trout plant

[The Bait Shop Guy]

The DNR recently planted 37,000 just south of the Bark River. Got this note and a few pictures from Dave Westerberg -

The Brown Trout plant at Kobasic's went great today (4/4/2011), no cormorants or other birds and as you can see in the photos - lots of ice!

Sure hope they take off. I would love to see that spring trout fishery come back again!

[quicksilver]

Thanks Dave,
For all you hard work down there trying to get the fish inb without the predation by the birds. Looks like you guys are on to something there.
Kudos to you and all involved!!
Randy

[crazyeyes]

Second that, nice work and thanks.

[DooFighter]

Thanks Dave,
For all you hard work down there trying to get the fish inb without the predation by the birds. Looks like you guys are on to something there.
Kudos to you and all involved!!
Randy

Yeah, what he said!

[Smoke On The Water]

Hey guys. The brown trout plant under the ice was tried with little success here in Menominee. If your situation is anything like ours you will see little or no return on these fish. The thought was that the birds were taking the stockings here as well. We had 2-3 years of stocking under the ice and we have seen less then 1% return. Browns are generally homebodies and do not move much and the theroy is that the plants were eaten by walleyes that are staging to spawn and they will continue to be slaughterd by the walleyes during and after the spawn. Walleye fisherman report that some walleye have had as many of 6 of these fingerlings in their stomachs. The Menominee river area is estimated to have 50,000 spawaning walleyes and 30,000 4" trout fresh out of the hatchery make for a good meal. We have since tried to get the WDNR to plant larger fish, later in the year and now they are planting them in deep water with boats to help with the bird problem. We are still waiting for the results but we have had a couple of test plants with larger fish at the marina which we have seen a 10% return rate already.

[schmev]

If it is walleye's you worried about then we don't have to worry. There aren't any left here!

[schmutzomatic 5000]

I know all the frustration with netting and overharvest but kid yourself not,,S.O.T.W. is correct.. These fish are having a great return.. Yea, under the ice away from the birds is a good thing and all the efforts local's do is wonderful, Smoke O.T.Water is just stating fact's, walleye do also damage on fry... If you think their are no walleye around take a short ride down to the Menominee right now. It is packed with spawning fish and people.. They are not down there after suckers.. Many , many , many eye's are being caught and snagged right as we speak. Look in the paper and see how many fines are issued for snagging eye's right now.. Go shine the shallows in all the rivers between Peshtigo - Rapid River.. We still have walleye around and all he is trying to say is Bigger, smarter, faster, trout planted in deep water away from flying rat's and preditor fish have more of a sporting chance.. Lots of reasons why they cant keep fish longer to get bigger. (tank room, holds up raising other fish, ect...) But, it is just one theory that seems to be holding true... my 2cents...