GLFT Wraps up 2025, Awarding Over $1.5 Million in Funding for Special Projects and Research Proposals

Grand Rapids Public Museum for Addressing population knowledge gaps for Grand River lake sturgeon

Researchers will assess the lake sturgeon population in the Grand River to estimate the spawner populations and recruitment of all age-0 fish. The team will use two approaches that include split-beam sonar imaging of spawning sturgeon and genetic analysis of young sturgeon.

Grand Valley State University for Fishing for Purpose: Angler Motivations for Fishing in Drowned River Mouth Lakes

This project will examine the motives and attitudes of anglers along eastern Lake Michigan drowned river mouth lakes. A team of undergraduate students will conduct intercept surveys with anglers at Muskegon, Pentwater, and Pere Marquette Lakes to understand why anglers fish, which species they catch, and the importance of angling activities for household food provisioning.

Miami University for Assessing the likelihood that ultraviolet radiation tissue damage (i.e., sunburn) impacts the survival of larval Lake Whitefish and other fishes

The project will assess whether larval fishes experience lethal levels of ultraviolet (UV) exposure and if resulting mortality has contributed to observed population declines. The project will examine whether larval fishes, including Lake Whitefish, collected across Lake Michigan are subject to severe UV damage.

Michigan State University for Evaluation of PIT tag retention by Young-of-the-year lake sturgeon at a streamside rearing facility

This project will develop best practices for PIT tagging young-of-the-year lake sturgeon before stocking. The project will respond to recent field evaluation that determined PIT tag losses in stocked lake sturgeon may be greater than previously documented. The study will evaluate multiple PIT tag sizes, injector styles, and tagging locations resulting in a management recommendation for PIT tagging young-of-the-year lake sturgeon prior to stocking.

National Wildlife Federation for Strengthening the Value of Science to Protect the Great Lakes Fishery

In collaboration with Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the National Wildlife Federation will launch a strategic education and communications campaign to elevate public understanding of the value of the Great Lakes fishery and the importance of science that sustains it. This initiative will highlight how robust research and well-funded management protect fish, communities, and cultures that depend on these waters.

University of Vermont for Learning from Adikameg: inclusive biocultural monitoring to improve fish stewardship (Funding is provided in collaboration with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission)

Adikameg (Lake Whitefish in Anishinaabemowin) is a culturally and economically important fish for numerous Indigenous Nations and settler communities around the Great Lakes. Researchers will characterize the cultural profile of the species, values and perceptions of fishers, and framings of the Adikameg-people relationship, to inform a more sustainable, effective and inclusive stewardship of Adikameg and its connections with peoples.