Updated 2024-12-17 21:06:48
Lake Huron -> 3.0 Esocid (Northern Pike and Muskellunge) -> Northern Pike Abundance
Reporting Interval
2018 - 2022
Area
US Waters
Meeting Target?
Meets
Indicator Trend
No trend
Confidence?
Moderate
3.1.2 Northern Pike Survey Catch Rates
Nearshore US Waters - In the nearshore US waters of Lake Huron, northern pike catch per unit effort has been variable, but relatively stable and low during the current reporting period. Similarly low catch levels were also recorded during the previous reporting period. Northern pike and muskellunge remain present in nearshore US waters of Lake Huron and continue to be important coolwater predators.
St. Marys River (Joint Waters) - In the joint waters of the St. Marys River, Northern pike catch per unit effort has been variable over the current reporting period. Relative to the previous reporting period (2013-2017), the data suggests there may be a slight increase to catch per unit effort, however, that may be due to sampling locations, effort, and efficiencies in the field. Northern Pike continues to be an important apex predator in the Saint Marys River system.
Saginaw Bay - Saginaw Bay typically has higher catch rates than the other nearshore waters of Michigan, with a significant spike in 2018 caused by several pike caught during a few sampling events, skewing the catch per unit effort. Northern pike and muskellunge remain present in nearshore waters of Saginaw Bay and continue to be important coolwater predators.
Figure 1. Northern pike catch rates in US nearshore waters and St. Marys River assessment surveys. Gears vary between assessment surveys.
Figure 2. Northern pike catch rates in Saginaw Bay assessment surveys. Gears vary between assessment surveys.
Methodology
Nearshore US Waters - Data comes from the USFWS AIS Early Detection and Monitoring database (2013-2022). Surveys occur in US waters of Cheboygan, Rogers City, Thunder Bay, Au Sable River, and Au Gres. 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).
St. Marys River - Data comes from the GLFC LHTC St. 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).
Saginaw Bay - Data comes from the Michigan DNR Saginaw Bay gillnetting and trawling surveys. Database ownership – Michigan Department of Natural Resources (for questions, contact Dave Fielder, fielderd@michigan.gov)
Other Resources
Contributing Author(s)
- Mike Rucinski - USFWS
- Lisa O'Connor - DFO
- Dave Fielder - MDNR
- Jeff Jolley - MDNR