The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on Apr. 17 that it is considering alternative options for collecting steelhead eggs after recent storm damage at the Little Manistee River Weir in Manistee County resulted in a loss of fish.
The department said the goal for this season is to collect 3.5 million steelhead eggs to supply Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. Once the state’s needs are met, requests from out-of-state entities will be reviewed.
To help reach this target, officials have deployed the Lower Platte River Weir in Benzie County as a backup source for additional steelhead eggs if needed. While this weir is operational, fishing within 300 feet of the structure on the Platte River is closed to anglers.
Despite damage from heavy storms, egg collection efforts continued last week at Little Manistee River Weir, with more than one million eggs gathered so far. Additional collections are scheduled at that location next week.
Those interested in updates about the egg-collection schedule can call the Little Manistee River Weir hotline at 231-775-9727 and press 8.
