On June 9, the Service hosted an Open House in Alpena, Michigan to showcase the M/V Spencer F. Baird while it is in Lake Huron stocking lake trout. 

The event provided an opportunity for the general public to board and inspect this state-of-the-art fish stocking and stock assessment vessel and talk with Service staff about the programs and work being completed with the vessel. 

Numerous Service staff participated in the event and met with visitors as they arrived. 

Participants included Aaron Woldt and Jerry McClain (Alpena FRO), Tim Smigielski (Jordan River NFH), Nick Grueneis (Iron River NFH), Mike Perry, Bob Bergstrom and Dave Bohn (M/V Spencer F. Baird). 

Approximately 50 visitors were given tours of the vessel during the 3 hour event.

Hosting the open house in Alpena provided a unique opportunity for visitors to visually compare the M/V Spencer F. Baird with the M/V Togue that it replaces as the two vessels are tied up next to each other on the Thunder Bay River.   

Several of the visitors returned on Sunday to watch fish loaded for a trip to the North Point Reefs stocking site.