.  No ruffe range expansion was detected in Lake Michigan during 2006.  In the Lower Great Lakes, ruffe remain undetected, as well as in all inland lakes and streams within the Great Lakes Basin.  The complete ruffe surveillance report is distributed to the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and the National ANS Task Force; and will be available on the Ashland NFWCO website, http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ashland.

Soo Locks Sampled for Ruffe and Other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Gary Czypinski and University of Notre Dame volunteer, Jody Murray, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), completed surveillance trawling for ruffe and other AIS in the two most active of the four U.S. Locks.  Close coordination, including radio communication and visual observation, between the Ashland survey crew and Chief Lockmaster, Gary Clow, insured the safety of the crew and prevented delays to shipping.  Although many fish were observed on the trawler fish finder within the Lock water columns, no fish were captured in the bottom trawl which primarily samples bottom dwelling forage fish such as the ruffe.  No further surveillance trawling is planned within the Soo Locks until ruffe are confirmed in closer proximity to the Locks.  ACOE personnel Carl Woodruff, Al Klein, Kevin Sprague, and Gary Clow are to be commended for their high level of support and coordination, which contributed greatly to the successful trawling of this AIS surveillance target.  In other surveillance sampling, no ruffe or other AIS were captured during extensive sampling in the St. Marys River above the Soo Locks, and in Marquette Harbor and Huron Bay in Lake Superior. 

The Eurasian ruffe, an exotic, invasive, perch-like fish, was accidentally introduced into the Duluth-Superior Harbor, Minnesota/Wisconsin, Lake Superior, during the mid 1980s.  The Ruffe Control Committee of the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force developed eight management objectives within the Ruffe Control Plan to prevent/delay the spread of ruffe; surveillance is one of these objectives.  Three USFWS fishery resource offices and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources are actively involved in monitoring the spread of ruffe and any other AIS that are observed incidentally in all the Great Lakes.  Due to the implementation of the Ruffe Control Plan, cooperation from the public and many partners, ruffe are mostly confined to the south shore of Lake Superior, and the spread of ruffe across the south shore (a distance greater than 700 km) was successfully delayed for 20 years until 2006.  During 2006, ruffe were confirmed in eastern Lake Superior in Whitefish Bay, 55 km west of the Soo Locks, the gateway to Lake Huron and the other Great Lakes.  The Soo Locks make it possible for fish as well as shipping to bypass the Soo Falls in the St Marys River, allowing access between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes.

No Gobies or New Invasive Species Collected from River Mile (RM) 150-143, Illinois River
Gary Czypinski from the USFWS Fishery Resources Office, Ashland, Wisconsin, and Terry Hubert from the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, crewed one of 14 survey vessels that comprised the 12th annual Carp Corral/Goby Round Up in the Illinois Waterway.  The purpose of this survey is to assess relative abundance and monitor the range expansion of the invasive round goby and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) as they migrate and expand their range from Lake Michigan down the Illinois River toward the Mississippi River.  This survey also verifies the effectiveness of the experimental electrical fish barrier located near Romeoville, Illinois, in preventing range expansion of Asian carp upstream of Romeoville toward Lake Michigan and range expansion of Lake Michigan invasive residents downstream of Romeoville toward the Mississippi River.  In this way, the experimental electrical fish barrier and the Carp Corral/Goby Round-Up, support one of eight elements comprising the Ruffe Control Plan, to prevent the movement of ruffe from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi watershed via the Chicago, Des Plaines, and Illinois Rivers.

Targeting the round goby, the Ashland /La Crosse crew sampled a 7-mile reach (RM 150-143) of the Illinois River downstream of the Peoria Lock and Dam, the leading edge of the goby range in the Illinois River.  Sampling with minnow traps and bottom trawls, the crew collected no gobies or other AIS during the 3-day effort, but numerous silver (Asian) carp were observed jumping around the sampling vessel.  A few carp even managed to jump into the vessel.  A mud substrate maintained by dredging within this reach assists in deterring occupation and migration of round goby, which prefer rock substrate.  Although not preferred by round goby, the mud substrate in the dredged channel together with the high turbidity of the water is preferred habitat for invasive ruffe.  With exception to silver carp, no goby or other AIS were captured and the leading edge of the goby range in the Illinois River remains at the Peoria Lock and Dam.

Summer Monitoring of Four Invasive Ruffe Populations Completed
The Ashland NFWCO completed summer monitoring of the invasive fish, ruffe, and native fish by bottom trawling in three Wisconsin tributaries and one Michigan tributary to Lake Superior.  These ongoing investigations were initiated in 1995 to compare trends in relative abundance of ruffe and native fish populations, one of eight elements in the Ruffe Control Plan.  Monitoring is also conducted during spring and fall, and the abundance results are averaged to account for seasonal variation.   

A total of 2,386 fish representing 18 species were captured including 2 invasive species, ruffe and threespine stickleback.  This compares to a total catch of 3,123 fish representing 25 species captured during this cycle in 2006.  Trout-perch, spottail shiner, and common shiner were the 3 most abundant species captured, comprising 57%, 18%, and 10% of the total catch respectively.  The majority (55%) of the trout-perch were captured from the Ontonagon River, Michigan.  Walleye comprised nearly 1% of the total catch with 75% of the walleye catch consisting of young-of-the-year (YOY), and all YOY walleye were captured from the Ontonagon River.  Ruffe comprised 1 % of the total catch compared to 3% during this cycle in 2006, and only 1 threespine stickleback was captured in 2007 compared to 2 fish captured in 2006.  In both years, threespine sticklebacks were only captured from the Iron River, Wisconsin.  No YOY ruffe were captured in this cycle, including the Flag River, Wisconsin, which contains the most nursery habitat of the four tributaries.  In 2006, YOY ruffe numbers in the Flag River had indicated a strong year class there.  Yellow perch comprised nearly 4 % of the total catch in this cycle, compared to 1% in 2006.  One third of the yellow perch catch were YOY, and all YOY yellow perch were captured from the Flag River.  All fish were released alive except the two invasive species.

FWS Continues Assistance to EPA with Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Case Study
The Ashland NFWCO continued technical assistance to the USEPA Laboratory, Duluth, Minnesota, in developing an aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection monitoring design.  The case study location is the Duluth/Superior Harbor, St. Louis River Estuary (SLRE), Minnesota/Wisconsin.  From 2005-07, the EPA lab studied sampling methodology relating to various aquatic habitats in order to develop a systematic early detection monitoring design encompassing both invasive fish and aquatic invertebrates.  Fish sampling methods included electrofishing, trapping, and bottom trawling. 

In 2006 and 2007, the Ashland NFWCO assisted with the trawling phase by providing a smallcraft trawler and an operator/biologist.  A trawl was specially configured with a fine mesh liner for capturing larval as well as juvenile and adult fish.  Bottom trawling was conducted in 2007 primarily for comparison with the 2006 trawling.  A total of 30 five-minute tows were completed in just over three days at point locations and zones representing a spectrum of trawlable habitats identified by the EPA.  Captured AIS included ruffe, round goby, white perch, and zebra mussels.  All of these AIS are established (reproducing) in the SLRE.  During the 2007 trawling, captured species of interest included a quillback carpsucker and a brook silversides, both native fish but rarely captured by the Ashland NFWCO trawler.  The EPA lab has reported a total of 10 new AIS (all invertebrates) detected by this case study in the SLRE.

Invasive Ruffe Decline in Four Lake Superior Tributaries; Zebra Mussel Range Expands in Lake Superior
The Ashland NFWCO completed a fall investigation of invasive ruffe and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) in four southwestern Lake Superior tributaries.  Bottom trawl sampling verified declines in all ruffe populations, and also detected the presence of zebra mussels in one of the tributary estuaries.  These ongoing investigations were initiated in 1995 to compare trends in relative abundance of ruffe and native fish populations, one of eight elements in the Ruffe Control Plan.  Monitoring is also conducted during spring and summer, and the abundance results are averaged to account for seasonal variation.
Totals of 379 fish representing 18 species and 16 crayfish representing 1 species were captured from all four tributaries, including invasive ruffe.  This compares to a total catch of 6,571 fish representing 21 species captured during this cycle in 2006.  The significant decline (94%) in the total fish catch was likely due in part to low water levels in all tributaries and high turbidity in one tributary.  The total catch included 7 (<2%) ruffe and 11 (<3%) yellow perch.  This compares to total catches of 49 (0.7%) ruffe and 42 (0.6%) yellow perch captured in fall, 2006.  Yellow perch is a species demonstrated by experimental research to be impacted by ruffe.  Common shiner, johnny darter, and trout-perch were the 3 most abundant species captured, comprising 39%, 16%, and 14% of the total catch respectively.  A total of two zebra mussels were captured from one tributary, the Amnicon River estuary, Wisconsin, a new location for this invasive.  The Amnicon River estuary is located 8 miles east of the Duluth/Superior Harbor, Minnesota/Wisconsin, the only location in Lake Superior known to have a reproducing population of zebra mussels.  No other AIS were captured.

Volunteer assistants included Don Livingston, Red Cliff Tribal Fisheries, on the Iron and Flag Rivers, Wisconsin; Bob Price, independent auto body specialist, on the Amnicon River, Wisconsin; and Jenna Scheub, intermittent with the National Park Service, on the Ontonagon River, Michigan.

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Ashland NFWCO Staff Contribute Labor to Community Event
Staff at the Ashland NFWCO, along with the NPS Great Lakes Network Office contributed their non-work time to make ice luminaries for an extremely popular community event…. Book Across the Bay.  The Book Across the Bay is a cross country ski event that attracts nearly 1,500 people of all ages.  After the sun has set, participants ski 10k across Chequamegon Bay from Ashland to Washburn.  The ski trail is lighted by 750 large ice luminaries.  The luminaries are made by freezing water in a five-gallon pail to form a clear ice structure, much like a light bulb.  Within the hollow center of the ice block, a candle is placed.  It’s an art/science to create the luminaries hollowed out center.  The Ashland NFWCO made more than 125 such luminaries.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the National Park Service were recognized as contributors for this very popular event.  The Ashland NFWCO has already been notified that we are on call to do it again next year.

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Lake Superior Sturgeon Sampling Ontonagon, Michigan
To help restore the ecological integrity and fishery potential of Lake Superior, fishery agencies developed the Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan for Lake Superior.  Many agencies are collaborating to protect and rehabilitate sturgeon populations per this plan.  One collaborative survey effort started in 2005 was undertaken once again in 2006. 

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan DNR, GLIFWC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collaborated to conduct a pilot survey in 2005 in Lake Superior waters near the mouth of the Ontonagon River.  The agencies are interested in gathering more information to evaluate stocking progress and to describe the status of lake sturgeon in Lake Superior near the Ontonagon River.

To continue on the success of last year’s effort, the Ashland NFWCO again used the USFWS R/V Chub as the platform for the gill net survey work.  To minimize capture of non-target species, nets were set and lifted at 12 hour intervals.  We were able to get eight 24 hour sets (16 lifts) during the week of October 2-6, 2006 obtaining our target of a deep and shallow set in each of three statistical grids. 

A total of 6,300 feet of net were set.  Twenty-nine juvenile lake sturgeon ranging from 401 mm to 986 mm were captured.  Coded wire tags were detected in 23 of the 29 fish captured, positively identifying them as stocked fish.  In addition, a thumb-nail size piece of tissue was collected from the fins of all fish.  Fin clips will be genetically analyzed by Michigan State University to determine the parental origin of these fish.  The sturgeon were tagged and released.  If these fish are captured during future Lake Superior survey work, agencies will obtain data on the growth and movement of these fish.

2007 Tribal Wildlife Grant and Tribal Landowner Incentive Grant Programs
The Ashland NFWCO recently mailed an announcement to all our tribal contacts alerting them to the opening of the 2007 Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) and Tribal Landowner Incentive (TLIP) Grant Programs.  Our intent was to insure that tribal resource managers and biologist were alerted to this resource funding opportunity and to remind them to contact the Ashland NFWCO for any technical assistance they may require. 
 
The TWG and TLIP programs will provide funding opportunities to protect and restore habitats for fish and wildlife species of Tribal significance.  During the first four years of these tribal grant programs, tribes in Region 3 were awarded 42 grants totaling $6,852,452. These grant programs also support the efforts of tribal governments to develop or augment the capacity to manage, conserve, or protect fish and wildlife species of concern through the provision of funding and technical support.

TWG Technical Assistance Requested from the Fond du Lac and Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewa Indians
Mike Schrage (Tribal Wildlife Biologist) from the Fond du Lac (FDL) Indian Reservation and Paul Christel (Tribal Fisheries Biologist) from the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, requested that the Ashland NFWCO review and comment on a draft Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) project 2007.  Staff biologist, Frank Stone read the draft documents and discussed the project proposals with both Mr. Schrage and Mr. Christel.
 
The FDL project would establish funding for extensive moose field research in northeast Minnesota.  The FDL Band is seeking $199,706 from the TWG Program to continue monitoring and to improve their understanding of the causes of mortality and survival rates of this important moose herd.  The FDL Band is conducting this research in partnership with; the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the 1854 Treaty Authority (representing the Bois Forte and Grand Portage Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa).

The LCO Conservation Department is proposing to initiate restoration activities for several coldwater stream habitats found on the LCO Reservation.  The proposed project would protect and enhance stream habitat on the LCO Reservation by removing barriers to fish passage, re-establishing shoreline vegetation through the planting of desired species, and by installing in-stream structures to increase cover and spawning areas for native brook trout.
 
Tribal resource programs throughout the United States will receive financial help in 2007 to initiate projects ranging from base line data collection and habitat restoration to the control of invasive plant species.  The TWG (and TLIP) program provide new funding opportunities to Tribes for activities that protect and restore habitats that will benefit fish and wildlife species of Tribal significance.  TWG grants also support the efforts of tribal governments to develop or augment the capacity to manage, conserve, or protect fish and wildlife species of concern through the provision of additional funding and technical support.

TWG Technical Assistance Request from the Sac and Fox and Bois Forte Tribes
John Leonard (Regional Tribal Liaison) requested the Ashland NFWCO review a 2007 Tribal Wildlife Grant proposal from the Sac and Fox tribe (Meskwaki Settlement).  Staff biologist, Frank Stone read the draft document and provided comments to the tribe.
 
The purpose of this proposal is to conduct an inventory of populations of game, furbearer, and non-waterfowl bird, on Tribal lands which will provide baseline data necessary for the tribe to develop management programs of the flora and fauna of the Meskwaki Settlement.  The data will also be used to implement management tools including habitat protection and development and harvest quotas.

Chris Holm (Bois Forte Water Resource Program Manager) requested the Ashland NFWCO also review a 2007 Tribal Wildlife Grant proposal.  Frank Stone was again assigned the task to read the draft document and provided comments to the tribe.
 
This project would propose a survey of aquatic plant communities and an assessment of risk of aquatic plant invasions in Nett Lake if a fish passage system is installed at the Nett River dam. This initial survey is essential to complete prior to installation of fish passage through or around the Nett River dam, so as not to allow potentially invasive plant species from being introduced to Nett Lake. Pending the outcome of survey results, a feasibility/design study would then be carried out to identify engineering costs associated with construction of a fish passage structure around Nett River dam.  This structure would allow the currently excluded fish assemblage in Nett River to access Nett Lake and provide an in-lake fish population resembling the historic assemblage once prevalent.
 
Tribal resource programs throughout the United States will receive financial help in 2007 to initiate projects ranging from base line data collection and habitat restoration to the control of invasive plant species.  The TWG (and TLIP) program provide new funding opportunities to tribes for activities that protect and restore habitats that will benefit fish and wildlife species of Tribal significance.  TWG grants also support the efforts of tribal governments to develop or augment the capacity to manage, conserve, or protect fish and wildlife species of concern through the provision of additional funding and technical support.

Inouye Joint Fishery Assessment Steering Committee
Frank Stone participated in an annual meeting of the Joint Fishery Assessment Steering Committee held at the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation.  Representatives from the Wisconsin DNR, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Bureau of Indian Affairs meet to discuss 2006 inland walleye, bass and musky surveys that were in-part funded by the Steering Committee.  Assessment data collected from spring/summer/fall surveys were presented as well as 2007 assignments and projected budget.  Additional discussion concerned the June partners fishing day event scheduled at the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation.
 
The data collected from these surveys (310) reflect the lakes recruitment values and are combined to yield the information needed to help determine the number of adult walleye that can be safely harvested by tribal spearing in 2007.

Ashland NFWCO Continues Assistance with Tribal Lake Sturgeon Study
Under a reimbursable agreement with the Grand Portage Tribe of Lake Superior Chippewa and in cooperation with the 1854 Tribal Authority, the Ashland NFWCO continued capture and equipment assistance for a lake sturgeon telemetry study in the St. Louis River, Minnesota/Wisconsin.  Historically, the St. Louis River supported a large reproducing population of lake sturgeon.  The population was eliminated by the early 1900’s and is currently in restoration.  The purpose of the study is to use telemetry to identify juvenile and sub-adult lake sturgeon habitat on a seasonal basis.  This information will then be used in support of restoration efforts.  The Ashland NFWCO provided a smallcraft trawler and operator/biologist to collect juvenile/sub-adult lake sturgeon for radio tagging in the lower St. Louis River.  In 2006, a total of nine sturgeon were targeted for radio tagging, with five specimens captured by the Ashland trawler, and four captured by anglers.  Tracking during the summer and fall of 2006 indicates that the sturgeon are moving very little, with half of the nine tagged sturgeon occupying water less than 10 feet in depth, and the remainder in water 15-18 feet deep.  The sturgeon in shallower water are displaying more movement than the sturgeon in deeper water.  Approximately, ten additional lake sturgeon will be radio tagged in 2007.

Another Edition of the MTAN Goes to Print
The Ashland NFWCO has the unique distinction of providing technical assistance for the development of numerous tribal fish hatchery operations.  One of the ways we contribute to these programs is by publishing a quarterly newsletter.  The Midwest Tribal Aquaculture Network (MTAN) is dedicated to assisting tribal hatchery programs through the sharing of cool/cold water fish culture information.
 
The most recent addition of the MTAN (Volume 59) has just been completed and is now available on the Internet.   This quarter’s newsletter discusses: VHS - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly;  National Fish Hatchery System Addresses VHS, APHIS Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) Emergency Order, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in the Great Lakes Region, Questions and Answers About Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, USDA Amends Order on Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Additional Links of Interest Regarding Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Chlorine and Iodophor Disinfectants, plus new updates for Hydrogen Peroxide, Oxytetracycline and Chloramine-T.
 
The MTAN has been assisting tribal fish hatchery programs for the past sixteen years.  The rewards from this kind of technical assistance is in knowing we are providing information that enables hatchery programs to better utilize their resources and provide a healthier product for the fishery.  The MTAN has also helped to educate fish hatchery workers and direct them to other areas so they can better research their specific needs.
 
Previous issues of the MTAN newsletters are now accessible from the Ashland NFWCO web page.  Readers can access this information by pointing their web browsers to:  http://midwest.fws.gov/ashland/.

Red Lake Walleye Restoration Effort
The Ashland NFWCO is continuing to work with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, BIA and the University of Minnesota, to restore a naturally spawning population of walleye in Red Lake.  During a December 13th meeting, Mark Brouder and Frank Stone meet with the Red Lake Task Force Committee to discuss the walleye restoration program and performance indicators of this long term restoration effort. 
 
Several topics were discussed at this meeting: 

Historically, the Red Lakes have provided food, recreation, cultural pursuits, and income to many people.  Government leadership, cooperation, and coordination have been paramount throughout the recovery process.  All parties have demonstrated a willingness to provide leadership by example to achieve the community support and involvement required to reach the goals of the Red Lake walleye recovery effort.

Ashland NFWCO Assist with National Scoring of the 2007 TWG and TLIP Grants
Frank Stone assisted Regional Tribal Liaison, John Leonard, with the scoring of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (Service) 2007 Tribal Wildlife (TWG) and Tribal Landowner Incentive Program (TLIP) Grants. This was a national scoring process (conducted in Denver, CO) of project proposals submitted by tribes throughout the United States.  A total of 28 proposals were reviewed (19 – TWG and 9 – TLIP) by Frank. 
 
Each Region first had a review team score all proposals submitted to that region. The Regions then forwarded their top ranked proposals to the National Panel. The proposals that were reviewed at the national level included regionally ranked proposals that scored at or above the top 60%.  Although the list of accepted grants has yet to be finalized, tribal resource programs throughout the United States will soon be receiving the financial help they need to initiate projects ranging from base line data collection and habitat restoration to the control of invasive plant species.
 
The TWG and TLIP programs will provide new funding opportunities to Tribes for activities that protect and restore habitats that will benefit fish and wildlife species of Tribal significance.  These grant programs also support the efforts of tribal governments to develop or augment the capacity to manage, conserve, or protect fish and wildlife species of concern through the provision of additional funding and technical support.

Pond Fertilization Workshop
Frank Stone attended a half day workshop in Wausau regarding the “What-When and How” of pond fertilization for northern climates. 
 
The Ashland NFWCO has the unique distinction of providing technical assistance for the development of numerous tribal fish hatchery operations.  One of the ways we contribute to these programs is by publishing a quarterly newsletter.  The Midwest Tribal Aquaculture Network (MTAN) is dedicated to assisting tribal hatchery programs through the sharing of cool/cold water fish culture information.  Productivity of fish ponds is increased by using fertilizers to boost the microscopic plants and zooplankton.  The techniques and information gained from this workshop will be featured in a future issue of the MTAN.
 
The MTAN has been assisting tribal fish hatchery programs for the past sixteen years.  The rewards from this kind of technical assistance is in knowing we are providing information that enables hatchery programs to better utilize their resources and provide a healthier product for the fishery.  The MTAN has also helped to educate fish hatchery workers and direct them to other areas so they can better research their specific needs. 

Ashland NFWCO Assists the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission with Spring Walleye Surveys
The Ashland NFWCO assisted the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission this spring with several walleye population surveys.  The objective of this project was to estimate spawning populations of adult walleye and to collect fish for mercury testing from several lakes in northern Wisconsin. 
 
Walleye 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 electrofishing surveys on three lakes, collecting over 4,000 fish during an eight night period.  The sampling effort is conducted at night because this is when spawning activity and opportunities to collect adult size fish are maximized.  Normally 1-3 nights of collection are needed on each lake to obtain sufficient data.

Another Edition of the MTAN Goes to Print
The Ashland NFWCO has the unique distinction of providing technical assistance for the development of numerous tribal fish hatchery operations.  One of the ways we contribute to these programs is by publishing a quarterly newsletter.  The Midwest Tribal Aquaculture Network (MTAN) is dedicated to assisting tribal hatchery programs through the sharing of cool/cold water fish culture information.
 
The most recent addition of the MTAN (Volume 60) has just been completed and is now available on the Internet.   This quarter’s newsletter discusses: Aquaculture Field Day and Vendor Fair, Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility - Walleye for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Fisheries Program, Partitioned Aquaculture Systems (PAS) and Calculating Pond Surface Area.
 
The MTAN has been assisting tribal fish hatchery programs for the past sixteen years.  The rewards from this kind of technical assistance is in knowing we are providing information that enables hatchery programs to better utilize their resources and provide a healthier product for the fishery.  The MTAN has also helped to educate fish hatchery workers and direct them to other areas so they can better research their specific needs.
 
Previous issues of the MTAN newsletters are now accessible from the Ashland NFWCO web page.  Readers can access this information by pointing their web browsers to:  http://midwest.fws.gov/ashland/.

Kids Fishing Day Activities A Big Success Thanks To the Folks at the Genoa NFH
Frank Stone had scheduled a day of boat electrofishing to help transfer largemouth bass for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).  In previous years, this fish transfer (to Lighthouse Pond) had been a big success during the KBIC annual Kids Fishing Day.  However, due to the concern of transferring fish pathogens, the fish relocation was cancelled.  The Ashland NFWCO then called on the kind folks from the Genoa NFH to save the day.  Two hundred catchable size rainbow trout (disease certified) were soon transported to Keweenaw Bay for three different fishing activities that took place over a three week period.