Updated 2024-12-13 20:57:37
Lake Huron -> 6.0 Centrarchid (Bass and Sunfish) -> Smallmouth Bass Abundance
Reporting Interval
2018 - 2022
Area
US Waters
Meeting Target?
Meets
Indicator Trend
No trend
Confidence?
Moderate
6.1.2 Smallmouth Bass Survey Catch Rates
Nearshore US Waters - In the nearshore US waters of Lake Huron, Smallmouth Bass catch per unit effort is highly variable, with no discernable trend over the current reporting period (2018-2022) or the previous reporting period (2013-2017). Numbers of Smallmouth Bass in US nearshore waters of Lake Huron are similar to those from Saginaw Bay. Smallmouth bass and other centrarchids remain an important component to the nearshore fish community in Lake Huron.
Saginaw Bay - In Saginaw Bay, Smallmouth Bass catch per unit effort is highly variable, with no discernable trend over the current reporting period (2018-2022). Numbers of Smallmouth Bass in Saginaw Bay are similar to those from other nearshore waters of Lake Huron. Smallmouth Bass and other centrarchids remain an important component to the nearshore fish community in Saginaw Bay and the rest of Lake Huron.
St. Marys River (Joint Waters) - In the joint waters of the St. Marys River, catch per unit effort for Smallmouth Bass was highly variable over the current reporting period (2018-2022) and the previous reporting period (2013-2017). However, catch per unit effort was much greater in the St. Marys River when compared to the other nearshore waters of Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. Smallmouth Bass and other centrarchids continue to be an important component to the fish community in the St. Marys River system.
Figure 1. Smallmouth bass catch per unit effort in US nearshore waters and Saginaw Bay assessment surveys. Gears vary by assessment survey.
Figure 2. Smallmouth bass catch per unit effort in St. Marys River assessment surveys. Gears vary by assessment survey.
Methodology
Nearshore US Waters- Data comes from the USFWS AIS Early Detection and Monitoring database (2013-2022). Surveys occur in US waters of the Saint Marys River, eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Cheboygan, Rogers City, Thunder Bay, Au Sable River, Au Gres, and Saginaw Bay. Gear includes electrofishing, bottom trawl, gill net, fyke net (mini and paired), and minnow trap. Sampling is conducted from spring to fall in river mouths and nearshore waters targeting species-rich areas and areas where rare species were previously captured. The survey was initiated in the St. Marys River in 2013, Saginaw River was added in 2017, and all remaining locations were added in 2019. Species are identified and counted during the survey, information is also collected about the location, water chemistry, and general habitat. Database ownership – US Fish and Wildlife Service Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (for questions, contact Mike Rucinski, michael_rucinski@fws.gov).
Saginaw Bay - In Saginaw Bay, Smallmouth Bass catch per unit effort is highly variable, with no discernable trend over the current reporting period (2018-2022). Numbers of Smallmouth Bass in Saginaw Bay are similar to those from other nearshore waters of Lake Huron. Smallmouth Bass and other centrarchids remain an important component to the nearshore fish community in Saginaw Bay and the rest of Lake Huron.
St. Marys River (Joint Waters) - Data comes from the GLFC LHTC Saint Marys River Fisheries Task Group (SMRFTG) Nearshore Netting Survey which occurs roughly every 5 years by partners that sit on the SMRFTG. These surveys occurred in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022. Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Huron Technical Committee Saint Marys River Fisheries Task Group. Database ownership – Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Huron Technical Committee Saint Marys River Fisheries Task Group (for questions, contact Lisa O’Connor, lisa.oconnor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca).
Other Resources
Contributing Author(s)
- Mike Rucinski - USFWS
- Lisa O'Connor - DFO
- Dave Fielder - MDNR
- Jeff Jolley - MDNR