River News Calendar About WMTU Join WMTU WMTU Board Links Communicate WMTU Home

Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited To conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries Muskegon River Steelhead symposium The chapter held its first Steelhead Symposium regarding the Muskegon River on February 24, 2007. The idea was to bring together a variety of people to talk about the issues facing the Michigan steelhead fishery. It was seen as an opportunity to discuss the biology, river habitat, regulations and economics of steelhead fishing. The genesis of the event began with a report that Matt Supinski wrote regarding the status of Michigan's steelhead. His report was read by the SWMTU board, the Michigan Council of TU, and the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division. The DNR responded to his report. Click here to read the Matt Supinski report and the DNR reply. Presented below is the agenda with links to the speaker's presentations. Welcome and Introduction of Guests Dave Smith - President SWMTU Moderator - Chuck Pistis, Interim Coordinator Michigan Sea Grant Program Biology and Life Cycle of Michigan Steelhead o Steelhead Biology and Fisheries Health Rich O'Neal - Michigan Department of Natural Resources o Stocked Steelhead Studies Jory Jonas - Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources o A Guide's Perspective Jeff Bacon, On The Fly Guide Service o Dams on the Muskegon River Jim Schramm, Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition o Challenges on the Muskegon River Watershed Jeff Alexander, author of "The Muskegon: The Majesty and Travesty of Michigan's Rarest River" and writer for the Muskegon Chronicle Vision for the Future o Future Steelhead Research Ed Rutherford, Research Scientist, University of Michigan PERM (Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management) o Economic Impact of Muskegon Fishing Andy Lofgren, Executive Director - Newaygo County Economic Development o Proposal for Quality Fishing Regulations Matt Supinski, owner Gray Drake Lodge and Outfitters Dave Borgeson, Retired Assistant Chief of Fisheries, MI-DNR Panel Discussion Rich O'Neal - Michigan Department of Natural Resources Jory Jonas - Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Ed Rutherford, Research Scientist, University of Michigan PERM Jim Dexter, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Jeff Bacon, On The Fly Guide Service Jim Schramm, Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition Jeff Alexander, author of “"The Muskegon: The Majesty and Travesty of Michigan's Rarest River"” and writer for the Muskegon Chronicle Andy Lofgren, Executive Director - Newaygo County Economic Development Matt Supinski, owner Gray Drake Lodge and Outfitters Dave Borgeson, Retired Assistant Chief of Fisheries, MI-DNR Summary Comments and Wrap-up