Biologist Jen Walker releases a Sullivan Creek Lake Trout into Clear Lake. - FWS photo by James Anderson

Biologist James Anderson releases a Sullivan Creek Lake Trout Brood into Big Springs at Palms Book State Park. - FWS photo by Crystal LeGault

Staff from Sullivan Creek and Pendills Creek National Fish Hatcheries stocked retired lake trout broods into three Michigan inland lakes and one Michigan State Park in October. 

The lakes included Clear Lake in Schoolcraft County, Maceday Lake in Oakland County, and Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County.  The State Park was Palms Book, also known as Kitchi-Ti-Kipi or Big Springs, also in Schoolcraft County.

This is the first time the Service has stocked lake trout broods into Maceday, Gull, and Clear Lakes; and the second time for stocking Palms Book State Park.  

Clear Lake was stocked with 25 Superior Apostle Island Wild and 25 Seneca Lake Wild strains of lake trout, for a total of 50 fish.  Biologists Anderson and Walker hauled and stocked this group.

Maceday Lake received 300 Lewis Lake Wild strain lake trout.  Maintenance Mechanic John Shuman hauled and stocked all of these by himself in a total of two fish trips.

Gull Lake received 300 Lewis Lake Wild and 200 Superior Apostle Island Wild lake trout, for a total of 500 broods.  Again, Maintenance Mechanic John Shuman hauled the majority of these fish, with two trucks and two drivers assisting from Jordan River National Fish Hatchery to finish up the stockings.

As for Palms Book State Park, 25 Superior Apostle Island Wild and 25 Seneca Lake Wild lake trout were hand-picked for the stocking.  Biologist Anderson and Fin Clipper Tony Wizauer hauled and stocked this group.

Sullivan Creek partners with the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources to locate inland lakes which have the essential habitat base and depth required by our large lake trout broodstock.  Excess broodstock provide sport fishing opportunities to the public, and anglers have already reported catching the lake trout, they are very excited about the stocking of our retired broods.