(Ongoing and recently completed studies)

Study 224. Cheboygan River Assessment

Study 515. Evaluation of the relative growth and survival of Assinica, Nipigon, and Iron River-strain brook trout stocked into small inland lakes

Study 519. Colonization of a brook trout stream by introduced brown trout

Study 556. Effects of restrictive minimum size limits and gear restrictions on brook trout populations in the Black River, Michigan

Study 558. Evaluation of in-stream habitat improvement in a southwest Michigan trout stream

Study 654. Evaluation of brown trout and steelhead competitive interactions in Hunt Creek, Michigan

Study 665. Investigation of causes of declines in Au Sable river brown trout populations

Study 702. Effects of sediment traps on Michigan river channels

Study 735. Evaluation of the field performance of wild and domestic brown trout in seven Michigan rivers

Study 736. Response of an aquatic invertebrate community to reduced summer streamflows in a northern Michigan stream

Study 737. Status and trends of fish populations and community structure in Michigan streams

Study 743. Evaluation of Eagle Lake and lake Michigan steelhead-strain rainbow trout stocked into inland lakes in Michigan

Study 224. Cheboygan River Assessment

• Objectives: The objectives of this study are to conduct a comprehensive, landscape-scale assessment of the fishery resources in the Cheboygan River watershed and to publish the results in a reference document. The assessment will include: 1) assembling available fisheries data; 2) describing past and present human use, habitat conditions, biological communities, management practices; 3) suggesting management options for future direction; and 4) providing for public involvement and comment on fisheries management proposals.
• Investigators: Neal A. Godby, Todd C. Wills, and Tim A. Cwalinski

A final report of findings from this study is presently being written. An electronic link to the report will be provided when it becomes available.

Study 515. Evaluation of the relative growth and survival of Assinica, Nipigon, and Iron River-strain brook trout stocked into small inland lakes

• Objective: To determine the relative growth and survival of Assinica, Nipigon, and Iron River brook trout stocked into small inland lakes.
• Investigators: Andrew J. Nuhfer and Todd C. Wills

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 515.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 515.

Study 519. Colonization of a brook trout stream by introduced brown trout

• Objective: To establish a stable, naturally reproducing population of brown trout in the headwaters of Hunt Creek to use as an experimental population for future management experiments and evaluations. A long term goal is to build a brown trout population that can be used to study interactions with potamodromous salmonid species found in the Great Lakes. To monitor population dynamics of all trout species as brown trout colonize reaches of Hunt Creek presently occupied primarily by brook trout.
• Investigators: Andrew J. Nuhfer and Todd C. Wills

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 519.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 519.

Study 556. Effects of restrictive minimum size limits and gear restrictions on brook trout populations in the Black River, Michigan

• Objective: To determine if restricting anglers to use of only artificial lures or flies on a reach of the Black River results in an increase in survival and abundance of larger and older brook trout as compared to a reach of the same river where bait angling is permitted.
• Investigators: Andrew J. Nuhfer and Todd C. Wills

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 556.

Study 558. Evaluation of in-stream habitat improvement in a southwest Michigan trout stream

• Objective: To determine if the addition of in-stream structure improved physical habitat in Silver Creek, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and increased the abundance (numbers and biomass), survival, growth, and angler catch rates of brown trout Salmo trutta and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis.
• Investigators: Todd C. Wills, James L. Dexter, and Andrew J. Nuhfer

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 558.

Study 654. Evaluation of brown trout and steelhead competitive interactions in Hunt Creek, Michigan

• Objective: To determine if the introduction of steelhead into a stream where they presently do not exist will affect the abundance, survival, growth, or disease status of resident trout species. To determine if population dynamics of resident trout species differs between streams supporting populations of steelhead and other potamodromous salmonids and streams inaccessible to Great Lakes salmonids.
• Investigators: Andrew J. Nuhfer and Todd C. Wills

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 654.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 654.

Study 665. Investigation of causes of declines in Au Sable river brown trout populations

• Objectives: To continue to conduct annual trout population surveys at index stations on the Au Sable River. These data will be analyzed in relation to environmental variables to explore possible mechanisms causing the declines in larger trout. They will also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of large woody debris enhancement in the North Branch Au Sable and Mainstem Au Sable rivers (management action that will be funded by the private sector).
• Investigators: Troy G. Zorn and Andrew J. Nuhfer

Two publications resulted from this study:

Zorn, T. G. and A. J. Nuhfer. 2007a. Influences on brown trout and brook trout population dynamics in a Michigan River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:691-705.

Zorn, T. G. and A. J. Nuhfer. 2007b. Regional synchrony of brown trout and brook trout population dynamics among Michigan Rivers. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:706-717.

Study 702. Effects of sediment traps on Michigan river channels

• Objective: The objective of this study is to quantify the effect of sediment removal efforts on the channel morphology of select Michigan streams. Specifically, we will identify the rate and spatial extent of change in riverbed elevation and substrate conditions. We will relate these data to hydrologic, gradient, and valley characteristics of each stream. We will assess suitability of different river types for sediment traps, and provide recommendations for spacing sand traps along rivers to better achieve desired results.
• Investigators: Todd C. Wills and Andrew J. Nuhfer

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 702.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 702.

Study 735. Evaluation of the field performance of wild and domestic brown trout in seven Michigan rivers

• Objectives: The objectives of this study are to 1) evaluate the performance of wild Gilchrist Creek strain brown trout in comparison to other domesticated hatchery strains (Wild Rose and Seeforellen) in Michigan rivers, 2) assess the contribution of hatchery-reared brown trout strains to brown trout populations and angler fisheries in Michigan rivers, and 3) provide information to guide management and policy decisions on the use of hatchery-reared brown trout in Michigan rivers.
• Investigators: Todd C. Wills and Andrew J. Nuhfer

One peer-reviewed publication resulted from this study:

Wills, T.C. 2006. Comparative abundance, survival, and growth of one wild and two domestic brown trout strains stocked in Michigan rivers. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 26: 535-544.

Study 736. Response of an aquatic invertebrate community to reduced summer streamflows in a northern Michigan stream

• Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the response of the aquatic invertebrate community in Hunt Creek, Michigan to simulated irrigation withdrawals. Specifically, we wish to determine the effects of dewatering on aquatic invertebrate density, taxon richness, and functional feeding group composition. In addition, we wish to compare predicted changes in weighted usable area (WUA) from an Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) model (Baker and Coon 1995) to observed changes in abundance of invertebrate families.
• Investigators: Todd C. Wills and Andrew J. Nuhfer

One peer-reviewed publication resulted from this study:

Wills, T.C., E.A. Baker, A.J. Nuhfer, and T.G. Zorn. 2006. Response of the benthic macroinvertebrate community in a northern Michigan stream to reduced summer streamflows. River Research and Applications 22(7): 819-836.

Study 737. Status and trends of fish populations and community structure in Michigan streams

• Objectives: The objectives of this study are to:
1. Characterize fish community structure and the abundance, presence, and distribution of fish populations in a variety of stream types across the state.
2. Quantify the baseline level of variation in fish population abundance and community structure in a variety of stream types for use in interpreting individual field samples.
3. Describe long-term trends in fish community structure and fish population abundance in valuable trout and smallmouth bass streams and representative small coldwater streams across the state.
4. Track changes in survival and growth of salmonids and smallmouth bass over time.
5. Examine the relation between temporal changes in fish population size and structure and instream habitat.
6. Identify appropriate spatial scales for describing regional trends (if any exist) in fish community structure and fish population abundance.
7. Compare temporal patterns in resident salmonid abundance, growth, and recruitment among and between land-locked and potamodromous coldwater streams.
8. Oversee continued implementation, coordination, and maintenance of the Streams Status and Trends Program (SSTP).
• Investigators: Todd C. Wills, Troy G. Zorn, and Andrew J. Nuhfer

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 737.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 737.

This is a new study, so no report of findings is presently available. An electronic link to annual progress reports will be provided when they become available.

To view a list of randomly selected stream sites scheduled to be sampled from 2003-2010 click the following link General Survey Stream Sites.

To view a list of sites where long-term data will be collected on fish community structure and population abundance in valuable trout and smallmouth bass streams click the link below. These sites are sampled on a three year on, three years off, schedule so that approximately half the sites are sampled in any specific year. Long Term Trend Sampling Sites.

Click here for a Map showing the locations of streams where long-term trend sampling sites are located.

Study 743. Evaluation of Eagle Lake and lake Michigan steelhead-strain rainbow trout stocked into inland lakes in Michigan.

• Objectives: To determine the relative survival, growth, and return to creel of steelhead and Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout stocked into large- and medium-sized inland lakes. This study will also determine if rainbow trout plantings into certain inland lakes are cost effective. A primary benefit of the study will be better information to guide decisions on which strain(s) of rainbow trout to stock into Michigan lakes of various types. Knowledge of rainbow trout strain performance in lakes is needed to maximize economic and social values provided by stocking.
• Investigators: Andrew J. Nuhfer and Todd C. Wills

For a full text version of the study proposal click the link for Study 743.

To view a copy of the most recent annual progress report follow the link to Progress Report Study 743.