Roger's Outdoor Notes

FISHING NEWS:  Alewife levels are at an all-time low in Lake Michigan and that was the report by the U.S. Geological Survey. Researchers found a record low biomass of alewife in Lake Michigan in 2016. It’ the lowest in the history of the lake. The surveys have been done in the same areas since 1973 and the record keeping has been spot on. The recent decline in alewife abundance the Lake Michigan Committee to seek a stocking reduction. With that being said, state agencies in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana all agreed to reduce stocking of chinook, since the species is the primary predator of alewife. But in Wisconsin,  the DNR decided to maintain its current level of chinook stocking and reduce lake trout by 58% and brown trout by 50%.  In the waters off of Port Washington , 10 tows produced ZERO alewife. The drags were performed in water as deep as 420 feet and as shallow as 60 feet. But when the research boat returned back to the Port Washington harbor, alewives were visible in the water near the dock. If you want to learn more about our Lake Michigan fisheries, join the NEWGLSF club who meets at the City Limits. Look up the club on the web, and join now.