September 2014

• The Nitrogen Cycle and Your SIC Tank
• Sponge Filters: What You Need to Know
• How many salmon were released as part of the SIC program in the spring of 2014?
• FREE Field Trip Opportunities to Complement Your Participation in SIC
• New Teachers: Attend a Salmon in the Classroom Teacher Workshop
• Apply for your Scientific Collector's Permit, remember your Stocking Report
• 2014 Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA) Conference Comes to Traverse City
• Need a Refresher? Watch these how-to videos
• How and when to pick up your eggs
• Contact Us

The Nitrogen Cycle and Your SIC Tank

Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle and how it operates in a closed system like your aquarium is key to success in the SIC program. A comprehensive guide, “The Nitrogen Cycle: Achieving a Balanced Aquarium for Salmon Success” was developed this summer by Heather Burke, a senior in Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University and staff member at Preuss Pets of Lansing.  While interning at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center this summer, Heather worked tirelessly to develop a guide that was simple and easy to understand but also offered the necessary details to help teachers succeed. The guide provides information on, but is not limited to, the following; beneficial bacteria in an aquarium, the importance of cycling, overview of ammonia, alkalinity, pH and water hardness, as well as a new guide to required and optional equipment.  Be sure to take a few moments to check out this very informative guide.   Thanks Heather for doing a great job!  Read the Nitrogen Cycle: Achieving a Balanced Aquarium for Salmon Success.

Sponge Filters: What You Need to Know

We highly recommended that SIC teachers use a secondary internal filter called a sponge filter.  This large, air-driven sponge has ample surface area in its porous material for beneficial bacteria to grow on.  The bacteria are important to help maintain balance in your aquarium.  Not readily available at most pet stores already cultured, Preuss Pets of Lansing has agreed to provide these (for a nominal charge) to SIC teachers and will mail them directly to your school.  Take advantage of this and call Preuss Pets today to get yours!  Detailed information on sponge filters is available in the new Equipment Guide. Contact Preuss Pets today at 517-339-1762 or fish@preusspets.com

How many salmon were released as part of the SIC program in the spring of 2014?

The following represents data as of August 20, 2014 for 130 releases, approximately 2/3 of all SIC schools. 

Total Smolts Released                                    10,787
Average Size                                                  3.5 inches

Bodies of Water Used as Release Sites           44

Body of Water with the Most Releases             Grand River
County with the Most Releases                        Kent County

FREE Field Trip Opportunities to Complement Your Participation in SIC

Interactive, engaging and hands-on field trips are available to you and your students this fall:

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery: 
September – mid-November, 2014. 
For more information, contact Shana Ramsey at ramseys2@michigan.gov 

Little Manistee Weir: 
Currently scheduled for October 6 – 9, 2014. 
For more information, contact Shana Ramsey at ramseys2@michigan.gov 

Boardman River Weir: 
Mid- September through mid-October. 
Contact Ed Shaw shawe@michigan.gov or Heather Hettinger at hettingerh@michigan.gov 

Platte River Hatchery: 
Typically the 3rd week of October. 
Contact Ed Shaw at shawe@michigan.gov 

New Teachers: Attend a Salmon in the Classroom Teacher Workshop

Teacher Workshops are mandatory for new teachers but returning teachers and sponsors are welcome (and encouraged) to attend too.

Pre-registration is required to attend either workshop. 

Please contact Natalie Elkins at elkinsn@michigan.gov no later than one week prior to the workshop to register with your preferred date and location.

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, Mattawan (west of Kalamazoo) 
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Platte River State Fish Hatchery, Beulah (south of Traverse City) 
Thursday, November 6, 2014
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Marquette State Fish Hatchery, Marquette
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Apply for your Scientific Collector's Permit, remember your Stocking Report

New Teachers

1. Apply online. For instructions go to the following link: www.michigan.gov/scientificcollectorspermit
2. Permits will be distributed at the mandatory Teacher Workshop

Returning Teachers

1. If you submitted your Stocking Report in the spring of 2014, you will receive your Scientific Collector’s Permit in late September
2. If you did not submit your Stocking Report in the spring of 2014 you will not be automatically re-enrolled in the SIC program and you will not receive Scientific Collector’s Permit until you submit your Stocking Report to Polly Gray at grayp@michigan.gov 

Not sure if you sent in your Stocking Report? Contact Polly.

Need to send in your Stocking Report? Contact Polly.

Have additional questions about the Stocking Report? Contact Polly. 

Stocking Permit/Stocking Report--New & Returning Teachers

Stocking Permits and Reports will be available to teachers in the spring 2015 edition of Salmon Sense. They will NOT be mailed to you. 

2014 Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA) Conference Comes to Traverse City

Join us at the 2014 Aquatic Resources Education Conference, The Headwaters: Improving Aquatic Education at its Source, in Traverse City, Michigan from October 26 - 30, 2014 at the Park Place Hotel.  The conference is designed for representatives of state, federal industry, fisheries and education professionals and dedicated volunteers involved in aquatic resource education programs. A strong mixture of professional presentations by aquatic educators along with aquatic resource outdoor learning sessions will better prepare any educator who works with angling or aquatic stewardship programs.  So be sure to register for the 2014 AREA conference and enjoy a professional conference nestled in the greatest freshwater ecosystem in the world. Make new contacts, rekindle old networks and catch the late autumn of Pure Michigan. www.michigan.gov/area

Need a Refresher? Watch these how-to videos

• Equipment
• Tank Set-Up
• Acclimating Your Salmon Eggs to Your Tank
• Proper Feeding
• Tank Maintenance

View all of the above videos at www.michigan.gov/sic

How and when to pick up your eggs

All dates are subject to change based on fish behavior and egg availability.

What to Bring

1. Scientific Collector’s Permit (Think of it like your ticket to the game~ you can’t get into the stadium without your ticket; you can’t get your eggs without your permit either!)
   - Returning Teachers will receive this in the mail at the end of September
   - New Teachers will receive this at the Teacher Workshop
2. Clean Cooler (lunchbox size is sufficient)
3. Small Container with a Lid (large enough to hold a quart-sized plastic bag filled with water)
4. Ice (to keep the eggs cool during transportation back to your school)

Fish Food

• You will receive a pre-measured allotment of fish food pellets when you pick up your eggs. 
• If you have any food leftover from last year, please discard it and use the new food that is provided for you.

GREEN EGGS (Returning teachers only)

Little Manistee Weir, Manistee
Scott Heintzelman, Fisheries Technician Supervisor 
(231) 389-2551
Heintzelmans@michigan.gov 
October 6 – 9, 2014
Call or email for specific details.

Swan River Weir, Rogers City
Pat Vandaele, Fisheries Technician Supervisor 
(989) 732-3541
vandaelep@michigan.gov
Call or email for specific details.

EYED EGGS (First year teachers will receive eggs at the end of their workshop.)

Southeast Michigan Egg Drop Off 
Pre-registration is required. 
Please contact Shana Ramsey no later than Friday, October 31, 2014 via email at ramseys2@michigan.gov to reserve your allotment of eggs for pick up at this location. 
12 pm to 4 pm 
Location: Moose Tree Nature Preserve (With many thanks!!!)
3191 West Clarkston Road
Lake Orion, MI 48362 

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, Mattawan
(No pre-scheduled appointment is necessary)
Shana Ramsey, Hatchery Interpreter
ramseys2@michigan.gov 
November 3 – 8, 2014
Weekdays 8 am to 3:30 pm 
Saturday 10 am to 2 pm

Platte River State Fish Hatchery, Beulah
(No pre-scheduled appointment is necessary)
Aaron Switzer, Hatchery Biologist
switzera1@michigan.gov
November 6 - 7
8 am to 3:30 pm  

Marquette State Fish Hatchery, Marquette
Randy Espinoza, Hatchery Biologist
(906) 341-5587 x201
espinozar@michigan.gov
November 12, 2014 - must contact Randy in advance to order your eggs and make your pick-up appointment. 

Thompson State Fish Hatchery, Manistique
Randy Espinoza, Hatchery Biologist
(906) 341-5587 x201
espinozar@michigan.gov
November 12 – 23, 2014
8 am to 3 pm weekdays - no appointment necessary
8 am to 2:30 pm weekends and November 15 - call or email to make appointment

Contact Us

Natalie Elkins
Program or admittance questions
elkinsn@michigan.gov
517-284-6041

Shana Ramsey
Fish, tank or release questions--Southern Michigan
ramseys2@michigan.gov
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
269-668-2876

Craig Kasmer
Fish, tank or release questions – Northern Michigan
kasmerc@michigan.gov
Hartwick Pines State Park
989-348-2537