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Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTOS: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email – robin, walleye, brush pile and state park volunteers – are available in the DNR's online image collection. Others (Lake Char, lumberjack run) are available in this folder.
Join the crew of the R/V Lake Char on a one-week research expedition on Lake Superior, courtesy of a short film that follows the DNR fisheries research vessel to Klondike Reef. The crew collected data on lake trout, an important native species in this Great Lake. Trout numbers have recently met recovery goals after disruption due to invasive species, pollution and overharvest.
You’ll learn about the crew’s roles, the fish sampling process, and why this research is important for managing Michigan's fisheries. Fun fact: It was on this expedition that the oldest lake trout in the Great Lakes – 62 years old at the time of capture – was discovered!
“Some of the information we can apply to other offshore locations – places like Stannard Rock, Isle Royale and Big Reef – where we don’t know a lot about the fish, but the fish in areas like Klondike Reef might be similar,” said DNR fisheries technician Dan Traynor. “What we learned by studying the fish here may help us better understand and manage fish in those other offshore reef locations.”
Questions about the expedition? Email Shawn Sitar, research biologist who was the DNR lead for this project, at SitarS@Michigan.gov.
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The DNR offers a variety of opportunities to learn about and enjoy Michigan’s outdoors. Following are a few March highlights; for a full list of events, see Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.
Walleye, steelhead fishing classes
If you’re interested in trying something new outdoors or brushing up on a pastime you already enjoy, check out the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy’s upcoming classes. They offer expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities.
March classes include:
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Walleye Fishing Clinic in Detroit
Tuesday, March 10, 6 to 8 p.m. (virtual)
Saturday, March 14, 3 to 7 p.m. (in person/fishing) at the Outdoor Adventure Center
The walleye run in Lake Erie and the Detroit River is known worldwide. Participants will learn about equipment selection, pole set-up, techniques for shore fishing, and rules and regulations.
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Walleye Fishing Clinic in Cadillac
Sunday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mitchell State Park
This comprehensive seminar walks you through exactly how professional anglers approach a full day on the water – from launch to landing fish. Whether you fish from a boat or from shore, this class will help you develop a clear game plan for every season.
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Steelhead Fishing Clinic in Cadillac
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mitchell State Park
Sunday, March 29, 8 to 10 a.m. or 10 a.m. to noon sessions on the Manistee River
Whether you’re brand new to steelheading or looking to fine-tune your skills, this two-day experience will show you proven tactics, gear setups and river strategies that will increase your success this season.
An additional steelhead fishing class is scheduled in April. The rest of the year brings opportunities to learn about wild mushrooms, elk and waterfowl hunting, and more. See a full schedule of classes – with more being added throughout the year – at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.
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Lumberjack Days and more at the Outdoor Adventure Center
If you live in, or your travels take you to, southeast Michigan, you can find a variety of fun and educational programs for all ages at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit. The March Outdoor Adventure Center activity schedule features programs (many especially for seniors, kids and families) on archery, yoga, birding and more.
Don’t miss the OAC’s annual Lumberjack Days celebration, March 26-29, which includes:
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Educational Tables and Visiting Partners
Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Explore hands-on educational tables all four days and visit with our partners in forestry, environmental education and recreation on Friday and Saturday.
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Plaid Tie Dinner
Friday, March 27, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy a strolling dinner catered by the Mushroom Conservatory, a bonfire, ax throwing and more. Don’t forget to wear your fancy flannel!
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Lumberjack Pancake Run and Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Run or walk the Silver Dollar Mile or Flapjack 5K and refuel afterward at the Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast. You'll get a custom medal, lumberjack buff and complimentary admission to the Outdoor Adventure Center. Prizes for Best Beard and Best Dressed Lumberjack!
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Spots are filling quickly for April's Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K, the annual event supporting tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks.
Now in its seventh year and with 18 states represented, this growing Bob Ross-inspired program is expected to have 14,000 participants in 2026. Here in Michigan, two in-person events are planned for anyone wanting to meet up and log their miles with fellow nature lovers.
“Run for the Trees continues to expand, which is incredibly exciting,” said Michelle O’Kelly, race director and fund developer for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “We’re so happy to welcome five new states this year: Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Vermont.”
When signing up, participants pick their state to represent. Registration closes April 1 – or earlier if the 14,000-participant cap is reached – to ensure timely shipping of race T-shirts, bibs and finisher medals.
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Registrants pick their pace and place, anywhere outdoors, during the nine-day window that includes both Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 24). The two in-person gatherings in Michigan include:
“We encourage those who have registered to bring their family and friends to one of these in-person gatherings to run, walk or roll together,” O’Kelly said. “It’s an excellent chance to get outside and enjoy spring while also celebrating our love of trees. We’re so happy to have these opportunities to make this virtual event an in-person experience in a couple of areas of the state.”
Learn more and register for the event at Runsignup.com/bobross5k
Questions? Contact Michelle O’Kelly at 517-899-5211.
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Each month, the DNR offers a variety of opportunities to help take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Here are a few ways to get involved in March.
For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
Improve state forest wildlife habitat 'On the Ground'
Join On the Ground – Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR – to build brush piles on state forest land in Kalkaska County Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers will meet in the DNR Traverse City Forest Management Unit to work on removing woody brush from a savanna habitat to create brush piles for small game and treating unwanted vegetation to prevent regrowth. Lunch and a free appreciation gift will be provided to all registered volunteers.
Get more details and register for March 28 On the Ground event.
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Stay engaged with Natural Resources Commission
The DNR is now livestreaming all Michigan Natural Resources Commission meetings to make it easier for the public to learn about the work of the commission and stay up to date on topics of interest. The meetings are livestreamed via Zoom webinar. You do not need to have Zoom installed on your computer or mobile device to watch.
NRC meetings take place monthly throughout the year. The commission is a seven-member public body that has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sport fish and is authorized to designate game species in Michigan.
Livestream details and a draft meeting agenda will be posted to the commission webpage at Michigan.gov/NRC closer to the meeting date.
Help fight invasives at state parks
Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems.
Workdays will take place at:
- Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 22.
- Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7.
- Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 14.
- Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21
- Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21.
- Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
- Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28.
More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar.
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 See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Karen Allmond, for the Michigan DNR, at Algonac State Park in St. Clair County.)
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