The 2010 newsletter that details the fisheries management activities in Southeast Michigan, specifically in the Lake Erie Management Unit (LEMU), is now available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site. The newsletter can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

"This document is intended to inform anglers about fishery management activities and surveys during the 2009 field season," said DNR LEMU Supervisor Gary Towns. "Lake and stream fish surveys, fish disease monitoring, results from a sturgeon angler mail survey, and several other activities are included. This is our second annual newsletter and is designed to keep anglers updated on what we have been doing to manage fish populations in this area."

Largely authored by DNR Fisheries Technician Dennis Tar, and edited by DNR Fisheries Biologist Jim Francis, the newsletter is a collection of specific findings from fish surveys on local waters and of fish plantings and other activities conducted in 2009 in all or part of 10 southeastern counties of the state. The LEMU includes all or part of Sanilac, St. Clair, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Livingston, Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale or Jackson counties. The LEMU manages lakes and streams within the Black, Clinton, Huron, Rouge, Raisin, Pine and Belle River Watersheds.

The newsletter will also contain information on fishery activities on the Great Lakes waters in southeastern Michigan, including the Detroit and St. Clair rivers, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

The newsletter explains why certain samples are taken in fish surveys, and what the resulting information can tell the DNR fisheries managers. The history of fish management on some lakes and streams also is included. This collective information leads to specific actions like fish plantings, special regulations on some waters, and the protection or rehabilitation of certain habitats.

Again this year there is a section titled: "How'd They Do That?" Fish sampling using electricity - also called "electrofishing" is featured in this edition of the newsletter. Here, the authors explain methods used to capture fish in streams and lakes using electrical charges generated and regulated by various pieces of equipment. Readers are strongly warned "not to try this at home!"

New this year is a section titled: "Do you know the difference?" This is designed to help anglers identify certain fish species by looking at specific characteristics. Actual photographs of redear sunfish, pumpkinseed and bluegill are featured, with notations of what to look for when determining the specific species you have just landed. Anglers are also reminded that fish survey reports on most public waters in Southeast Michigan are available from the DNR's Fisheries staff at the Southfield Operations Service Center upon request at (248) 359-9040.

Anglers also should note that a map showing the walleye regulations for the 2010 fishing season on the Detroit and St. Clair rivers, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie -- for Michigan, Ontario and Ohio - will soon be posted on the DNR Web site under the Fishing section.