Sturgeon Release Party

A unique partnership between the DNR, Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Gun Lake Potowatami has led to the rearing and release of 35 sturgeon into the Kalamazoo River. 

The mobile hatchery is parked by the Kalamazoo River. Stefan Tucker (R) worked closely with the fish

I attended the "Release Party" this month at the  New Richmond Bridge County Park  on the Kalamazoo River. It was quite an event with over 300 people in attendance.

4-month old sturgeon

Members of the Gun Lake Potowatami Tribe sang the fish song for the release

Kregg Smith (right, green shirt) from the DNR addresses the crowd

People lined up along the river to watch 

Sturgeon are an ancient fish. Their numbers have been depleted all over the Great Lakes basin. This effort is one of many to help restore the populations of this fish. 

Kregg Smith (left) allows the kids to touch the sturgeon and help release them into the river

 Members of the Gun Lake Tribe released the first few sturgeon into the river, then kids in attendance released the remaining sturgeon. 

A baby soft shell turtle swam by during the release party

The Asian Carp -- closer to the lake than previously thought

One Asian carp was found in the area that was treated with Rotenone (a fish poison).

The connection between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River system is manmade. It is the Sanitary and Ship Canal and it was dug in the 1890s. We are able to disconnect these two water systems. Shipping commodities around the Chicago area would have to be modified a bit, but most of the shipping within the canal systems does NOT go out into the lake anyway.

Even a temporary closure of the canals would be wise in order to determine how well the electric barriers are working and how they can be optimized or augmented with other barriers.

Here is a list of the decision makers in this battle:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

For questions about Rotenone application
Stacey Solano (217) 299-3733 stacey.solano@illinois.gov
Chris McCloud (217) 299-7128 chris.mccloud@illinois.gov

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
For questions about the electric barriers/maintenance
Lynne Whelan (312) 846-5330 lynne.e.whelan@usace.army.mil

U.S. Coast Guard
For questions about the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal closure
Lt. Dave French (216) 902-6021 David.M.French@uscg.mil

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
For questions about the impact of Asian carp on the Great Lakes
Anne Rowan (312) 353-9391 Rowan.Anne@epamail.epa.gov
Phillippa Cannon (312) 353-6218 (773) 271-3370 (cell) Cannon.Phillippa@epamail.epa.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
For questions about the impact of Asian carp on the Great Lakes
Ashley P. Spratt (612) 713-5314 ashley_spratt@fws.gov