![Public Use](images/a-publicuse2.gif)
2005
Events Calendar
The
Service has a long tradition of providing opportunities for public enjoyment
of aquatic resources through recreational fishing, habitat restoration,
and education programs and through mitigating impacts of Federal water
projects. As the population in the United States continues to grow,
the potential for adverse impacts on aquatic resources, including habitat
will increase. At the same time, demands for responsible, quality recreational
fishing experiences will also increase.
Our goal is to provide quality
opportunities for responsible fishing and other related recreational
enjoyment of aquatic resources on Service lands, on Tribal and military
lands, and on other waters where the Service has a role. This is accomplished
by working with the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Fish Hatcheries,
and the Department of Defense to enhance fishing opportunities for the
public on federal lands, and by providing hatchery fish and technical
asssitance in support of recreational fishing and outreach activities.
In the Great Lakes and Big
Rivers Region we celebrate the abundance of aquatic resources. Some
examples of contributions to recreational use are listed below:
-
Native
sportfish restoration in Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior -
Lake trout and brook trout are raised for restoration in the upper
Great Lakes. Most naturally reproducing stocks of lake
trout diminished to nothing in the mid-1990s in Lakes Huron
and Michigan because of overfishing and predation by the sea lamprey,
a blood and body fluid feeding aquatic nuisance fish. Today, almost
any lake trout you catch is a direct product from our National Fish
Hatchery System. We are even conducting a study to determine what
size of fish provides for the best quality and survival after stocking.
Lake run or "coaster"
brook trout that reached large sizes and were prized by sport
fishermen were once a staple of Lake Superior and other areas of
the Great Lakes. We are currently raising brook trout from wild
Lake Superior origin in National Fish Hatcheries for stocking to
restore this native species.
-
Sea Lamprey
management benefits the economy and ecology of the Great Lakes.
The sea lamprey can kill up to
20 lbs. of fish over 6-12 months of its 5-20 year life cycle. It
shares habitat with salmon and trout in the cold, deep waters of
the Great Lakes and has the largest impact on these valuable sport
species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been controlling
the sea lamprey since the 1960s and has reduced their populations
by 90% of pre-control levels. Our efforts have directly benefitted
sport fishing and the economy of the Great Lakes, which is driven
in large part by sport fishing and recreation. Sea lamprey are here
to stay and spawn in 433 rivers and streams along the Great Lakes
- each female laying up to 60,000 eggs each. We will continue to
control sea lamprey to preserve the fishery into the future.
-
Educational
programs benefit schools, environmental conservation groups, and
the general public. Education and understanding are
oftentimes the key to further enjoyment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service fosters the simple wonder of fish and other aquatic species
by educating the youth and people of all ages about these animals
that live in another world. Oftentimes people don't see a variety
of fish, mussels, or other organisms unless they are fishermen or
naturalists. Education about the unique qualities of different species
and their role in the aquatic ecosystem is valuable to provide an
appreciation for this part of our environment. We staff outdoor
festivals and events and provide brochures, posters, and other hands
on materials- as well as actual live or preserved fish specimens.
VIEW the Region 3 poster presentation
on Fisheries
Outreach for Local Youth Groups (pdf, 196 Kb).
Get the Free
Adobe Reader required to view pdf files.
-
Events
provide fishing opportunities and encourage fishing.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts events to provide fishing
opportunities and to teach kids to fish on National Fishing Day
and National Hunting and Fishing Day. For more information check
out our calendar of events or contact your
local fishery office or
refuge.
-
Aquatic nuisance
species managment protects native fish communities and their habitats.
Aquatic nuisance species are non-native
species that usually are accidentally released into an area and
become established. They usually are a nuisance because they displace
a native species through competition for food or habitat. Or sometimes
they are a nuisance in and of themselves. We have been working to
prevent the spread of asian carp,
escaped from the aquaculture industry into the Mississippi River
drainage, from entering the Great Lakes where it could harm the
balance of the fish community. The carp are large fish (50-100 lbs.)
that feed on plankton- a food staple for juvenile fish. They also
jump out of the water - even in excess of 6 feet- and can be a hazard
to boaters. Other aquatic nuisance species we are monitor and controlling
include the sea lamprey (mentioned above), round goby, Eurasian
ruffe, and zebra mussels.
-
Aquatic habitat
restoration provided by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
The Partners for
Fish and Wildlife Program benefits aquatic species and the private
land owner desiring to encourage aquatic areas on their property.
The program allows private land owners to and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to foster aquatic areas and restore wetland areas
for fish and wildlife use.
-
Fish
passage restoration allowd access to spawning and nursery areas.
Many river-running fish that benefit from the Fish
Passage Program are also sport fish including brook trout, walleye,
and chinook salmon.
- Fishery management
assistance provided to Native
Americans, National Wildlife Refuges, and other federal lands.
Efforts to improve fishery habitat and encourage healthy
fish communities on federal lands benefit the fishery and fishing
overall.
Wild
fish health surveys identify pathogens that may threaten our wild
fish. We examine wild fish for disease agents and overall
health in an effort to identify
problems before they become an outbreak that has longer lasting and
more widespread effects.
- Partnership,
volunteering, and job opportunities
provided to meet interest in natural resources
Link to more information:
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