These lake trout/brook trout hybrids have been stocked in Lake Superior most years since 1971, with annual stocking since 1990.



Share or view as webpage [ [link removed] ]? |? Update preferences [ [link removed] ]


DNR banner with link to website [ [link removed] ]
"DNR News"



May 10, 2023
Contact: Cory Kovacs <[email protected]>,?906-287-0816?

*Lake Superior anglers asked to report marked splake *

Splake

Anglers fishing Lake Superior can help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources evaluate the splake fishery by reporting marked splake. Splake, which are a hybrid cross between lake trout and brook trout, have been stocked in Lake Superior most years since 1971, with annual stocking since 1990.

Since 2021, marked splake have been stocked in Lake Superior. At the Marquette State Fish Hatchery, staff from the DNR?s Lake Superior and Northern Lake Michigan management units, as well as field staff from across the state, put in long hours carefully marking the splake by hand. These fish then get stocked at three Lake Superior ports: Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Bay and Munising. Splake stocked at each port get a unique mark specific to each location for further analysis. The goal is to create nearshore fishing opportunities in the smaller bays of Lake Superior, where some fisheries are available year-round.



three men in dark green jackets and waders and DNR ballcaps sit on chairs by a holding tank, tagging fish over bins atop 5-gallon buckets

?The data we collect from anglers assists in making decisions on how to best manage Michigan?s fisheries," said Patrick Hanchin, Lake Superior Basin coordinator. ?Every marked splake reported matters to the data collection process. We?ll be marking splake through 2025, with the evaluation study being conducted through 2030.?

When anglers catch a splake, they should inspect it for missing fins or a jawbone clip, which indicate it has been marked. Marked fish then can be reported at?Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField [ [link removed] ] to give information such as species, length, weight, sex, and date and location caught, or by contacting a local DNR office [ [link removed] ].

Anglers also can report marked splake to DNR creel staff stationed at various ports along the Lake Superior shoreline. Because they're genetically tied to both lake trout and brook trout, splake can take the external appearance of the parent species, making them difficult to distinguish. Creel staff can help to correctly identify the fish, distinguish marks on fish and record angler trip data. Everyone is encouraged to provide their fishing trip information when approached by DNR creel staff.

Anglers are reminded that other natural resources agencies and tribal units mark a variety of fish species for different evaluation purposes. For more information on fish marking in Michigan, visit?Michigan.gov/TaggedFish [ [link removed] ].



________________________________________________________________________


Download the new Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app [ [link removed] ]
twitter icon circle [ [link removed] ]facebook icon circle [ [link removed] ]YouTube icon circle [ [link removed] ]instagram icon [ [link removed] ]pinterest icon circle [ [link removed] ]email icon circle [ [link removed] ]




If you wish to no longer receive emails from the DNR,
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed]? ]??|??Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]? |??Help [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us [ [link removed] ]??|??Provide Feedback <[email protected]>

Visit us on our website: Michigan.gov/DNR [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ? Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 ? 1-800-439-1420