ENERGY AND WATER” BILL TO BRING SIGNIFICANT HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GREAT LAKES

Congress provides, and the president accepts, additional funds for the “Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program”

ANN ARBOR, MI—The Great Lakes Fishery Commission today commended Congress and the president on the passage and signing into law of the fiscal 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, legislation that funds essential water projects throughout the United States. The bill, signed October 28th, 2009, includes $2.4 million for the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program (GLFER), a program authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with state and local agencies or private groups to implement projects that protect and restore habitat, fisheries, and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Great Lakes comprise…

According to the MDNR

Manistee – Steelhead along with a few leftover salmon are being caught in 150 to 300 feet of water. Red and orange were still good colors. Pier and shore anglers are catching steelhead on fresh salmon spawn.

Manistee River – There are still a few salmon on the gravel, although the run has begun to wind down. Steelhead were caught in the lower river.

Boardman River – The peak of the salmon run is over however fish are still in the river including a few fresh ones. Try spawn under a bobber in the deeper holes.

Leland – Those still heading out and fishing the north end of North Manitou Island have caught a few fish when trolling in 60 to 80 feet of water with green flies.

According to the MDNR

St. Joe River – Fish will still be found in the deeper holes until we get some rain and the temperatures drop.

Grand Haven – Boat anglers were taking steelhead and small salmon in 80 to 120 feet of water. The fish were in the top 50 feet and hitting on orange and gold spoons. Pier anglers are catching light numbers of steelhead when using spawn. Menominee were still being caught off the south pier.

Muskegon – Boat anglers are catching trout and salmon about halfway down in waters up to 120 feet deep. Pier fishing was slow however the occasional steelhead was caught.

Marquette – Catch rates for salmon were spotty however lake trout action was good for those trolling in 40 to 50 feet of water outside the breakwalls. Lake trout and splake were caught off the Lower Harbor breakwall.
St. Mary’s River – A few walleye were caught north of Sault Ste. Marie off Birch Point and Roach Point. Anglers were trolling chartreuse crawler harnesses with blades in 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were hitting on Twister Tails.

Drummond Island – Perch fishing was still slow. The waters had cleared up some and a few fish were taken in 12 feet of water between Rutland Island and James Island. Early morning was best.

Cedarville and Hessel – A few perch have been caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance when using a red teardrop with a minnow in 6 to 12 feet of water. A few fish were also caught off Little Joe Island. Near Cedarville, Bush Creek still has a few salmon coming in. Anglers are casting an artificial orange egg on a single hook with a couple of split shots.