Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Shannon Lot pours water over the bow of the RV Steelhead to christen it at the Sept. 30 ceremony.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Shannon Lot pours water over the bow of the RV Steelhead to christen it at the Sept. 30 ceremony.
A new 66-foot, steel-hulled vessel to monitor Lake Michigan fisheries is replacing an older vessel and will mean more efficient and safer operations for Michigan Department of Natural Resources crew members.
During a Sept. 30 ceremony in Charlevoix — the new vessel's home port — DNR officials and other fisheries leaders gathered to commission the vessel, which was christened Research Vessel Steelhead, after its predecessor Survey Vessel Steelhead, by DNR Deputy Director Shannon Lott. DNR Fisheries Division Chief Randy Claramunt granted the vessel's commission.
“The importance and meaning of this new vessel to Fisheries Division and the DNR cannot be overstated,” Claramunt said. “Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes on the planet, and the RV Steelhead and crew will serve as the State of Michigan’s primary means to collect data and inform fisheries management decisions on this Great Lake.”
Also attending the ceremony and tour were DNR Director Scott Bowen; Patrick Hanchin, manager of the DNR Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station; Dan Lord, manager of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust; and Captain Pat O’Neill, captain of the RV Steelhead. After the vessel was named and commissioned, attendees were able to tour it.
The RV Steelhead was designed by Boksa Marine Design and constructed by Moran Iron Works in partnership with Superior Boats. Funding for this project was provided by appropriations in the state budget bills for 2023 and 2025 by the Michigan Legislature, along with grant funding from Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Key features of the new vessel include:
• A premium navigation equipment package that will improve accuracy, safety and operational effectiveness on the water.
• State-of-the-art sampling equipment allowing the crew to perform surveys and collect data with increased precision and reliability.
• A streamlined fish-processing design supporting efficient, organized and high-volume biological sampling during field operations.
• A SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer, providing a significantly safer and more stable work platform for crews, especially in rougher conditions.
• A multiuse stern platform providing safer and easier access to the water’s edge — supporting a wide range of sampling and deployment activities.
• A bow thruster allowing for more precise maneuvering in tight harbors, research sites and challenging wind or current conditions.
• An incorporated solar-charging system, supporting improved energy efficiency and reducing reliance on conventional power sources during operations.
“These features reflect our broader goal of ensuring our field teams have the safest, most capable tools available to carry out the essential work of fisheries research and resource management,” O’Neill said.
As the research vessel serving Lake Michigan, the RV Steelhead will be vital for survey work including the spring gill net survey, lakewide acoustic forage fish survey and bottom trawl survey, which monitor species including lake whitefish, lake trout, burbot, yellow perch and prey fish such as alewife and rainbow smelt, as well as invasive species.
For further information on DNR research stations, vessels and fisheries research, visit Michigan.gov/FishResearch.
During a Sept. 30 ceremony in Charlevoix — the new vessel's home port — DNR officials and other fisheries leaders gathered to commission the vessel, which was christened Research Vessel Steelhead, after its predecessor Survey Vessel Steelhead, by DNR Deputy Director Shannon Lott. DNR Fisheries Division Chief Randy Claramunt granted the vessel's commission.
“The importance and meaning of this new vessel to Fisheries Division and the DNR cannot be overstated,” Claramunt said. “Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes on the planet, and the RV Steelhead and crew will serve as the State of Michigan’s primary means to collect data and inform fisheries management decisions on this Great Lake.”
Also attending the ceremony and tour were DNR Director Scott Bowen; Patrick Hanchin, manager of the DNR Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station; Dan Lord, manager of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust; and Captain Pat O’Neill, captain of the RV Steelhead. After the vessel was named and commissioned, attendees were able to tour it.
The RV Steelhead was designed by Boksa Marine Design and constructed by Moran Iron Works in partnership with Superior Boats. Funding for this project was provided by appropriations in the state budget bills for 2023 and 2025 by the Michigan Legislature, along with grant funding from Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Key features of the new vessel include:
• A premium navigation equipment package that will improve accuracy, safety and operational effectiveness on the water.
• State-of-the-art sampling equipment allowing the crew to perform surveys and collect data with increased precision and reliability.
• A streamlined fish-processing design supporting efficient, organized and high-volume biological sampling during field operations.
• A SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer, providing a significantly safer and more stable work platform for crews, especially in rougher conditions.
• A multiuse stern platform providing safer and easier access to the water’s edge — supporting a wide range of sampling and deployment activities.
• A bow thruster allowing for more precise maneuvering in tight harbors, research sites and challenging wind or current conditions.
• An incorporated solar-charging system, supporting improved energy efficiency and reducing reliance on conventional power sources during operations.
“These features reflect our broader goal of ensuring our field teams have the safest, most capable tools available to carry out the essential work of fisheries research and resource management,” O’Neill said.
As the research vessel serving Lake Michigan, the RV Steelhead will be vital for survey work including the spring gill net survey, lakewide acoustic forage fish survey and bottom trawl survey, which monitor species including lake whitefish, lake trout, burbot, yellow perch and prey fish such as alewife and rainbow smelt, as well as invasive species.
For further information on DNR research stations, vessels and fisheries research, visit Michigan.gov/FishResearch.
Tracking Deer, and a Few Panfish to Boot
By Jack Payne
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small tree shaking violently. Weird, there was no wind, no birds in sight.
After a minute, I could see the leg of a deer. Slowly, I could see its whole body. A dandy eight-pointer was working over the tree.
A second deer walked up to the same short tree and started raking the branches above his head. Both bucks were attacking this small tree something fierce.
The smaller eight-pointer turned and started walking toward me. When the buck was broadside at 30 yards, I shot. The buck ran 20 yards and disappeared behind a clump of trees and into a patch of grass and ferns that stood nearly five feet tall.
The larger buck looked over and started walking my way. I quickly nocked an arrow, and then the first buck made three short bounds to my hard right. Not wanting to lose sight of him, I focused my eyes on the first deer. He stopped in some thick briars maybe 70 yards away. By then, the larger buck had walked away.
I waited an hour and started my search. After 45 minutes, I was perplexed. The trail ended where the buck had bedded down. I searched for another 1.5 hours and no luck.
Then I called in a tracker who uses a dog. We went out and searched for another 1.5 hours. Sad to say, but no deer. I lost two brand-new arrows with broadheads. They somehow came out of my quiver.
When we found the original arrow, we noticed the mechanical head never opened. Well now, I am back to a fixed broadhead. I'm not sure why the mechanical head failed to open, but it won't happen again.
To my guess, the shot was 2-3 inches behind the shoulder and 2-3 inches above the shoulder. I feel sick about this, but I'm somewhat optimistic the buck will survive. This was the third time using a dog to track a deer, and the first time it failed. I started archery hunting back in 1972. Only lost one, maybe two deer over that time period and killed one or two each season.
Folks, I have on X maps, my phone. I created a trail from the place I shot the deer to the last spot where the deer had bedded down. We crisscrossed the area to no avail.
In most instances, I will give the deer an hour before investigating. When you track a wounded deer, go slow. When possible, have a friend assist you. In my case, my best two tracking buddies were out of town. Thus, I went solo until the track went cold. Then I called in the dog tracking team.
Mark each spot of blood with an orange ribbon or a piece of toilet paper. Mark the spots up high so you can see them. If you think that the shot was in the guts or way back, give it 4-6 hours before starting.
Even if I see the deer go down, I wait. Unless I am positive the deer is dead, I play it safe. Make sure to mark each spot or have a buddy stay with the last spot. If possible, walk to the side of the path that the deer used.
On a positive note, we caught some dandy bluegill and crappie fishing in the 28-30 feet of water. All of the fish were within two feet of the bottom. This is the deepest hole in this lake.
If we fished shallower or for higher-suspended fish, we caught smaller fish. A buddy of mine fishes a deep lake and is finding his fish on the deep side of the weeds and out to the first major drop-off.
On that lake, he catches most of his bass and crappie in the 16-24-foot depths. And all of the fish are within a foot or two of the bottom. A third friend started fishing the bayous on a local river and landing plenty of average-sized fish. Once temperatures drop, the larger fish will leave the river and move into the shallower bayous.
Stop in at Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop soon.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small tree shaking violently. Weird, there was no wind, no birds in sight.
After a minute, I could see the leg of a deer. Slowly, I could see its whole body. A dandy eight-pointer was working over the tree.
A second deer walked up to the same short tree and started raking the branches above his head. Both bucks were attacking this small tree something fierce.
The smaller eight-pointer turned and started walking toward me. When the buck was broadside at 30 yards, I shot. The buck ran 20 yards and disappeared behind a clump of trees and into a patch of grass and ferns that stood nearly five feet tall.
The larger buck looked over and started walking my way. I quickly nocked an arrow, and then the first buck made three short bounds to my hard right. Not wanting to lose sight of him, I focused my eyes on the first deer. He stopped in some thick briars maybe 70 yards away. By then, the larger buck had walked away.
I waited an hour and started my search. After 45 minutes, I was perplexed. The trail ended where the buck had bedded down. I searched for another 1.5 hours and no luck.
Then I called in a tracker who uses a dog. We went out and searched for another 1.5 hours. Sad to say, but no deer. I lost two brand-new arrows with broadheads. They somehow came out of my quiver.
When we found the original arrow, we noticed the mechanical head never opened. Well now, I am back to a fixed broadhead. I'm not sure why the mechanical head failed to open, but it won't happen again.
To my guess, the shot was 2-3 inches behind the shoulder and 2-3 inches above the shoulder. I feel sick about this, but I'm somewhat optimistic the buck will survive. This was the third time using a dog to track a deer, and the first time it failed. I started archery hunting back in 1972. Only lost one, maybe two deer over that time period and killed one or two each season.
Folks, I have on X maps, my phone. I created a trail from the place I shot the deer to the last spot where the deer had bedded down. We crisscrossed the area to no avail.
In most instances, I will give the deer an hour before investigating. When you track a wounded deer, go slow. When possible, have a friend assist you. In my case, my best two tracking buddies were out of town. Thus, I went solo until the track went cold. Then I called in the dog tracking team.
Mark each spot of blood with an orange ribbon or a piece of toilet paper. Mark the spots up high so you can see them. If you think that the shot was in the guts or way back, give it 4-6 hours before starting.
Even if I see the deer go down, I wait. Unless I am positive the deer is dead, I play it safe. Make sure to mark each spot or have a buddy stay with the last spot. If possible, walk to the side of the path that the deer used.
On a positive note, we caught some dandy bluegill and crappie fishing in the 28-30 feet of water. All of the fish were within two feet of the bottom. This is the deepest hole in this lake.
If we fished shallower or for higher-suspended fish, we caught smaller fish. A buddy of mine fishes a deep lake and is finding his fish on the deep side of the weeds and out to the first major drop-off.
On that lake, he catches most of his bass and crappie in the 16-24-foot depths. And all of the fish are within a foot or two of the bottom. A third friend started fishing the bayous on a local river and landing plenty of average-sized fish. Once temperatures drop, the larger fish will leave the river and move into the shallower bayous.
Stop in at Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop soon.
Invasive Crayfish Found in Cass County
Invasive red swamp crayfish have been found in southwest Michigan’s Cass County for the first time.
Two crayfish carcasses were found in a private pond near the city of Niles by the SW x SW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area while conducting a snorkel survey for invasive aquatic plants in mid-September. Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff positively identified the specimens as invasive red swamp crayfish.
Though native to the southern U.S., red swamp crayfish have been prohibited in Michigan since 2014. They are considered invasive in the state because of their high reproductive rate and ability to aggressively outcompete native crayfish, amphibians, invertebrates and juvenile fish for food and habitat. They can be particularly destructive to aquatic plants, the loss of which can cause water quality and clarity issues. The crayfish’s destructive burrowing along shorelines can destabilize banks and infrastructure.
Populations of red swamp crayfish were first detected in Michigan in 2017, with discoveries in Sunset Lake in Kalamazoo and a retention pond in Novi.
To date, isolated infestations have been confirmed in Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Van Buren and Wayne counties. Infestations are believed to result from the release or escape of aquarium pets, live bait or live crayfish brought to Michigan for crawfish boils.
For more information on invasive red swamp crayfish, including identifying characteristics, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.
Two crayfish carcasses were found in a private pond near the city of Niles by the SW x SW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area while conducting a snorkel survey for invasive aquatic plants in mid-September. Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff positively identified the specimens as invasive red swamp crayfish.
Though native to the southern U.S., red swamp crayfish have been prohibited in Michigan since 2014. They are considered invasive in the state because of their high reproductive rate and ability to aggressively outcompete native crayfish, amphibians, invertebrates and juvenile fish for food and habitat. They can be particularly destructive to aquatic plants, the loss of which can cause water quality and clarity issues. The crayfish’s destructive burrowing along shorelines can destabilize banks and infrastructure.
Populations of red swamp crayfish were first detected in Michigan in 2017, with discoveries in Sunset Lake in Kalamazoo and a retention pond in Novi.
To date, isolated infestations have been confirmed in Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Van Buren and Wayne counties. Infestations are believed to result from the release or escape of aquarium pets, live bait or live crayfish brought to Michigan for crawfish boils.
For more information on invasive red swamp crayfish, including identifying characteristics, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.
