Gear Restrictions on Paint Creek Public Meeting

[Woodland Rivers]

Gear Restriction Proposal for Paint Creek, Entry No. 802
Lake Erie Management Unit

June 23, 2010


This is it, the DNRE Gear Restriction public meeting on the Paint Creek Proposal is this Wednesday, June 23rd @ 7:00PM at the Rochester Hills City Hall – Auditorium, 1000 Rochester Hills Dr., Rochester Hills, MI 48309.




We need lots of supporters to attend this meeting and to let the DNRE know you support this proposal. You do not have to be a member of Trout Unlimited; you just need to support the proposal. This includes going to the microphone and letting them know you are in support of this gear restriction proposal. It’s as simple as that.




The sponsoring groups – Challenge Chapter TU, Clinton Valley Chapter TU, Paul Young Chapter TU, Vanguard Chapter TU, Clinton River Watershed Council, Michigan Fly Fishing Club, and Fellowship of Fly Fishers – met twice over the past two weeks to develop specific recommendations to what the DNRE preliminarily recommended from our original proposal. Our original proposal and their recommendations, while similar, are not the same. The differences are significant enough that we felt it necessary to re-propose some items form our original proposal.




The proposed stream segment:


DNRE Recommendation: Silverbell Road (upstream limit) to Tienken Road (downstream limit), 3.5 river miles




Paint Creek Coalition Proposal: Gunn Road (upstream limit) to Tienken Road (downstream limit), 5.5 river miles FAVORED




Alternate proposal: Adams Road (upstream limit) to Ludlow Street (downstream limit)



Justification for our favored proposal:




This stream segment was selected based on most suitable Habitat (via physical habitat surveys), Temperature profile (via temperature logger data), public access and social considerations (meaning; avoidance of public municipal parks where a variety of angling methods are practiced).




Limiting the gear restricted segment to 3.5 miles may increase and concentrate angling pressure on resident brown trout populations, and could result in an increase fishing mortality. Additionally, a proposed dam removal upstream of Gallagher Rd will increase availability of suitable trout habitat, and would be included if the upper limit segment was set at Gunn Rd.





Season, Possession, minimum size limit and creel limit:


DNRE Recommendation: 10 inch minimum size limit for all trout species. Creel limit of 2 trout.



Paint Creek Coalition Proposal: We offer three size limit regulations proposals:




1. Minimum size limit of 14 inches for brown trout (preferred proposal)




2. Minimum size limit of 10 inches and a maximum size limit of 14 inches




3. Creel limit of two trout, with only one trout, any species, over 14 inches




Justification for our favored proposal:




While we strongly support passage of gear restricted regulations for Paint Creek, we think that the DNRE proposed regulations to not provide adequate protection to resident, non-stocked brown trout, and fall short of enhancing natural reproduction of brown trout. A significant population of resident brown trout, the result of natural reproduction in Paint Creek, has been documented by the Michigan DNR (Wills, T.C., North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 26:535-544, 2006). A further conclusion in this report was that stocked brown trout, no matter the specific stock strain (Wild Rose or Gilchrist Creek) did not survive as well in Paint Creek compared to resident brown trout.




Paint Creek resident brown trout are fish that have successfully adapted to specific stream characteristics (flow and thermal regimes, etc.) of Paint Creek in order to survive and reproduce. It is possible that resident brown trout contain genetic diversity that may be the cumulative result of decades of survival and reproduction under selective pressures unique to Paint Creek. Thus, resident trout may have a genetic predisposition to survive well and reproduce in Paint Creek. Such genetic richness would be lost if the spawning population of brown trout is over-exploitation by anglers.




The main goal we desire to achieve through gear restrictions is to provide protection to better ensure sustainability of resident brown trout and natural reproduction. Gear restricted regulations for Paint Creek should reflect the threat of high (and potentially increased) angler pressure given the unique urban environment and excellent public access of Paint Creek, and the fact that it is the only trout fishery in southeast Michigan. We think the above listed modified size limit rules would better protect sexually mature population of brown trout.





Artificial lures, number and size of hooks:


DNRE Recommendation: Artificial lure only.



Paint Creek Coalition Proposal: Single Hook Only – (No multi-point hooks)



Number of Hooks - Two hooks maximum



Hook Size – Maximum of 3/8” hook gap (From hook point to shank)



Justification for our favored proposal:




Our intent is to minimize angling mortality. While data are not available on either natural mortality or angling mortality, history has shown that gear restrictions will cause an increase in fishing pressure. This is a particular concern in such a highly populated watershed, particularly one that is this small with this much access. While many anglers intend to release any fish that they catch, hooking mortality is not zero. Therefore, regulations on the type, number, and size of hooks used would seem prudent.



We are re-submitting these proposals in response to the DNRE recommendations because we believe they support increased natural reproduction and sustainability for all trout species, and particularly brown trout, and equally important, they offer significant consideration of the social science aspects of this coldwater resource.



Your participation is greatly needed at this meeting. While we encourage a unified voice in support of this gear restriction proposal, we encourage you to voice your opinion and offer your recommendations whatever they may be.



Thanks,



Paint Creek Gear Restriction Coalition

uot; height="1" border="0" /> © 2008 Trout Unlimited www.vanguardtu.org OR vanguardtu@gmail.com