Program Update - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program - U.S. ...

Sport Fish
Restoration
Michigan Sturgeon Research
Since 2001, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State
University have used Dingell Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act funds for
collaborative lake sturgeon research in Black Lake and the upper Black River.
Research has focused on current population status, recruitment dynamics and
bottlenecks to recruitment, and the evaluation of various supplementation strategies.
One of the unique aspects of the research program was the construction and use of
a streamside rearing facility. This allowed researchers to conduct research on lake
sturgeon in their natal waters.
Aquatic Resources
Education
Results of the research program at Black Lake have already been used to design
restoration efforts in other waters around the Great Lakes. In addition, the results
have documented that lake sturgeon natural recruitment in Black Lake continues
to be very low and as a result the Michigan DNR, Michigan State University, and
Tower Kleber Inc. (owner of the hydropower dams on the upper Black River) are
constructing a permanent streamside rearing facility that will be used to supplement
natural recruitment in the upper Black River to insure the continued health of this
lake sturgeon population.
Aquatic Resources Education at the Indiana State Fair
Aquatic resources education, including an introduction to the sport of fishing, is an
important component of the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife use of Dingell
Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act funds.
The DNR building on the Indiana State Fairgrounds has a rich education history.
Since the 1920’s, the DNR has used this building to educate and inform state residents
of the value and utility of natural resources. Most of the approximately 700,000 annual
fairgoers visit the DNR building.
In 2006, Indiana’s aquatic education effort was expanded by the addition of a fishing
pond at the DNR’s State Fairgrounds building for use during the fair and at other
selected times. The goals of the project are to teach children to fish at the fair and to
expose the adults that accompany them to the fun associated with teaching children to
fish.
The fishing pond was part of a larger DNR State Fair building renovation. A $600,000
Sport Fish Restoration grant provided funds for the fishing pond, interactive
educational components and modification of old aquariums into a living stream
educational display. Mentors, usually volunteers from local fishing clubs, have proven
to be an abundant resource for helping the kids to fish, making this program cost
efficient and effective.
The program has multiple benefits. Many children get to catch their first fish, and
hopefully get hooked on fishing in the process. The adults that accompany the children
learn how easy it is to expose children to a lifelong sport and a good way to spend
time outdoors. Countless fairgoers are treated to the opportunity to watch exited kids
catching their first fish, an experience intended to encourage them to give fishing a try.
28 Wildlife and Sport Fish Program Update September 2008