Friends of the Prairie River Newsletter
January 2003
Wednesday January 22nd was our first meeting of the year. The weather was very cold and this was reflected in the small but enthusiastic turn out.
We had two guest speakers, Dan Wendorf of the Merrill Park Department/Project leader of the Prairie Trails and Peter Segerson, habitat specialist with the Wisconsin DNR out of the Antigo DNR office.
Pete gave us an overview of what projects were completed on the Prairie last year and what is scheduled for 2003/2004. There are 11 stream improvement projects scheduled on the Prairie in the next two years, not counting the Prairie Trails. That will push the total stream improvement projects up to 8 miles. Half of these will be completed in 2003 and the remainder in 2004. Pete also suggested that we should bring forth a proposal at this springs conservation congress hearings for a junior fishing license (under age 16, no size limit, 2 bag limit, no gear restrictions) statewide for all trout waters. Pete thinks that this regulation would take away the argument that opponents of special regulations use against them. Ontario and other states have junior licenses and bag limits. Pete also stated that 5000 "wild" fingerling brown trout were released in the Prairie last year. These "wild" browns came from Timber Coulee in southwest WI. They are scheduled to release another 5000 this year.
Dan brought a map of the Prairie Trails Project and gave us some insight as to what the project entails. When it is completed, it will be a showcase for dam removal.
Spring clean-up day will be held on April 26th. There will be a change to the normal clean up format. This year, we will be meeting at 8:30 am at the Dudley Bridge (Corner of Hwy 17 and Cty. Road CCC). First we will be picking up the adopt-a-highway stretch. Then, we will split up into groups and pick up garbage at the major access points. After that, we will return to Hay Meadow Park around 12 or 1pm for brats, burgers and sweet corn!!! After lunch, weather permitting, will be time for fishing!!! Hopefully we don't have a snow storm again this year.
As with all organizations there comes a time when change will occur. Pat Hager, our president for the past 5 years, has decided to step down and become one of our regular members. As one of the founding members of our organization, he has done a splendid job in getting us where we are today. He now feels that it is time to have someone step in with fresh ideas, new leadership and a new commitment. At this time the Friends of the Prairie River will either be appointing a new president or we may try running the organization with our steering committee members. This will be decided at a future meeting. Next time you talk to Pat, thank him for the "job well done" during the past 5 years. If you have any comments or suggestions on this situation you can e-mail me - joe820@aol.com.
The Habitat Paradox - An opinion by Doug Aziz
The good news just keeps on coming for the Prairie. Additional easements have now been secured that will enable habitat improvement to proceed on another substantial segment of the river. An important side benefit is the guaranteed access which will become ever more important as use increases in response to the improvements that are being made.
Currently, the Prairie receives an enormous amount of fishing pressure early in the regular (catch and keep) season. My observation is that large numbers of the brook and brown trout that meet the minimum legal size are removed from the river during that time. Usually the fishing pressure declines about the time the water levels drop and the mosquitoes appear in force.
While it is true that the Prairie is a beautiful river with it's abundance of riffles, pools and runs, habitat work can only make it better. That of course is significant from the human perspective but, what does that mean to it's inhabitants i.e the trout we desire to help??
I believe that improving habitat is a good thing. After all, it is one of the primary reasons for the creation of the Friends of the Prairie River. There is, however, another component we, as a group, should not overlook as we work to leave the river in a better condition than we found it. And, at the risk of stating the obvious, it is the trout, that habitat work is designed to help. One school of thought is; if you take care of the habitat, the rest will take care of itself. I disagree and, I would ask you to reflect on your experiences on the river after the mad rush of the early regular season is over. How many brookies over ten inches and browns over thirteen inches do you encounter after the middle of June and thru July and August? Certainly some very nice trout are caught during that period but, as each week passes it becomes increasingly more difficult to catch such fish. I would suggest it is because a large percentage of them are removed before they live long enough to allow them to attain that next increment of growth another few months in the river would allow. An example of the benefit of enabling such growth occurred on the Prairie in the year immediately after catch and keep fishing was prohibited due to the drought of the late 80's. The average size and abundance of brook and especially brown trout in the river was absolutely phenomenal and, I would venture to say, it was as good as it was in the days when fishing pressure was only a fraction of what it is today. It was a testament to the quality of the habitat and the resilience of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, those high quality fish were harvested quickly and, that circumstance i.e. where the fish were allowed another growing season or two in the stream, has not occurred again.
We still have a high quality resource which we can further enhance by continuing to improve in-stream habitat where it is appropriate but, I don't believe we can expect to optimize the opportunity that improved habitat provides unless we, as a group, strive to secure changes which will allow the fish in the river to attain their maximum growth potential. There, I've said it!!! Quality habitat without corresponding quality of inhabitants smacks the "half a loaf is better than none" view of the world and , I hope Friends of the Prairie is willing to reject that premise and initiate activity that would lead to changes in the regulations which address that aspect of improvement as well.
I don't know what is appropriate; that's something we need to look to the DNR for but, I strongly believe we can do more for the Prairie than alter it's landscape. I'm not against catch and keep. However, I don't believe the Prairie, as productive as it is, can sustain the pressure it does and , reach its full potential as a quality fishery without changes in the regulations that pertain to it. Are we, as an organization, ready to take the next step by striving to improve both the habitat and the size structure of its inhabitants??
Your thoughts?? E-mail Doug at DAziz@wausaumosinee.com
If you want to be added to the Friends of the Prairie River e-mail list send it to joe820@aol.com
The Friends of the Prairie River organization was formed in January 1998 to help maintain its cold, clean waters and esthetic beauty and to benefit Prairie River trout populations and habitat. The Friends\rquote represent those who use the river for recreational purposes, those who live near its banks and all citizens interested in the preservation of the river as a natural resource. The Friends primary purposes are to promote the continued improvement of water quality in the river and to maintain and restore existing habitat and wildlife in the river.