Sept. 14, 2017

Contact: Aaron Switzer, 231-325-4611, ext. 15 or Elyse Walter, 517-284-5839

DNR announces surplus salmon available to public again this fall

The public again this year is invited to purchase surplus salmon that has been harvested at Michigan Department of Natural Resources weirs located in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Seasonal salmon runs include large numbers of fish returning to their native streams to spawn and die. The DNR maintains multiple sites (weirs) where fisheries biologists and technicians collect eggs and milt (sperm) from Chinook and coho salmon for use in state fish hatcheries. Once egg-take needs are met, fish in prime physical condition are made available to the public by American-Canadian Fisheries, a private vendor which assists the DNR with the salmon harvest.

ACF harvests the salmon for human and pet-food markets, as well as excess eggs for bait and caviar markets. ACF pays the DNR a flat per-pound rate for the salmon and eggs collected. They then make suitable-quality fish available wholesale to distributors who market the fish. All of this year’s distributors are located in the northern Lower Peninsula.

"We work closely with ACF to maintain a professional approach to dealing with the returning salmon and to ensure the harvest is done in the most environmentally friendly way," said Aaron Switzer, the DNR’s northern Lower Peninsula hatchery manager. "The number of fish returning to our rivers is large enough that the DNR needs the assistance of private partners like ACF to help in this area of fishery management."

The price of the available fish is set by each individual retailer, not the DNR. The DNR recommends that those who are interested in purchasing salmon contact the respective vendors (listed below) directly to determine when a purchase can be made and for how much.

The Michigan Department of Community Health recommends using caution when eating certain kinds and sizes of fish from Michigan lakes and streams. For current advisories, the Eat Safe Fish Guide should be consulted. It is available online at michigan.gov/eatsafefish or by contacting MDCH at 1-800-648-6942.

Here is the list of Michigan retailers this year selling salmon harvested at DNR weirs:

• Andy’s Tackle Box
  14573 Coates Highway 
  Brethren, MI 49619
  231-477-5737
• AuSable River Store
  680 W. River Road
  Oscoda, MI 48750
  989-739-5332
• Hank and Sons
  16441 Coates Highway
  Brethren, MI 49609
  231-477-5450
• Lixie’s Fish Market
  2699 Lixie Beach
  East Tawas, MI 48060
  989-362-5791
• Pappy’s Bait & Tackle
  17092 Caberfae Highway
  Wellston, MI 49689
  231-848-4142
• R & J Resort
  3070 Keith Road
  Brethren, MI 49619
  231-477-5549
• Tippy Dam Campground
  17974 Old House Road
  Wellston, MI 49689
  231-848-4448
• Wellman’s Bait & Tackle
  410 S. State St. #309
  Oscoda, MI 48750
  989-739-2869

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.