In May, Fishery Biologist Aaron Woldt compiled lake whitefish tagging data from Service and partner agencies in a shared database, as part of a Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act funded Lake Huron lake whitefish distribution study.

The goals of this study are to determine the spatial distribution and movement patterns of eight selected lake whitefish stocks in Lake Huron and to determine the contribution of each stock to commercial fishery yields.

The eight stocks selected for this study are Detour, Alpena (Middle Island & Thunder Bay), Saginaw Bay, Burnt Island, South Bay mouth, the Fishing Islands, Douglas Point, and Sarnia. Partner agencies for this study include the Service, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Bruce Power, Chippewas of Nawash, Saugeen First Nation, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

In the fall of 2006, more than 12,000 lake whitefish were tagged by the seven partner agencies across all sampling sites.  From 2003 through 2006, more than 36,000 lake whitefish have been tagged and released. 

Data was entered by each agency into a standard database designed by Woldt and sent to the Alpena FRO for inclusion in a central study database. Woldt provided each agency with data collection protocols and database formats prior to the study’s start.  Woldt has been working with agency data representatives to ensure data accuracy and timely entry.

To date, 2006 data has been entered and proofed from six agencies. Once all data has been entered, Woldt will distribute copies of the central database to all partners. The full database is needed to accurately process tag returns and issue rewards. Each tag carries a $5 or $10 US reward.