This summer, Isle Royale National Park officials are partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to conduct a “creel” survey of the Isle Royale-Lake Superior fishery and are asking the public to help.
Anglers are being asked to voluntarily report their catch rates, species and fishing methods. MDNR staff hope to gain insights into fish populations, patterns and angler preferences, officials said in a release this week.
Researchers hope to gather data from anglers in the park on the water, at docks and on the Ranger III passenger ferry.
Here’s what to know about the creel survey at Isle Royale National Park:
What is a creel?
A creel is a wicker basket for carrying fish, historically used by anglers to hold their catches.
What is the purpose of the survey?
The last Isle Royale creel survey took place in 1998.
The new creel survey will inform management strategies to enhance fishing experiences, while preserving the ecological integrity of the fishery, officials said.
The survey will continue through Sept. 1. Surveys are issued with boater permits and are also available at park visitor centers.
Where is Isle Royale National Park?
Isle Royale National Park is a group of islands in northwestern Lake Superior, north of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
What is Isle Royale National Park?
Isle Royale National Park is a park that consists of a large island surrounded by more than 450 smaller islands, preserving 132,018 acres of wilderness on 850 square miles.
Opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling, diving and more, are available on the park, the National Park Service says.
How many different species of fish are in Michigan waters?
Michigan is home to 155 different kinds of fish. Some fish, such as sunfish, are open to catch year-round while others, like walleye, bass and sturgeon, have specific seasons.
Michigan fishing license requirements
How to purchase a fishing license
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing through the app. You also may purchase licenses in person at a variety of stores.
For Michiganders who regularly renew their license, select auto-renewal at checkout to automatically buy future licenses as they become available.
A checklist of what you need to start fishing
To get started fishing in Michigan the DNR recommends:
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Isle Royale creel survey underway. How you can help track fish in Lake Superior
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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