Fisheries Biologist Adam Kowalski attended a kids free fishing day in Hubbard Lake, Michigan, on June 9. Alpena FRO obtained live sea lamprey from Hammond Bay research station to take to the event. Children were allowed to handle the sea lamprey while Kowalski talked about the invasive species and the current methods the Service uses to control their numbers in the Great Lakes.

Approximately 100 children and parents visited the sea lamprey station and visited with Kowalski about the program and the Service. There were many other stations at the event for the children including boat safety, fish identification, a fishing pond to catch a rainbow trout, life saving techniques (buoy throw), and others.

Alpena FRO has attended this event for several years as part of the station’s goals to be involved with the public and inform them of the role of the Service’s Fisheries program.