Decision support tools for Michigan's inland waters

In 2002, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division initiated a statewide Status and Trends Program (STP) for inland lakes and streams.  The STP employs a stratified-random sampling design to deliver a statistically robust inventory of all inland waters, and targeted index sampling to provide high-resolution data for tracking key fish populations in streams.  A key missing component of the STP has been development of tools that enable use of these statewide data to support of local fisheries management.  We used STP survey data and water classification databases to develop decision support tools for fishery managers.  We joined STP random survey and water classification databases to define typical values and ranges of variation, at local and statewide scales, of fish species abundance and site-scale habitat parameters.  Our population dynamics web page uses stream index sampling data to show temporal changes in abundance, growth, and survival of key fish populations, and allows biologists to assess whether trends relate to local or regional phenomena.  With fish abundance and habitat benchmarks for different types of waters, and knowledge of whether populations in the region are at relatively high or low levels, managers are better equipped to diagnose waters and justify management decisions.