ALPENA — First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation awarded a $2,000 grant to the Michigan Brown Trout Festival as one of their third quarter grant recipients. The $2,000 will be used to restock brown trout into Thunder Bay.

The brown trout restocking program has been spearheaded and run by Tim Wieczorkowski after the DNR discontinued restocking them into Thunder Bay in 2010. Wieczorkowski, an avid fisherman who understands the value that the species brings to the local economy, approached the DNR to obtain a permit that would allow him to plant brown trout. Before being issued a permit, the DNR required him to overcome the major hurdles that were preventing their restocking efforts from being successful. These obstacles included birds of prey, evasive species, predator fish, collapse of bait, and the overfishing in areas where the newly planted brown trout tended to congregate.

To overcome these challenges, Wieczorkowski has been actively educating the public as to the importance of brown trout in our local waters and how each person can help in the success of bringing the numbers back. The cormorant hunt program that had been in effect for a couple years and efforts to decrease invasive species has helped address two of the other hurdles. But, it is his more effective way to plant the fish that is proving to greatly increase their survival rate and increase their population the local waters.

Wieczorkowski first started by increasing the size of the fish the DNR planted, from 4 to 6 inches, to 10 to 12 inches. The larger size makes the fish less likely to become food for larger fish. He then invested in oxygenated tanks that allow him to take the fish out into the bay and away from some of the predator fish that are closer to shore and in the river. Next, he changed the timing of when the fish are planted. He releases them during the fall when there are not as many fishermen on the lake who may catch them. He also only releases during late afternoon and early evenings to allow the freshly planted fish to recover and acclimate overnight to their new environment without the threat of birds of prey. He states that he has had a 100% survival rate when the fish are initially planted and the ongoing survival rate can be seen in the increased number of larger brown trout being caught on the lake and river tributaries.

Though he is passionate to see the program be successful, he continues to work with the DNR to get back involved. The next hurdle that he has been asked to overcome is successfully planting smaller size fish that would be more reflective of what the DNR would plant. This year he decreased the size to 8 to 10 inches and next year his goal is to plant 7- to 9-inch fish.

Wieczorkowski says that this is not a project that he has done on his own and acknowledges the many volunteers and donors who have helped make it successful. The entire operation is staffed by volunteers and all supplies are donated by generous individuals and businesses. All cash donations received go directly to the purchase of fish which he obtains from Cedarbrook Trout Farms in Harrisville. So far, he has raised $12,000 of his $20,000 goal for 2020. Reaching the goal will allow him and his volunteers to plant 5,000 brown trout this year. If you would like more information on this project or to make a donation, please contact Wieczorkowski at 989-595-3198.

Headquartered in Alpena, the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to serving community activities and nonprofit organizations in the Greater Alanson, Cheboygan, Gaylord, Lewiston, Oscoda, Mio, and Alpena areas.

The FFNM Legacy Foundation welcomes your grant application for consideration at its quarterly meeting. Applications are available at https://www.ffnmlegacyfoundation.com.