Detroit River
New fish habitat in Trenton Channel New fish habitat in Trenton Channel
Nov 30, 2009 08:02 PM
By Tom Watts, Journal
Register News Service
We are thankful for many things on this holiday, but when it comes to our water resources in Southeast Michigan, we are grateful when good news gushes our way.
Small miracles do happen on the Detroit River. Land that was once used a chemical dump has been turned into new habitat for bass, sturgeon and walleye.
Some of the leaders in this comeback project may surprise you. John Hartig, Detroit River International Refuge Manager, said the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality took the lead in negotiating and approving the cleanup of the BASF Corporation Riverview site in the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have a goal to reduce levels of toxic substances to a threshold that does not threaten or harm or adversely affect wildlife, fish or human health, Hartig said. "We have an interest in stopping the input of toxic substances to the river and refuge."
Hartig said the USFWS provided input to the DEQ and BASF regarding the need to stop the input of contaminants from the BASF Riverview site.
"Further, we encouraged the removal of 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Trenton Channel (out in front of the BASF Riverview site) and disposal of the contaminated sediment in the upland containment cell on site," Hartig said. "An inward hydraulic gradient is maintained, stopping any input of contaminants. Once the sediment remediation was completed, BASF built one acre of fish habitat."
Once the input of contaminants was stopped and the sediment remediation was completed, the USFWS encouraged BASF to construct the fish habitat and provided advice.
For their part, BASF spent about $100,000 on the habitat. "The money was used to purchase limestone rock for fish spawning habitat and to place the stone in the river," Hartig said. "They also added some incidental habitat (habitat features added to navigational structures like break walls and jetties) at the base of the steel sheet pile wall."
Records indicate BASF acquired the property near the Grosse Ile toll bridge and the Riverview boat dock in the 1960s. The land was used as a dump site by its previous owner. In 1998, mercury, PCBs and dioxin were found to be contaminating the groundwater.
"This habitat project was done as part of the Michigan DEQ approved remediation of the BASF Riverview site," Hartig said. "Again, once the input of contaminants was stopped (as a result of the remediation) and 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments in the Trenton Channel remediated, then one acre of fish habitat was constructed."
Click here for the entire article:
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2009/11/29/sports/srv0000006948301.txt
We are thankful for many things on this holiday, but when it comes to our water resources in Southeast Michigan, we are grateful when good news gushes our way.
Small miracles do happen on the Detroit River. Land that was once used a chemical dump has been turned into new habitat for bass, sturgeon and walleye.
Some of the leaders in this comeback project may surprise you. John Hartig, Detroit River International Refuge Manager, said the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality took the lead in negotiating and approving the cleanup of the BASF Corporation Riverview site in the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have a goal to reduce levels of toxic substances to a threshold that does not threaten or harm or adversely affect wildlife, fish or human health, Hartig said. "We have an interest in stopping the input of toxic substances to the river and refuge."
Hartig said the USFWS provided input to the DEQ and BASF regarding the need to stop the input of contaminants from the BASF Riverview site.
"Further, we encouraged the removal of 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Trenton Channel (out in front of the BASF Riverview site) and disposal of the contaminated sediment in the upland containment cell on site," Hartig said. "An inward hydraulic gradient is maintained, stopping any input of contaminants. Once the sediment remediation was completed, BASF built one acre of fish habitat."
Once the input of contaminants was stopped and the sediment remediation was completed, the USFWS encouraged BASF to construct the fish habitat and provided advice.
For their part, BASF spent about $100,000 on the habitat. "The money was used to purchase limestone rock for fish spawning habitat and to place the stone in the river," Hartig said. "They also added some incidental habitat (habitat features added to navigational structures like break walls and jetties) at the base of the steel sheet pile wall."
Records indicate BASF acquired the property near the Grosse Ile toll bridge and the Riverview boat dock in the 1960s. The land was used as a dump site by its previous owner. In 1998, mercury, PCBs and dioxin were found to be contaminating the groundwater.
"This habitat project was done as part of the Michigan DEQ approved remediation of the BASF Riverview site," Hartig said. "Again, once the input of contaminants was stopped (as a result of the remediation) and 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments in the Trenton Channel remediated, then one acre of fish habitat was constructed."
Click here for the entire article:
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2009/11/29/sports/srv0000006948301.txt
Video: Fishing for food
May 30, 2009 12:40 PM
DNR Fishing Report
May 07, 2008 08:47 PM
Lake Erie - Catch rates remain fair with the cooler temperatures. Anglers had mild success for walleye near the Fermi Power Plant and Stony Point when slow trolling with bottom bouncers. The Dumping Grounds near Bolles Harbor were also producing a few fish. Those fishing the lake side of the Banana Dike caught walleye in 10 feet of water. Large numbers of white bass are hitting on live bait. The catch and release bass action has been good near the shoreline and in the channel off Bolles Harbor.
Huron River - There are still light numbers of steelhead below the dam. Walleye fishing has picked up and the smallmouth bass bite has been good. The river has a lot of carp and suckers.
Detroit River - Has good walleye action along the entire river when using jigs with minnows or crank baits in the early morning or late at night. Perch have been caught around Stony Island but watch out for the rocks. Most are using perch rigs with shiners. The white bass are just starting to come in.
Lake St. Clair - Some walleye were caught when jigging or handlining but the action is slow. Better weather will bring better fishing.
Lexington - Boats trolling in 15 to 25 feet of water have caught coho, lake trout steelhead and brown trout with a few chinook and walleye mixed in. Bombers and rapalas were the ticket. Pier anglers have caught small perch.
Click here for the entire fishing report:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_10848-34956--,00.html
Detroit River run provides legendary walleye fishing
Apr 28, 2008 05:52 PM
Detroit River run provides legendary walleye fishing
APRIL 24, 2008
When Nick Homayed was a teenager fishing the Detroit River every chance he got, he figured that stretchy monofilament line was a major reason for missing the hook set when a walleye struck.
"So I spooled a reel with dental floss, and it really worked. I thought I was on to something," said Homayed, a Dearborn Heights angler who is one of the most knowledgeable walleye guides in the state...
Click Here for the entire article:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/SPORTS10/804240402