Field Guide

NEW TROPHY FISH: Walleye has become the most harvested fish in Michigan’s Great Lakes, according to a statewide angler survey recently released by the Michigan DNR. That’s mostly due to a change in the food chain caused by the invasion of mussels in Lake Huron and, to a lesser extent, Lake Michigan. The invasive species feasts on phytoplankton and has contributed to the disappearance of alewives, which were a main source of food for salmon and lake trout. Populations of both types of fish had significantly declined in Lake Huron. Alewives ate the eggs and fry of other species; as a result of their disappearance, walleye populations are growing. Lake trout numbers, once devastated by sea lamprey predation and the loss of alewives, are increasing again. Survey results suggest Lake Huron today accounts for more than half of all the fishing effort in Michigan’s Great Lakes fishery. www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/dnrfishlibrary/fisheriesreports

BUCKET LIST DRIVE: The Keweenaw Peninsula’s Copper Country Trail National Byway shines as a delightful U.P. fall color route. This Pure Michigan gem blends history and natural beauty while meandering 47 miles mostly along U.S. 41 from Houghton-Hancock’s Portage Lake Lift Bridge north to Copper Harbor on the shores of Lake Superior. Fall color enthusiasts can venture off at M-203 or M-26 to explore other treasures. Designated a national byway in 1994, this scenic corridor includes small towns with beautiful architecture and notable sites, such as massive mine shafts that served as the backbone of the U.S. copper boom of the 1860s. You’ll discover opportunities to hike among 300-year-old giant pines, trek to neat spots such as Jacob’s Falls, bike through the towns and catch the stunning fall colors along the way, or visit the amazing A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton and the Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet. visitkeweenaw.com 

EXPLORE THE BAY: Here’s a new way to enjoy Little Traverse Bay on a sailboat outing offered by Harbor Springs’ Colonial Inn, which is now open year-round. The 130-year-old retreat, with 42 rooms in the historic West Wequetonsing neighborhood, recently launched its Call of the Wild private sailing charter experience for guests and visitors. The inn offers two- and four-hour private day sails for up to six passengers, with extended private charters available. The three-hour sunset cruise features stunning views of the sun dipping below the Lake Michigan horizon. Snacks and spirit-free beverages are included on board. Guests also can purchase bar bites and alcoholic beverages from the inn’s Bar 1894 before departure. Captain Charlie MacDonald tailors each outing on the 44.5-foot Hunter Passage sailboat to feel personal as guests view the bay’s waterfronts; select routes extend across Little Traverse Bay toward Petoskey, Bay Harbor, and Charlevoix. Advanced reservations are recommended.
harborsprings.com/sailboat 

Have news that pertains to Michigan’s natural resources, travel, or exploration? Send a note to MSwoyer@Hour-Media.com.