Biologist from the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Hatchery stock brook trout in Zeba creek. - FWS photo

Nikolas Grueneis, Iron River NFH, and staff from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department recently stocked 30,000 coaster brook trout fry into tribal waters. 

The coaster fry were reared at the Iron River NFH and, stocked into Kelsey and Zeba Creeks, each receiving 15,000 fish. These tributaries of Lake Superior are located on tribal community lands and are part of an ongoing rehabilitation plan for coasters in Lake Superior.

The fry were marked with an oxytetracycline chemical treatment at the hatchery before being released. This allows biologists to monitor the status of hatchery coasters in these habitats.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Service have worked cooperatively on a rehabilitation plan for Lake Superior brook trout since 1997. The combined efforts have led to continued monitoring of the coaster’s status, distribution, movement, and abundance of re-introduced fish.

In addition, the tribe has acquired land, performed stream habitat improvements, and removed barriers that would impact coaster recovery.