Following Indiana by one day, Illinois' Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning moved to close commercial fishing for perch on Lake Michigan, and implemented a reduced sport catch and size limit for the prized pan fish, which has suffered dramatic declines since 1988.

Wisconsin to Hold Alewife Conference

MADISON, WI - A workshop dealing with alewives in Lake Michigan will be held Jan. 29, 1997, in Madison, WI

The management of alewives in Lake Michigan has been the subject of study and debate for over 30 years.

Lake Michigan has continued to change, and today some reports suggest that the alewife population may be increasing to levels exceeding those thought possible in 1993. The January workshop will provide an opportunity to review the situation, address topics raised, the dynamics of the alewife population and the effect of commercial fishing on the salmon sport fishery.

Coho Fry
Hit Hard EMS
Lake Michigan Hatcheries show increased mortality at early stages

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Several hatcheries around the lake are reporting increased problems with early mortality syndrome (EMS) in coho salmon in Lake Michigan.

Mike Conlin, fisheries chief for the Illinois DNR said, "Illinois' coho eggs are supplied by the Michigan DNR from the Platte River Hatchery.

On Dec. 6, the fry appeared normal in the morning but by afternoon many were laying on their sides and mortalities were rising alarmingly. They were then treated with thiamin on the 6th and 7th, and within two hours most of the fish were again swimming normally and had ceased to die.

OMNR Holds Lake Ontario Fisheries Congress

Phil Smith, OMNR's Lake Ontario Fisheries Manager, had invited some 30 individuals from a wide range of "stakeholders" interested in the management of Lake Ontario. Management people were present from both the Ontario and New York fisheries departments.

All participants were "self introduced" and given free reign to speak on any or all of the issues.

Michigan Wants 5-3-2 Standard

Michigan has again raised the issue of standardization of trout and salmon regulations for Lake Michigan . Michigan has upwards of 30% naturally reproduced stocks of steelhead and salmon.

Wisconsin will not make any change from their present 5-2 limits

Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now allows you to purchase hunting and fishing licenses via the Internet!

Lake Michigan angler effort from nine ports during 1996 increased by 40% over 1995. The estimated harvests of chinook salmon were up 125%, coho salmon were up +62%, steelhead (+162%), and brown trout (+76%) were all much greater during 1996 as compared to 1995.

WI DNR in Turmoil
The Wisconsin's fish chief Lee Kernen has submitted retirement papers, as has law enforcement chief Ralph Christensen and a host of others, over the ongoing controversial realignment of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources.
Lee is due to retire in March of 97.

- Mike Shane, is the new state record holder for rainbow trout . The steelhead was caught while fishing in Lake Erie from the east breakwater off Conneaut Harbor in Ashtabula County. The 36 1/2 inch trout weighed 20.97 pounds.

Ohio Trawls Reveal Great Perch Hatches

Ohio research scientists are keeping their fingers crossed, but they are having a hard time disguising their joy over the 1996 spring hatch of yellow perch in Lake Erie..

"The perch hatch is probably the best we've seen in a decade, while the walleye hatch is likely the second highest in the past five years. Hopefully these fish will survive to become part of the fishable population two to three years down the road."

NEW PA RECORD