Weir Facts

When I was at the weir on 9/22/01, most of the holding pens were pretty full and you can see all the fins sticking up in the photos below of the pens.  I consider these Chinooks or Kings to be the smart ones, because they didn't go into my fish box.  

The Life Cycle of the King Salmon

The typical chinook salmon returns to spawn at the age of 4 years, but many fish can return at the age of 3 to spawn. Some fish will spawn earlier than others.  The "Reel Big Ones" live to 5 or 6 years and can attain weights exceeding 30 pounds regularly.  40 pounders are rare in Michigan waters.

The number of fish stocked each year does not reflect the number of fish that will return to spawn. There are factors such as weather, predators, conditions at the time of stocking, strength of the year class, and general health of the fish.

Here's a phone number for a recorded message (231-775-9727 ext. 6072) for tracking the number of fish passed over the weir, all Steelhead and Browns are passed upstream.

In 1999 The DNR reduced salmon stocking program to balance predator levels (salmon, steelhead, etc) with prey (forage base).  They have been at that level for the past 3 stocking seasons and it is projected to stay that way for at least another 3 years.  The DNR will continue to evaluate catch rates, forage base, etc. and make necessary changes, but nothing is anticipated at this point.