Fish-Habitat Associations in Manistee River, Michigan Tributaries: Implications for Arctic Grayling Restoration

The Manistee River, MI flows through the tribal lands of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI) and once supported the last known Arctic Grayling population in the State’s Lower Peninsula.  Several factors are believed to have contributed to the loss of this species from Michigan including overharvest, habitat destruction, and competition and/or predation from non-native fish species. The objective of this study is to describe existing relationships among instream habitat features and the abundance of potential competitors and/or predators in the Manistee River watershed.  Field surveys conducted during 2012 in eight Manistee River tributaries identified suitable abiotic habitat for Arctic Grayling in 20 of 22 sampling reaches.  However, a non-native salmonid (Brown Trout) appears to be influencing some of the observed habitat associations of other fish species currently occupying these tributaries. Based on habitat conditions and Brown Trout densities there appear to be four distinct tributary regions that could be used to enhance the success of Arctic Grayling reintroduction efforts.  Reintroduction of Arctic Grayling would support LRBOI and State goals for native species restoration, and provide a unique and historic sportfishing opportunity in the State of Michigan that has been absent for nearly 100 years.