A 15-inch coaster brook trout captured during survey work on Isle Royale. The fin clip on this fish identified it as a fish stocked as a fingerling in fall 2003. - USFWS photo by Jonathan Pyatskowit

Journalist gather around USFWS Fishery Biologist Henry Quinlan to observe measurement of brook trout. - Photo by Candy Petersen

During recent survey work at Isle Royale National Park, Henry Quinlan and Jonathan Pyatskowit of the Ashland Fishery Resources Office addressed 16 journalists from around the country as part of the 2005 Great Waters Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources (IJNR) program.  The Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources is a non-profit organization that "seeks to pursue higher standards of news coverage through expedition-style programs of professional development."

IJNR attempts to improve the quality of the conversations that produce the coverage, especially the conversations between journalists and their sources.  Such interaction is an essential starting point for improving the quality of the public conversation and debate on natural-resource and environmental issues.

Henry and Jonathan were invited to provide journalists with insight into successful fishery rehabilitation efforts in Lake Superior and how that compares to the status of fisheries in other Great Lakes and to explore the mystique of migratory coaster brook trout.

During a morning session, Henry, former Isle Royale commercial fisherman, Mark Rudd, and Park Service staff detailed from three different perspectives, the changes and current status of Great Lakes fisheries with an emphasis on Lake Superior and Isle Royale.  In the afternoon, Jonathan and Henry conducted a survey of Benson Creek to shed light on efforts by Lake Superior fishery agencies to rehabilitate migratory coaster brook trout.  During fish work-up a discussion and question and answer session was held regarding the unique migratory life history of coasters and associated genetic research to determine mechanisms for anadromy.  The capture of beautifully colored, ripe, male brook trout and abundant young-of-the-year as well as many non-native rainbow trout made for interesting discussion and potential material for future articles.