LIFE

Crosstrails: Science key in fishery management

Jim Baumgart

For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

A fisherman's fear: It’s never a bad idea to get a second opinion when in doubt about a serious medical condition or diagnosis. We all want to be sure we or a family member gets the best advice possible.

But we also don’t want to bury our head in the sand and deny what we should know is true or what is likely the best direction to take. We seek the best information possible, and when it comes to good science, we should not bully the messenger.

John Ruppuhn of Sheboygan caught this pink salmon in late August, one of a number of natural reproducing fish species in the Great Lakes. Reproducing chinook salmon now represent a higher percent being caught in Lake Michigan than WDNR planted. Lake trout are also showing increased natural reproduction success in Lake Michigan.

A case in point, in a recent meeting at a fishery advisory committee held at the Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, a large organized group of charter boat people, fishermen and others came to the meeting and brought along some local state politicians. It seemed like a show of force and power — not the best way to manage a major fishery that brings millions of dollars into the state each year.

The group was concerned the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, along with other Lake Michigan border states, will recommend a decrease in the number of salmon to be planted because of data showing a decrease in the fish forage base and major natural increases in the wild salmon population. It was a discussion worth having, but not under the kind of conditions experienced at this meeting.

The science and research is clear — more than 50 percent (50 to 60 percent) of the chinook salmon now being caught in Lake Michigan are wild fish hatched in the clear, running streams in the state of Michigan. This growing population of wild fish needs to be considered in the managing of the fishery. That the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant program, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and neighboring states fishery teams have shown and discussed in detail the decrease in the lake’s forage fish and increase in wild fish is important. If the states bordering Lake Michigan guess wrong or are politically pushed in the wrong management direction and the lake’s base forage fish is hurt, it could take years for the fishery to recover.

Wisconsin and neighboring states fin clip all the fish they plant in Lake Michigan. They also spend many thousands of dollars each year checking and recording the fish being caught by boaters, pier and stream fisher-people. To suggest the WDNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant program or other states might not be telling the truth on the data they collect and report is insulting and certainly does not fit into any well-balanced discussion of our fishery resources.

Groups like the charter-boat industry, bait shops, marinas and many others all profit by enjoying a strong fishery. It is certainly helpful for them to provide input and advice toward the management and direction of the fishery. But they should not screw it up by bullying the people who bring science, facts, hard work and 50 years of successful fish management skills to the Lake Michigan trout and salmon fishery. They are professional biologists who work for us.

• Sheboygan County Conservation Association will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Farmers' and Sportsmen’s Conservation Club, 2412 N. 44th St.

The club road is just west of I-43 along County Highway O in the Town of Sheboygan.

DNR staff will be present. The meeting is free and open to the public.

• Sheboygan Falls Conservation Club will hold its annual banquet at The Bull near Sheboygan Falls Thursday evening, Sept. 22.

Tickets are $35, doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m.

Many door prizes will be drawn, along with special raffles.

To find out if tickets are still available, call Gene Gasper at 920-946-6266. Those attending are reminded to bring a food donation for a local food pantry.

• September weekend programs continue to be provided at Terry Andrae/Kohler State Park. The following two programs may be of interest:

- Geocaching 101 is a program to help you learn how to use a GPS unit. Shari Miley and Barb McKichen will help you learn and enjoy the wonderful world of geocaching. It will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. You can bring your own unit or borrow one from them. Those interested should meet at the park’s amphitheater for an introduction, and then it's off to search for GPS caches. This is a program best for those 10 years and older.

- University in the Park is back. At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, the Astronomy Department of UW-Madison will begin a session with a 20- to 30-minute talk and slide presentation covering new discoveries as well as information about that evening’s night-time sky. At the end of the presentation, and if the skies are clear, those attending will go outside to view the stars with a telescope provided by the university. Meet at the park’s Sanderling Nature Center.

• Greenbush Sunset Hike is a free Maywood event that will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21. Those attending will meet at the Greenbush Group Camp Area parking lot. This is a guided hike. A state park sticker is required. Call Maywood at 920-459-3906 with any questions or for directions.

• A free Fall Bird Walk will be held at Maywood at 7:15 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. Those attending will join Sheboygan County Audubon Society members to search for and view migrating and resident species of birds. Meet on the south deck of the Maywood Ecology Center, 3615 Mueller Road, Sheboygan.

• A Hawk and Migration Walk will take place at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. This is an easy, but important, bird-watching event. Join hawk expert Seth Cutright in identifying, counting and documenting hawks and migrating birds from the bird-viewing location of Maywood’s Ecology Center’s South Deck. Admission is free. Bring bird book, binoculars, portable chair and a willingness to learn.

• Maywood will host a “Lunch and Learn” program at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 27. The program is free, but donations are accepted. Those attending will meet Carrie Castleton Lowe as she discusses pollinators and the roles bees and other pollinators play in our environment. Bring your lunch and Maywood will provide coffee, tea, water and dessert. Call and preregister by calling Maywood at 920-459-3906.

• The annual Sheboygan Kennel Club Dog Show will be at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds, 229 Fairview Drive, Plymouth, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25. Everyone is invited, and food will be available.

Conformation Rally and Obedience judging will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. All Seven AKC groups will be represented. Gate entry on Saturday and Sunday will be $5 per carload.

Send outdoor news/wildlife sightings to Jim Baumgart, Crosstrails, 722 N. 26th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081, or jimcob@bytehead.com.