Checking in on young walleye: DNR begins fall surveys in September

If you’re on the water in late September to early October, be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel conducting nighttime walleye recruitment surveys. Fisheries managers use these surveys to determine whether walleye that hatched in the spring (known as young-of-year) were born in the wild or were stocked, as well as how many are present in an area. This information about the status of young walleye in lakes helps the DNR make well-informed management decisions. Using electrofishing boats at night, crews will survey shallow areas near the shoreline of lakes with the goal of capturing juvenile walleye. Walleye prefer cooler, deeper areas of lakes during the day but move into shallow, nearshore areas at night, making nighttime surveys more efficient. On larger lakes, two or more electrofishing crews using separate boats may operate at the same time to cover more area. The crews will work on a subsample of Michigan lakes that have been stocked with walleye, as well as lakes that have not.

Biologists also collect and keep a sample of young-of-year walleye from stocked lakes to determine whether the fish are primarily reproducing naturally or if young-of-year are from stocking. All other walleye will be released unharmed. Walleye that are stocked in these lakes are marked with oxytetracycline, a chemical marker that can be observed within captured fish by using a microscope with an ultraviolet light source in a laboratory setting.

Some surveys will be conducted collaboratively with tribal agencies; tribal natural resource departments also will conduct surveys independently of the DNR. In the Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Forest Service will also be collaborating on surveys and conducting independent surveys in the Hiawatha National Forest as part of an effort to create long-term datasets for a number of inland lakes managed for walleye.

Everyone is urged to use caution when fishing or on the water near electrofishing boats, and anyone wading will be asked to exit the water when a survey boat approaches and during electrofishing work. Crews will be using bright lights to illuminate the water around the boat and running a generator on board, which may make it difficult to hear and speak with anyone on shore, such as anglers and lake residents.

Learn more about how the DNR manages Michigan’s fisheries.

• Don’t forget: Recently planted trees need water
• Birding, history, fall fun and more at Haven Hill Festival
• Celebrating 50 years of Michigan’s endangered species law
• Photo ambassador snapshot: Hanging out at Two Hearted

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder. Note: The pine marten photo used in this email is courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library.

Don’t forget: Recently planted trees need water

If you planted trees this spring or summer, it may be time to provide them with a drink of water. Even though we’re thinking about cooler weather ahead, your newer trees are still growing and may be thirsty during much of the state’s recent warm and dry conditions. Here are a few tips for watering: Check soil moisture first. If you can poke a long-handled screwdriver into the soil about 10 inches down and the end comes out dry, it’s time to water. Water slowly and deeply. You can fill a tree-watering bag, use a hose on a slow trickle, turn on a sprinkler or use one or two 5-gallon buckets of water to deliver water to the root area under the tree canopy. The goal is to provide the equivalent of about 1 inch of normal rainfall per week. Provide a layer of organic mulch about 3 to 4 inches deep over the root area to help maintain soil moisture. Keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree. An easy-to-remember guide for mulch: doughnuts are good, volcanoes are bad! “Volcanoes” – when mulch is mounded high and touches the tree bark – can do more harm than good. Check out the MSU Extension do’s and don’ts of irrigating landscape plants and watch for more tips later this fall on preparing your landscape trees for winter and a great start next spring. Questions? Contact DNR urban forester Lawrence Sobson at 313-316-4137.

Birding, history, fall fun and more at Haven Hill Festival

If your weekend plans put you in southeast Michigan, swing by the Haven Hill Festival Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highland Recreation Area in Oakland County. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate fall migration with MI Birds and the Oakland Bird Alliance at the park’s Goose Meadows Picnic Area – an important stopover site for migratory birds like the Swainson’s thrush and white-throated sparrow (shown above). The Oakland Bird Alliance and the Friends of Highland Recreation Area will give a one-hour presentation on MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. It will highlight birding at Highland Recreation Area and the importance of this area for migratory birds. Catch this 1 p.m. presentation at the shelter in the picnic area. Stop by the Oakland Bird Alliance exhibition table in the picnic area to learn how MI Birds is helping local birds, and how you can get involved. The Haven Hill Festival, hosted by the Friends of Highland Recreation Area, is a celebration of the Haven Hill Estate – once the country estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford – and the natural beauty and historic wonders of this recreation area in the townships of Highland and White Lake. This fun, free* and family-friendly event includes a variety of vintage-themed activities, music and opportunities to explore local birds. See event details. *Please note that a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into Highland Recreation Area. If you do not have one, you will be able to purchase one at the park with cash, check or credit card.

Fall migration birding statewide

Birders outside the metro Detroit area can make the most of fall bird movement across Michigan, too, with some quick MI Birds tips and resources to aid in planning your next trip! Learn which birds to expect in different regions, as waves of new fall migrants pass through the state each month on their journey south. This month, waterfowl and raptor migrations peak, so expect to see birds like broad-winged hawks and American wigeon in good numbers. Not sure where to go birding? Explore one of Michigan’s birding trails and remember to follow these safety tips to confidently view birds and other wildlife at or near hunting areas. MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities. Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.

Celebrating 50 years of Michigan’s endangered species law

Bald eagle. American (or pine) marten. Kirtland’s warbler. What do these three Michigan species have in common? How about a remarkable comeback after being on the brink of disappearing from our state? Together this trio represents the success of a law that has supported the protection and restoration of our most vulnerable species. This year marks a major milestone in Michigan’s conservation history: the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Endangered Species Act being signed into law. Enacted in September 1974, this pivotal legislation included protections for endangered species and established the creation of Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list, a tool for identifying and protecting our state’s rare plants and animals. Michigan’s Endangered Species Act was later recodified as Part 365, Endangered Species Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA, Act 451 of 1994), as it is more familiarly known today. “This law serves as a conservation spotlight, focusing our attention and efforts on species at risk of disappearing from Michigan,” said Jennifer Kleitch, endangered species specialist with the DNR Wildlife Division. Dedicated research and management paired with incredible partnerships have paved the way for rare species to recover. “Thanks to the unwavering dedication of conservation organizations, researchers, local communities and countless individuals, Michigan has committed to banding together to keep native wildlife and plants around for future generations,” said Kleitch. The statute remains as vital today as it was 50 years ago, supporting conservation for more than 400 species, including nine mammals, 12 amphibians and reptiles, 22 fish, 25 birds, 30 insects, 35 mollusks and 274 plants.

If you would like to support rare species conservation, consider donating to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund or purchasing a Kirtland’s warbler license plate. All proceeds from this fund support efforts related to the research and management of nongame wildlife, fish and plant species. During this anniversary, we’re also celebrating our supporters. Anyone who donates to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund and provides their name will have it read aloud on one of the monthly DNR Wildtalk podcast episodes. Join the growing list of donors who have already contributed over $500 since Sept. 1! Here’s to another 50 years of successful conservation and continued protection of Michigan’s natural heritage. Questions? Contact Jennifer Kleitch at 989-370-2158.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Hanging out at Two Hearted

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Samantha Bohon, for the Michigan DNR, at Two Hearted River State Forest Campground in Luce County.)

Hot, dry weather elevates wildfire risk in much of Michigan

The recent stretch of unseasonably warm, dry weather is perfect for late-summer outdoor activities, but it also boosts wildfire risk. That means taking care to prevent wildfires when you work and play outside this week. “Most importantly, if you are planning to burn yard debris, make sure weather conditions allow for burning,” said Jeff Vasher, fire specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Debris burns that escape are the top cause of wildfires in Michigan.” If you intend to burn yard debris, go to Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to see if weather conditions allow for burning in your area. Fire danger goes up when it is hot and dry and increases even more when weather turns windy. Windborne embers can travel far and fast, turning a small fire into a large one. If you are building a campfire or bonfire, keep it within a contained pit or ring and make sure you thoroughly put out the fire before you leave it for the night. That means dousing the fire with water, stirring the ashes and dousing again.

Keep fire safety in mind

Here are some other safety tips:

• Never leave any fire unattended.
• Keep a hose or other water source nearby.
• Prevent sparks. Keep trailer chains from dragging and don’t park hot equipment on dry grass.
• Don’t shoot fireworks into the woods or into dry grass or shrubs.
• Don’t burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam or other household trash. This can release dangerous chemicals into the air.
• Use a burn barrel with a screen on top to burn paper, leaves and natural materials.
• Get more fire safety tips at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.

DNR wildland firefighters have fought more than 180 fires covering more than 800 acres so far in 2024.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

Put out your campfire! Whenever you have finished with your campfire, make sure to drench it with water, stir the ashes and drench again.

Find your path during Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 21-28

Every day is a great day to take to the trails, and now the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is promoting one more terrific reason to get outside and enjoy your favorite path: Michigan Trails Week, which kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21.

“We’re known as the Trails State for a reason: we have more than 13,400 miles of designated state-managed trails – plus thousands of miles of local, county and federally managed trails and pathways – that Michigan residents and visitors can enjoy year-round,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division.

There is something special about time on the trails come fall, Novak said.

“This makes Michigan Trails Week the perfect time to explore,” he said. “Whether you’re into hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-roading or paddling, the Great Lakes State landscape offers excursions for everyone. You can even get a jump on scouting out some snowmobiling trails.”

Meander and make memories

Michigan Trails Week – always coinciding with National Public Lands Day on the fourth Saturday of September – is an annual effort to shine a light on Michigan’s vast trails network and elevate the resources and opportunities that continue to build our reputation as the Trails State. The DNR invites Michiganders to pay tribute to and enjoy our state’s extraordinary trails system during these eight days – and be inspired to incorporate trail treks into all four seasons!

It can be as simple as finding a new trail adventure, revisiting a favorite route, sharing a photo or memory with a friend or making it social. Follow MiStateParks on both Facebook and Instagram for ideas on making the most of Michigan Trails Week. (Scroll through our posts to find a few trail “staff picks” we suggest checking out!)

And don’t forget trail etiquette when you head out – knowing when to yield and how to interact with other trail users helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. When riding off-road, go at a safe speed and always operate within the limits of your ORV and your own abilities. Find rules, regulations and safety certification information at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Show your trail love

Interested in sporting a bit of trails and recreation swag to support the Trails State? Check out some of the timeless gear (like this “Great Trails State” sticker) that celebrates Michigan’s awesome outdoor recreation opportunities. These items are offered by our merchandise apparel partner, Great Lakes Proud, and a portion of all proceeds from this collection helps preserve state parks, trails and waterways.

You can also help keep Michigan’s trails in the best shape for everyone to enjoy safely. More than 150 DNR-associated volunteer groups hold trail workdays throughout the year. Volunteers help with brush removal, sign installation and maintenance, general trail cleanups, snow grooming, dirt grading and even grant writing.

Want to lend a hand? For off-road vehicle or snowmobile trail volunteering, contact Jessica Holley-Roehrs at [email protected]. For nonmotorized trails volunteering, contact Tim Novak at [email protected]. Please put “VOLUNTEER” in the subject line.

Trails Week is also a good time to direct support to your favorite trail or toward project goals within a specific category such as water trails, snowmobile trails or ORV trails – it all helps to elevate the hard work of our volunteers and trail partners.

2024 trail news

• Did you know that the DNR’s wide variety of accessible recreation opportunities continues to grow at state parks, campgrounds, boating access sites, state game areas and trails? From accessible walkways to the waterfront, user-friendly kayak launches, colorblind scenic viewers at overlooks and motorized track chairs for trail exploration to accessible accommodations including mini cabins, camper cabins, lodges and yurts, an increasing number of Michigan state parks offer inclusive ways for visitors to enjoy the outdoors. Read more about the DNR’s commitment to make the state’s natural resources available for people of all abilities.
• Allowable use of Class 1 electric bicycles on state-managed, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways expanded this summer following approval of a proposed DNR land use order. “This decision opened our trails to be even more inclusive, providing opportunities to those unable to bike without assistance who want to continue riding and enjoying the outdoors,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “We anticipate all bikers and trail users will continue to practice appropriate trail etiquette so all users can be safe and enjoy the expansive natural-surface trail system.” Read more about this change.
• Three communities and one trail were recognized as Pure Michigan Trails and Pure Michigan Trail Towns. Highbanks Trail (Iosco County), Lansing (Ingham County), the village of Milford (Oakland County) and the Oscoda area (Iosco County) received this designation for offering quality trail experiences that rank among the best in the state. (Applications for the 2025 program open next month).
• Did you that the Michigan Heritage Trails Program connects people with the natural and cultural heritage of the landscape they are passing through? From the Iron Ore Heritage Trail in the Upper Peninsula to the Huron River National Water Trail in southeast Michigan, the Michigan History Center helps organizations create a deeper experience of place for trail users through its Heritage Trail Program.

No matter how you plan to enjoy Michigan Trails Week – walk, run, paddle or ride – get started at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Wooded trail: A trail cuts through Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in the Upper Peninsula’s Keweenaw County. Photo credit: Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resouces.
• Horseback riding: Riders enjoy the equine trail at Pinckney Recreation Area in Washtenaw County.
• Kids cycling: A group of young cyclists make their way down the trail at Algonac State Park in St. Clair County. Photo credit: Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resouces.
• Off-road trail riding: Michigan has over 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails, scramble areas, (eligible) county, state forest and national forest roads, and frozen surfaces of public waters, making it a top destination for ORV riders of all levels.