Christmas trees for fish?

People often ask the Michigan Department of Natural Resources whether their Christmas trees would make good habitat for fish. This is a great question, as many of Michigan’s lakes once had woody habitat, such as a fallen tree, every 5 to 50 feet! This woody habitat is important for fish, turtles, frogs, herons and other animals, because it provides refuge from predators and opportunities to bask in the sun, reduces wave energy that erodes shorelines and encourages growth of aquatic plants. Harder-wood trees with an open branch structure provide high-quality habitat.

However, Christmas trees are classified as softwoods, and are typically species such as balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. These softwoods break down relatively quickly in aquatic environments. The dense branches on Christmas trees that are perfect for holding ornaments are often too dense for many fish to use as habitat.

Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations and anchors used to sink trees may introduce unwanted materials into our waters. So, if you’re thinking about sinking that tree in your favorite lake for fish habitat, we urge you to consider an alternative.

Suggested Christmas tree uses

What is the best use for that Christmas tree? Here are some options:

• Create a brush pile on your property to provide habitat; wildlife may use it for nesting or as a food source. Just make sure that the tree is pesticide-free and that you’ve removed all of the ornaments and other decorations.
• Cut the tree into small pieces or mulch it to use in garden pots or landscaping, which will return nutrients to the soil. Depending on the type of gardening you’re doing and the type of tree you have, you may need to confirm that the tree is pesticide-free and that it won’t negatively affect soil composition for whatever you’re growing.
• Give the tree to a friend who has chickens or goats. Chickens can roost on trees and goats love to chew on them. Again, make sure the tree is pesticide-free before allowing animals to use it.
• Recycle your tree through your municipality. Many cities and towns collect trees or have designated drop-off locations; these trees are usually turned into mulch.

Improving lake habitat the right way

If you’d like to improve your local lake’s woody habitat for fish, birds, turtles and other wildlife, it is best to use the shoreline woody structure methods promoted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the DNR. These approaches, often called fish sticks or turtle logs, provide long-lasting benefits. Woody habitat should be placed in areas where it won’t impede navigation on the water and be secured to the shoreline or lake bottom to ensure that the habitat structure stays in place.

Regardless of the methods you use, you must secure a permit from EGLE when placing fish habitat structures or anything that may affect the bottomlands on public waters in Michigan. EGLE has developed the Minor Project Category: Fish and Wildlife Habitat Structures permit to encourage creation of shoreline woody structures through a relatively easy and low-cost permit category and expedited process. If you’re interested in adding shoreline woody structure to your local body of water, a quick meeting with your local EGLE district staff person is a great first step to ensure the project meets permitting criteria. Pre-application meetings can be requested through MiEnviro, EGLE’s permitting and compliance database, to discuss project design and regulatory standards.

If you own waterfront property, consider how woody habitat would naturally make its way into the water. Does your waterfront have trees planted near the shoreline? If they were to fall in, would you remove them or leave them in the water for fish and wildlife habitat? You might consider planting water-tolerant native tree species near the shoreline of your property and allowing fallen trees to remain in the water as gifts that keeps on giving back to the lake’s fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife.

“People often get caught up in the excitement of the moment and overlook winter safety,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, with the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section. “This is a beginning of the season reminder to please keep safety in mind this winter.”

Before heading out, make sure to:

• Dress for the weather. Wear light layers that can easily be added or removed – it is possible to overheat even during the winter.
• Check the weather forecast and road conditions.
• Carry appropriate equipment for your activity, such as a flashlight, rope, ice picks or ice claws.
• Have spare equipment available in case something breaks.
• Stay hydrated and fueled – bring water and snacks.
• Bring a buddy.
• Tell others where you will be, how long you plan to be gone and schedule check-in times.
• Carry a two-way communication device that receives service in remote areas.
• Take an honest assessment of your health – if you’re not feeling well, don’t go out.

Wanless said there are additional key things to remember.

Always use extreme caution around ice, as there is no perfectly reliable way to determine ice strength. Wear a personal floatation device and carry ice picks in an easy to reach location.

In Michigan, all snowmobile operators ages 12 to 16 must obtain a Michigan-approved snowmobile safety certificate to operate without a legal guardian or to cross a highway or street. Earn a snowmobile safety certificate or purchase a trail permit at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

The DNR’s Ride Right snowmobile safety campaign emphasizes the importance of riding at a safe speed, sober and on the right-hand side of the trail to help ensure that you “Ride home safe to your family and friends.”

Speed is the main factor in fatal and serious injury snowmobile accidents. There were 19 snowmobile fatalities across Michigan during the 2022-23 season, and four deaths during the 2023-24 season. Find more safety tips and snowmobile rules and regulations at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Learn more about recreation safety at Michigan.gov/DNR/Education/Safety-Info.

Be sure to check the DNR closures page for the latest on trails and other facility closures.

Chinook salmon eggs were collected Oct. 1–16 at the Little Manistee River Weir. Eggs and milt (sperm) are gathered from fish during the annual salmon run. At the weir, salmon swim up a fish ladder and into holding ponds. From there, fish are brought into the facility, where eggs and milt are collected and the eggs are fertilized.

“We experienced a solid run of wild Chinook salmon this year,” said Aaron Switzer, Fish Production Program manager. “The run at the Little Manistee was healthy enough to provide all of Michigan’s egg needs. We were also able to provide eggs to Indiana and Illinois state-owned fish hatcheries. Once hatched, reared and stocked all of these Chinook salmon contribute to the Lake Michigan salmon fishery.”

Coho salmon eggs were collected at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery Weir from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1.

“We collected nearly 6.5 million coho salmon eggs at the Platte River weir by the time the egg collection wrapped up. This includes approximately 3 million for Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. All four states work together cooperatively each year to ensure Lake Michigan continues to receive Pacific salmon to supplement the fishery,” said Switzer.

Not all egg collections are of wild fish, however. Captive broodstocks, fish kept at a hatchery to produce eggs and milt, will provide many of the eggs that will later become stocked fish: 378,000 brook trout eggs, 448,000 lake trout eggs, 2.6 million brown trout eggs and 1.5 million rainbow trout eggs. An additional 422,000 splake eggs (brook trout and lake trout hybrid) will also be collected from captive broodstock to support Michigan’s fisheries management objectives.

At Oden State Fish Hatchery, egg collections for brown trout occurred through mid-October. Rainbow trout egg collections at Oden will begin in December and continue until mid-January. These captive egg collections will occur every one to two weeks over the season. Captive broodstock egg collections for brook and lake trout at Marquette State Fish Hatchery have already been completed.

To learn more about Michigan’s state fish hatcheries or to plan a trip to see behind the scenes, visit Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.

By collaborating with local entrepreneurs, the DNR can offer a wider range of services that help elevate visitor experiences. Those can include retail and food services, equipment rentals, water park operations, guided tours and more.

Through a competitive bidding process, the DNR selects qualified businesses to provide these services. Successful bidders can secure contracts lasting up to seven years. These are partnerships that support local economies and create stable, long-term relationships.

“We take a lot of pride in offering opportunities to establish small businesses in state parks,” said the DNR’s Lori Green, who co-manages commercial land use in state parks, trails and waterways. “We encourage local businesses to consider expanding their operations through the bidding process.”

Currently, there are several business opportunities up for bid, including food trucks, beach concessions, farming activities, shuttle services, a riding stable and more. Visit Michigan.gov/StateParkConcessions to see a list of current opportunities and deadlines.

Questions? Contact Lori Green or Elissa Buck.

On Christmas Day 1900, Frank M. Chapman, an early officer of the National Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition: a “Christmas Bird Census” to count, rather than hunt, birds during the holidays. This marked the beginning of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count!

In its first year, 27 volunteers conducted 25 CBCs across locations from Toronto to California, tallying 90 bird species. This year marks the count’s 125th year, making it the longest-running bird census in the hemisphere. Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 every season across the Americas, tens of thousands of volunteers participate to gather critical data that helps scientists protect birds and the places they need.

That information allows researchers, conservationists and wildlife agencies to study long-term trends in bird populations across the Americas. When combined with other surveys, such as the Breeding Bird Survey, these data provide insights into how bird populations have changed in time and space over the past century. Audubon and other organizations use these findings to guide conservation efforts for birds where they are most needed.

In Michigan, dozens of local Audubon chapters organize CBCs. Many counts include guided bird walks, making them great opportunities for new birders to gain experience and connect with others who share their interest. The Christmas Bird Count is a prime example of how everyday observations from first-time volunteers and experts alike can make a big difference.

To get involved in this year’s Christmas Bird Count, visit the Audubon website. You also can learn more about Michigan birds and community science opportunities like the CBC at MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.

Snowmobiling

Buy your trail permit, check conditions. Michigan’s 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized) are open Dec. 1-March 31, and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Purchase your trail permit and find maps at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. Be sure to check trail reports and trail closures while planning your excursion, and follow Ride Right safety precautions, including staying on the right side of the trail.

ORV riding

Know where you can go. Off-road vehicle riding is allowed on all county roads that are open in the summer as well as all DNR-designated multiuse trails; note that ORV trails in the Upper Peninsula are marked by letters. Snowmobile-only trails, however, are closed to ORV use Dec. 1-March 31, and snowmobile trails are identified by numbers only on diamond-shaped signs.

In addition, highway rights-of-way are closed until May 1 and therefore are not open to ORVs. (These are areas where the trail runs on the side of state and U.S. highways allowing a trail to connect.) Always be aware of icy sections, especially on morning and evening rides, and ride in a manner that minimizes trail damage given that some trails’ terrain may be soft.

As 2024 winds down, the DNR is looking to trail users to reflect on this land use order change and to share their thoughts on both riding e-bikes and interacting with e-bike users on state-managed trails.

The short e-bike survey will help the DNR gather public input on the land use order, which went into effect in August on state-managed trails with the exception of those located on state wildlife or state forest lands.

The approved DNR land use order expanded operation of Class 1 e-bikes so that they are allowed on improved-surface trails such as linear trails (paved or gravel/asphalt) as well as natural-surface, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways in state parks and recreation areas and on state forest pathways and roads.

In addition, the change allowed – for mobility purposes – operation of Class 2 e-bikes, which are throttle- and pedal-assisted and can travel up to 20 miles per hour, on those trails/pathways open to Class 1 e-bike use, as long as a cyclist has applied for and received a no-cost permit to do so. Prior to the land use change, Class 1 e-bikes were only allowed on improved-surface trails and roads on state-managed land.

Read more about the land use order change in this Showcasing the DNR article. Visit Michigan.gov/DNR/Ebikes to learn more and to access the survey, which will remain open through early summer 2025.

Questions? Contact Tim Novak at 517-388-8347.

Snowy owl populations fluctuate greatly each year, based on the availability of their summer prey: lemmings. When lemmings are plentiful, snowy owls can have a successful nesting season in the Arctic and produce a lot of healthy chicks. This boom in population can cause an “irruption” in the winter, when snowy owls are seen far outside of their usual winter range and in greater numbers. In past irruption years, snowy owls have been spotted in Florida and Hawaii! This year, there has been an early push of snowy owls south into Michigan and across the Great Lakes region, which is promising.

Winter also provides a chance to marvel at Michigan’s year-round residents, like the great horned owl and eastern screech owl. Amid leafless trees and snow-covered surroundings, these nocturnal creatures are often easier to spot and hear. Their haunting calls echo through still, winter nights, offering a magical experience for those who venture out to find them.

Although spotting owls is a rare occurrence, it’s part of what makes winter birding so special. Check out MI Birds’ blog, Enchanting Owls: Your Guide to the Great Lakes’ Winter Birds, for tips on where and how to responsibly observe these captivating creatures. Then bundle up, head outdoors and enjoy the wonders of winter birding in Michigan!

This story is brought to you by MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. 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.

*This picture of a snowy owl in Huron County, Michigan, is courtesy of Lauren Bunker/Audubon Photography Awards.