Larry Wawronowicz (Deputy Administrator of Natural Resources) from the Lac du Flambeau (LDF) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, requested that the Ashland NFWCO review and comment on a Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) application for a project in 2009.  Staff biologist, Frank Stone read the draft document (The utilization of Cisco as VHS free forage fish, for extended growth Muskellunge fingerling production for stocking Reservation Lakes) and provided comments back to Mr. Wawronowicz.

In order to maintain a high level subsistence fishery, the LDF Conservation Department believes it is necessary to raise muskie for stocking reservation waters. Before the increase of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), extended growth muskie fingerlings were produced by using wild or purchased bait fish.  The increase in the cost of bait fish is associated with the forage being VHS free and being able to provide the muskie fingerlings with the right size forage at the right time.  Currently, the Tribe has suspended raising extended growth muskellunge because of VHS and associated high costs of forage fish.  The LDF Conservation Department is proposing to develop and evaluate cost effective fish culture techniques to raise VHS free extended growth muskellunge fingerlings using lake herring as a forage fish.

Tribal resource programs throughout the United States will receive financial help in 2009 to initiate projects ranging from base line data collection and habitat restoration to the control of invasive plant species.  The TWG program provides new funding opportunities to Tribes for activities that protect and restore habitats that will benefit fish and wildlife species of Tribal significance.  TWG grants also support the efforts of tribal governments to develop or augment there capacity to manage, conserve, or protect fish and wildlife species of concern through the provision of additional funding and technical support.