Fish & Game
Many current LCIA members or their relatives became attracted to the Les Cheneaux area while on a hunting or fishing vacation.
The LCIA Fish & Game Committee was established to keep the membership informed of the environmental impact to the health and the well-being of our native fish and animals.
LCIA retains a relationship with the state and federal agencies that manage the natural resources in the area and regularly monitors and reports on key research activities relevant to the Les Cheneaux area. This includes the annual DNR fisheries assessment, started more than 50 years ago.
May 2024 Update
Winter fishing was somewhat limited due to a lack of safe ice. Hessel Bay, Government Bay, and Sheppard Bay did see some angling activity for those who were very dedicated or very crazy. In most places, ice cover was less than 12 inches. In many locations ice thickness was irregular and not trustworthy. Despite the poor ice, good perch were caught sporadically and some very nice splake were taken in Wilderness Bay on the last remaining ice, not far from open water.
April 11 marked (which has become) the annual planting of splake in Hessel. 32,000 fingerling splake (a hybrid cross of brook/speckled trout and lake trout) were planted at the Hessel Marina launch ramp.
Michigan DNR Fisheries also stocked 9,500 steel head trout on April 20 near the mouth of the Carp River.
The 2024 Lake Huron Fisheries Workshop was held at the Clark Twp. Community Center on April 30. Dave Fielder, DNR Fisheries Research Biologist, reported on the 2023 Fall Assessment which has been conducted in the Les Cheneaux Islands since 1969. Fielder stated that the perch population is stable, but not like “the old days;” we have a large number of young pike which bodes well for future sport fishing; bass numbers are very good and have been on the rise for several years.
Tony Aderman, USDA Wildlife Services, heads the Double Crested Cormorant Control efforts in the Les Cheneaux Islands. He reported 2023 was the 20th year of management activities in the islands. There are approximately 1,000 nests from St. Martin’s Island and St. Martin’s shoal (west end of management) to Crow Island (east end). The nest total represents a roughly 90% decrease compared to the nest count in 2004. Nest oiling (vegetable oil) and population reduction by shooting, are the most common practices in control efforts of the fish-eating birds.
Looking forward to the northern pike & walleye season opener on May 15 and the bass season opener on May 25. Sharpen your hooks and let’s go fishing.
The local deer herd benefitted from a mild winter and light snow fall. Without much ground frost, the whitetails were chomping away at grass and any plant with tasty buds.
Beavers have been active causing some problems in boat houses and along shorelines in several locations. If beaver damage gets serious, it is best to call the DNR for some possible control measures.
A black bear has recently visited a couple local residences, seeming to enjoy lounging on porches and decks. These photos were taken by a resident on Mackinac Bay. The owners of Spring Lodge & Cottages also spotted, most likely, the same bruin on their property.
