(Ed. Note: This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.)
By Kelly House
Bridge Michigan
As lake whitefish teeter on the brink of collapse in the lower Great Lakes, Michigan lawmakers are considering investing in a last-ditch effort to save the iconic species before it’s too late.
An appropriations bill under consideration in the Democrat-controlled state Senate would allocate money to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a rearing and stocking program aimed at “supporting lake whitefish stock recovery.”
The line item includes a $100 allocation, which state Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, described as a placeholder number pending further deliberations about how much money — if any — to devote to the effort.
“It could potentially be now or never for some of those genetic stocks,” Cherry said, noting that some whitefish bloodlines in lakes Michigan and Huron could vanish within years.
Budget deliberations are in their early phases and proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican-led House of Representatives do not include funding for whitefish.
State Reps. Ken Borton and Ann Bollin, who lead committees overseeing the DNR budget in the House, did not return calls from Bridge Michigan seeking comment.
The House approved a $76 billion budget last month that would cut DNR funding by $36.3 million. Whitmer’s budget proposal would increase DNR funding by $63.5 million.
The Senate could pass its version as soon as this week, setting up further negotiations as the two chambers face a September deadline to pass a unified budget.
The funding effort follows extensive reporting on the whitefish collapse in Bridge Michigan over the past year.
“Quite frankly, your guys’s reporting was helpful in highlighting the issue,” Cherry told Bridge. “Otherwise, I think a lot of folks wouldn’t be aware of it.”
The fish are a revered symbol of the Great Lakes and the No. 1 commercial catch for what remains of the region’s once-robust commercial fishery.
Ecosystem changes wrought by invasive quagga and zebra mussels have transformed the Great Lakes, devastating whitefish populations and prompting fears that the species could virtually disappear from lakes Michigan and Huron.
The mussel invasion is considered among the biggest threats to the Great Lakes in history.
Yet Bridge found that, while the US government has spent mightily to combat other threats, the fight against mussels has received a comparative pittance: less than $1 million annually, or about a penny for every dollar devoted to guarding the Great Lakes against invasive carp.
In the wake of that reporting, U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell and Tim Walberg cosponsored legislation that aims to devote $500 million to mussel control research over the next decade.
State funding for whitefish recovery is likewise limited amid budget constraints and a DNR funding structure that prioritizes game species like salmon and trout ahead of primarily commercial species like whitefish.
At current funding levels, mussel control research may take decades to achieve a breakthrough. The lower lakes’ whitefish “don’t have the time to wait,” said DNR fisheries chief Randy Claramunt.
So tribal, state, federal and university officials have been discussing ways to raise whitefish in captivity until the Great Lakes are hospitable enough for them to thrive again.
The effort likely would involve both a hatchery stocking program and an effort to establish captive whitefish populations for future breeding efforts.
“Who has facility space? Who can do something if funding is available? What could we do without having to build a new facility?” Claramunt said. “That’s what we’re all looking at right now as a stopgap measure to buy us time before we lose some of these stocks.”
There are 18 genetically distinct whitefish populations in lakes Michigan and Huron, 14 of which are considered imperiled.
“The other four that were considered stable are now at risk of declining,” Claramunt said.
That includes stocks in Green Bay, which was once considered a rare stronghold for Great Lakes whitefish.
So far, most recovery efforts have been small-scale, led by tribal natural resources agencies with limited budgets and staff. But as stocks have dwindled, whitefish advocates have increasingly pushed for bigger, bolder rescue efforts.
For each population rescued, Claramunt said, it would cost between $200,000 and $300,000 annually to collect spawning fish from the lakes, raise their offspring for stocking efforts, and hold some adults in captivity for future breeding.
The DNR may have space in its hatchery facilities to rescue up to three populations, Claramunt said. It’s possible other tribal, government or university agencies could lend more space.
“We’re concerned that a genetic rescue is necessary, and if we don’t do it as soon as possible … that these stocks will be lost,” Claramunt said.
Michigan has a long history of rescuing species under threat, Cherry said, from wild turkeys to moose. It has also had failures, such allowing the passenger pigeon to be hunted to extinction.
“We have an opportunity right now to figure out which direction we want to go,” Cherry said. “The direction of the passenger pigeon, or do we want to go the direction of the turkey?”
By Kelly House
Bridge Michigan
As lake whitefish teeter on the brink of collapse in the lower Great Lakes, Michigan lawmakers are considering investing in a last-ditch effort to save the iconic species before it’s too late.
An appropriations bill under consideration in the Democrat-controlled state Senate would allocate money to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a rearing and stocking program aimed at “supporting lake whitefish stock recovery.”
The line item includes a $100 allocation, which state Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, described as a placeholder number pending further deliberations about how much money — if any — to devote to the effort.
“It could potentially be now or never for some of those genetic stocks,” Cherry said, noting that some whitefish bloodlines in lakes Michigan and Huron could vanish within years.
Budget deliberations are in their early phases and proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican-led House of Representatives do not include funding for whitefish.
State Reps. Ken Borton and Ann Bollin, who lead committees overseeing the DNR budget in the House, did not return calls from Bridge Michigan seeking comment.
The House approved a $76 billion budget last month that would cut DNR funding by $36.3 million. Whitmer’s budget proposal would increase DNR funding by $63.5 million.
The Senate could pass its version as soon as this week, setting up further negotiations as the two chambers face a September deadline to pass a unified budget.
The funding effort follows extensive reporting on the whitefish collapse in Bridge Michigan over the past year.
“Quite frankly, your guys’s reporting was helpful in highlighting the issue,” Cherry told Bridge. “Otherwise, I think a lot of folks wouldn’t be aware of it.”
The fish are a revered symbol of the Great Lakes and the No. 1 commercial catch for what remains of the region’s once-robust commercial fishery.
Ecosystem changes wrought by invasive quagga and zebra mussels have transformed the Great Lakes, devastating whitefish populations and prompting fears that the species could virtually disappear from lakes Michigan and Huron.
The mussel invasion is considered among the biggest threats to the Great Lakes in history.
Yet Bridge found that, while the US government has spent mightily to combat other threats, the fight against mussels has received a comparative pittance: less than $1 million annually, or about a penny for every dollar devoted to guarding the Great Lakes against invasive carp.
In the wake of that reporting, U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell and Tim Walberg cosponsored legislation that aims to devote $500 million to mussel control research over the next decade.
State funding for whitefish recovery is likewise limited amid budget constraints and a DNR funding structure that prioritizes game species like salmon and trout ahead of primarily commercial species like whitefish.
At current funding levels, mussel control research may take decades to achieve a breakthrough. The lower lakes’ whitefish “don’t have the time to wait,” said DNR fisheries chief Randy Claramunt.
So tribal, state, federal and university officials have been discussing ways to raise whitefish in captivity until the Great Lakes are hospitable enough for them to thrive again.
The effort likely would involve both a hatchery stocking program and an effort to establish captive whitefish populations for future breeding efforts.
“Who has facility space? Who can do something if funding is available? What could we do without having to build a new facility?” Claramunt said. “That’s what we’re all looking at right now as a stopgap measure to buy us time before we lose some of these stocks.”
There are 18 genetically distinct whitefish populations in lakes Michigan and Huron, 14 of which are considered imperiled.
“The other four that were considered stable are now at risk of declining,” Claramunt said.
That includes stocks in Green Bay, which was once considered a rare stronghold for Great Lakes whitefish.
So far, most recovery efforts have been small-scale, led by tribal natural resources agencies with limited budgets and staff. But as stocks have dwindled, whitefish advocates have increasingly pushed for bigger, bolder rescue efforts.
For each population rescued, Claramunt said, it would cost between $200,000 and $300,000 annually to collect spawning fish from the lakes, raise their offspring for stocking efforts, and hold some adults in captivity for future breeding.
The DNR may have space in its hatchery facilities to rescue up to three populations, Claramunt said. It’s possible other tribal, government or university agencies could lend more space.
“We’re concerned that a genetic rescue is necessary, and if we don’t do it as soon as possible … that these stocks will be lost,” Claramunt said.
Michigan has a long history of rescuing species under threat, Cherry said, from wild turkeys to moose. It has also had failures, such allowing the passenger pigeon to be hunted to extinction.
“We have an opportunity right now to figure out which direction we want to go,” Cherry said. “The direction of the passenger pigeon, or do we want to go the direction of the turkey?”
DNR Fish Stocking Trucks Hit The Road
Fish stocking trucks are hitting the road! It’s a busy season: This time of year, Michigan Department of Natural Resources fish stocking trucks are releasing their prized cargo — trout, salmon, muskie and walleye — at hundreds of lakes and streams statewide.
The DNR accomplishes this work by rearing fish at its six fish production facilities located throughout the state, along with other cooperative rearing facilities, and by maintaining a fleet of 18 specialized fish stocking vehicles.
More than 20 million fish (weighing more than 350 tons) are stocked by the DNR annually. Species stocked include steelhead; Atlantic, Chinook and coho salmon; splake (a hybrid of brook and lake trout) and brown, brook, lake and rainbow trout; muskellunge and walleye. Beginning in mid-March and ending in early June, the DNR fish stocking trucks will travel well over 100,000 miles to stock more than a thousand locations.
Some of the many fish stocked will be salmon that have been implanted with a coded-wire tag or are otherwise marked or tagged. These tags provide useful information on the fishery to fisheries managers. To learn more or report a marked or tagged fish, visit Michigan.gov/TaggedFish.
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Why does the DNR stock fish?
Fish stocking is a valuable tool for fisheries managers. It can be used to provide a range of fishing opportunities, restore ecosystem balance, rehabilitate fish populations in decline, and even reintroduce extirpated (locally extinct) native species. Those goals, in addition to many other factors, such as the current habitat, forage (food), predators and competitors in the waterbody, determine where and why fish are stocked.
According to Jeremiah Blaauw, DNR fish marking and stocking biologist, stocking isn’t the only way the DNR manages Michigan’s extensive fisheries resources.
“In some cases, stocking would be unnecessary or even detrimental to a lake or stream or to fish populations,” Blaauw said. “If a fish population is producing well naturally and in alignment with angling demand and management goals for that species, we don’t stock on top of those wild populations.”
Naturally reproducing fish are adapted to their environment, which can allow them to thrive without supplemental stocking. However, there are instances where the combination of angling pressure and habitat limitations do not allow wild fish to maintain the desired population level on their own. When that occurs, hatchery fish are stocked to supplement natural reproduction.
Visit the DNR’s fish stocking dashboard for information on local fish stocking locations. The dashboard has recently been updated and has a new, more user-friendly interface.
The DNR accomplishes this work by rearing fish at its six fish production facilities located throughout the state, along with other cooperative rearing facilities, and by maintaining a fleet of 18 specialized fish stocking vehicles.
More than 20 million fish (weighing more than 350 tons) are stocked by the DNR annually. Species stocked include steelhead; Atlantic, Chinook and coho salmon; splake (a hybrid of brook and lake trout) and brown, brook, lake and rainbow trout; muskellunge and walleye. Beginning in mid-March and ending in early June, the DNR fish stocking trucks will travel well over 100,000 miles to stock more than a thousand locations.
Some of the many fish stocked will be salmon that have been implanted with a coded-wire tag or are otherwise marked or tagged. These tags provide useful information on the fishery to fisheries managers. To learn more or report a marked or tagged fish, visit Michigan.gov/TaggedFish.
—————
Why does the DNR stock fish?
Fish stocking is a valuable tool for fisheries managers. It can be used to provide a range of fishing opportunities, restore ecosystem balance, rehabilitate fish populations in decline, and even reintroduce extirpated (locally extinct) native species. Those goals, in addition to many other factors, such as the current habitat, forage (food), predators and competitors in the waterbody, determine where and why fish are stocked.
According to Jeremiah Blaauw, DNR fish marking and stocking biologist, stocking isn’t the only way the DNR manages Michigan’s extensive fisheries resources.
“In some cases, stocking would be unnecessary or even detrimental to a lake or stream or to fish populations,” Blaauw said. “If a fish population is producing well naturally and in alignment with angling demand and management goals for that species, we don’t stock on top of those wild populations.”
Naturally reproducing fish are adapted to their environment, which can allow them to thrive without supplemental stocking. However, there are instances where the combination of angling pressure and habitat limitations do not allow wild fish to maintain the desired population level on their own. When that occurs, hatchery fish are stocked to supplement natural reproduction.
Visit the DNR’s fish stocking dashboard for information on local fish stocking locations. The dashboard has recently been updated and has a new, more user-friendly interface.
Fletcher Pond: A Unique Fishery
By Jack Payne
We discussed Hamlin Lake, Houghton Lake, Cadillac, and Lake Mitchell in past articles.
For a total change of pace, anglers should consider Fletcher Pond near Alpena. Fletcher Pond is a unique body of water. This stump field-covered reservoir covers 9,000 acres.
The drawing card for many is the outstanding bass fishing. This is truly a remarkable bass fishery. A one-of-a-kind fishery. You need to look hard to find water that is much deeper than 12 or 14 feet.
And you need a screw loose if you try to run wide open. Oh, I see guys doing it, but you really need to know the lake. I will take things much slower.
Bluegill fishing really grabbed my attention. This lake is chock full of gills. Now, this is not a lake where we catch tons of monster gills. In some seasons, we do extremely well with our keepers.
Some anglers use a pop can or a dollar bill as an indicator of a keeper. Folks, those two items average closer to 6 1/4 inches. We want nothing less than 7 or 7.5 inches.
Some years we load up on seven-and-a-quarter- to eight-and-a-quarter-inch fish. In other seasons, we struggle to catch an honest seven-inch fish. Just a preface warning.
Fletcher Pond is made for a bobber. Bobbers provide a stealth approach. It keeps your bait exactly where you want it and is snag-resistant. I started using slip floats back when my kids were young. Slip floats are easy to cast and can be fished in any depth.
We use a glow-in-the-dark ice-fishing teardrop tipped with either a wax worm or a piece of a worm. If you want to get fancier, consider the following two ideas.
Cast a one-inch Charlie Brewer Grub on a 1/64-ounce jig head. This petite presentation glides around and over the stumps efficiently. Casting a mini homemade worm harness rig is fun, exciting, and very productive. We tie up our harness rigs with either two size 8 hooks or two size 10 hooks. We space a half-inch apart. This rig is really fun to cast, and yes, on occasion, you will snag up.
Bass rarely disappoints us. Plenty of them and enough 18-to-20-inch fish to keep things exciting. A friend of mine fishes here one week each season. He lands numerous bass over five pounds each vacation. He excels at flipping a jig and a pig.
I love throwing a spinnerbait. I rarely lose a spinner because when we fish shallow water, it's rarely down more than a foot. When we fish the edge of the channel or the one major drop-off or break line, we vary the time we allow the spinner to sink.
My second go-to bass bait would be the Charlie Brewer three-inch grub. We fish this on the original Charlie Brewer jighead. This is a near weedless presentation and works equally well around the stumps and along the river channel.
Each day, we spend some time searching out the crappie. Success varies from day to day. When we find them, we do well. Thus, the reason is a fill-in option.
When fishing, crappies are my first love. There is something magical about casting a small jig and feeling a light tap-tap as a crappie sucks it in. Hands down, my favorite all-time jig is the Brewer Crappie Slider Head and the Brewer Crappie Grub.
With this set-up, you can duplicate almost to the "T" what a swimming minnow looks like. Yellow, Chartreuse, and the Blue Ice with the Chartreuse tail are our favorites. Keep moving until a school is found, and then camp out and work the school.
Fletcher Pond is full of pike. They run from dinky fish to some real nice fish. Only two lures are needed. The bass spinnerbaits and the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon. Tip the spoon with a three-inch action tail from Charlie Brewer.
Jack's Landing is where we stay. They offer both cabins, duplexes, and a campground. They have a dandy tackle shop, and plenty of dock space. And the Speakeasy Tavern is really cool. Remember to stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle Shop before heading north.
We discussed Hamlin Lake, Houghton Lake, Cadillac, and Lake Mitchell in past articles.
For a total change of pace, anglers should consider Fletcher Pond near Alpena. Fletcher Pond is a unique body of water. This stump field-covered reservoir covers 9,000 acres.
The drawing card for many is the outstanding bass fishing. This is truly a remarkable bass fishery. A one-of-a-kind fishery. You need to look hard to find water that is much deeper than 12 or 14 feet.
And you need a screw loose if you try to run wide open. Oh, I see guys doing it, but you really need to know the lake. I will take things much slower.
Bluegill fishing really grabbed my attention. This lake is chock full of gills. Now, this is not a lake where we catch tons of monster gills. In some seasons, we do extremely well with our keepers.
Some anglers use a pop can or a dollar bill as an indicator of a keeper. Folks, those two items average closer to 6 1/4 inches. We want nothing less than 7 or 7.5 inches.
Some years we load up on seven-and-a-quarter- to eight-and-a-quarter-inch fish. In other seasons, we struggle to catch an honest seven-inch fish. Just a preface warning.
Fletcher Pond is made for a bobber. Bobbers provide a stealth approach. It keeps your bait exactly where you want it and is snag-resistant. I started using slip floats back when my kids were young. Slip floats are easy to cast and can be fished in any depth.
We use a glow-in-the-dark ice-fishing teardrop tipped with either a wax worm or a piece of a worm. If you want to get fancier, consider the following two ideas.
Cast a one-inch Charlie Brewer Grub on a 1/64-ounce jig head. This petite presentation glides around and over the stumps efficiently. Casting a mini homemade worm harness rig is fun, exciting, and very productive. We tie up our harness rigs with either two size 8 hooks or two size 10 hooks. We space a half-inch apart. This rig is really fun to cast, and yes, on occasion, you will snag up.
Bass rarely disappoints us. Plenty of them and enough 18-to-20-inch fish to keep things exciting. A friend of mine fishes here one week each season. He lands numerous bass over five pounds each vacation. He excels at flipping a jig and a pig.
I love throwing a spinnerbait. I rarely lose a spinner because when we fish shallow water, it's rarely down more than a foot. When we fish the edge of the channel or the one major drop-off or break line, we vary the time we allow the spinner to sink.
My second go-to bass bait would be the Charlie Brewer three-inch grub. We fish this on the original Charlie Brewer jighead. This is a near weedless presentation and works equally well around the stumps and along the river channel.
Each day, we spend some time searching out the crappie. Success varies from day to day. When we find them, we do well. Thus, the reason is a fill-in option.
When fishing, crappies are my first love. There is something magical about casting a small jig and feeling a light tap-tap as a crappie sucks it in. Hands down, my favorite all-time jig is the Brewer Crappie Slider Head and the Brewer Crappie Grub.
With this set-up, you can duplicate almost to the "T" what a swimming minnow looks like. Yellow, Chartreuse, and the Blue Ice with the Chartreuse tail are our favorites. Keep moving until a school is found, and then camp out and work the school.
Fletcher Pond is full of pike. They run from dinky fish to some real nice fish. Only two lures are needed. The bass spinnerbaits and the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon. Tip the spoon with a three-inch action tail from Charlie Brewer.
Jack's Landing is where we stay. They offer both cabins, duplexes, and a campground. They have a dandy tackle shop, and plenty of dock space. And the Speakeasy Tavern is really cool. Remember to stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle Shop before heading north.
Water Wise Plant Event Saturday
If you are curious about adding native plants to your home landscaping, but don’t know how to start , the perfect opportunity is coming up this Saturday at Countryside Greenhouse in Allendale.
The public is invited to purchase a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees, and learn about their benefits and care at the Water Wise Plants Shop & Learn event. From noon to 4 p.m., experts from the Ottawa Conservation District, Ottawa County Parks and the county’s Be Water Wise team will be in the nursery’s new native plant area to answer questions and offer advice on integrating native plants into residential landscaping.
“Native plants don't just save water – once established, they are low-maintenance too,” county land use planning specialist Marley Wolff said. “With root systems that can go 10 feet deep or more, native plants are a resilient, no-fuss choice for homeowners.”
Can't make it Saturday? The Ottawa Conservation District is hosting two native plant sales later this month:
• May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Holland Board of Public Works, 625 Hastings Ave., Holland
• May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Conservation District office, 16731 Ferris St., Grand Haven
Call 616-738-4852 or email plan@miottawa.org with any questions you may have.
The public is invited to purchase a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees, and learn about their benefits and care at the Water Wise Plants Shop & Learn event. From noon to 4 p.m., experts from the Ottawa Conservation District, Ottawa County Parks and the county’s Be Water Wise team will be in the nursery’s new native plant area to answer questions and offer advice on integrating native plants into residential landscaping.
“Native plants don't just save water – once established, they are low-maintenance too,” county land use planning specialist Marley Wolff said. “With root systems that can go 10 feet deep or more, native plants are a resilient, no-fuss choice for homeowners.”
Can't make it Saturday? The Ottawa Conservation District is hosting two native plant sales later this month:
• May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Holland Board of Public Works, 625 Hastings Ave., Holland
• May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Conservation District office, 16731 Ferris St., Grand Haven
Call 616-738-4852 or email plan@miottawa.org with any questions you may have.
Tips for Container Gardening Success
Container gardens set in garden beds can add vertical interest and color or act as a screen.
MelindaMyers.com
By Melinda Myers
Add color and seasonal interest throughout the landscape with container gardens. Set them in garden beds to add vertical interest, place pots of edible plants on a patio, deck or balcony for convenient picking and include pollinator-friendly plants in containers to attract and support pollinators.
Keep containers looking their best with proper selection, planting and care. As always, select plants suited to the growing conditions and combine those that require the same care and growing conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are more forgiving once established if looking to reduce maintenance.
Consider function as well as beauty when selecting containers. Make sure the container has drainage holes, helping prevent waterlogged soil that can lead to root rot. If the pot lacks drainage holes, try double potting. Place plants in a pot, like a nursery pot with drainage holes. Set this pot on a layer of pebbles in the pot that lacks drainage holes. The pebbles elevate the pot of plants above excess water that may collect. Check throughout the growing season and pour excess water out of the decorative pot as needed.
Fill containers with a quality potting mix that provides adequate drainage yet retains moisture. Every gardener seems to have a favorite or more often struggles to find one that works best for them. Check the label to see what the bag contains and recommendations for its use. Planting mixes usually contain peatmoss, coir and or compost as well as vermiculate, perlite or rice hulls for drainage. Check to see if it is sterilized to kill weed seeds and pests.
Proper watering and fertilization are key to keeping plants alive and healthy. Check the potting mix daily and water thoroughly as needed for the plants growing. Reduce frequency with the help of self-watering containers with water reservoirs that provide water over a longer period. Mulching the soil in containers helps to conserve moisture and irrigation systems with timers make it much easier.
Fertilize planters as needed. A slow-release low nitrogen fertilizer used at planting and again as needed and according to label directions can greatly reduce time spent fertilizing. These fertilizers provide small amounts of nutrients over a longer period. Those who prefer to be a bit more hands-on can use a liquid fertilizer applied regularly throughout the season according to the label directions.
Despite a gardener’s best effort, insects and diseases can impact the health and beauty of planters. Regularly check plants for any signs of insects, their damage and disease. Early intervention makes it easier to manage the problem and helps minimize the damage.
Remove small populations of insects and discolored leaves by hand. Use a garden hose and apply a strong blast of water to help dislodge aphids and mites. Follow this up, if needed, with an organic lightweight horticulture oil like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil (SummitResponsibleSolutions. com). These products kill the insects they contact but won’t harm beneficial insects that land on a plant that has been treated. It is also effective against powdery mildew and certain other diseases. As always, read and follow label directions for the most effective and safest control.
Adjust container garden designs and maintenance to boost their beauty with minimal effort. Then enjoy a growing season of benefits these planters provide.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit Responsible Solutions for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers.com.
Add color and seasonal interest throughout the landscape with container gardens. Set them in garden beds to add vertical interest, place pots of edible plants on a patio, deck or balcony for convenient picking and include pollinator-friendly plants in containers to attract and support pollinators.
Keep containers looking their best with proper selection, planting and care. As always, select plants suited to the growing conditions and combine those that require the same care and growing conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are more forgiving once established if looking to reduce maintenance.
Consider function as well as beauty when selecting containers. Make sure the container has drainage holes, helping prevent waterlogged soil that can lead to root rot. If the pot lacks drainage holes, try double potting. Place plants in a pot, like a nursery pot with drainage holes. Set this pot on a layer of pebbles in the pot that lacks drainage holes. The pebbles elevate the pot of plants above excess water that may collect. Check throughout the growing season and pour excess water out of the decorative pot as needed.
Fill containers with a quality potting mix that provides adequate drainage yet retains moisture. Every gardener seems to have a favorite or more often struggles to find one that works best for them. Check the label to see what the bag contains and recommendations for its use. Planting mixes usually contain peatmoss, coir and or compost as well as vermiculate, perlite or rice hulls for drainage. Check to see if it is sterilized to kill weed seeds and pests.
Proper watering and fertilization are key to keeping plants alive and healthy. Check the potting mix daily and water thoroughly as needed for the plants growing. Reduce frequency with the help of self-watering containers with water reservoirs that provide water over a longer period. Mulching the soil in containers helps to conserve moisture and irrigation systems with timers make it much easier.
Fertilize planters as needed. A slow-release low nitrogen fertilizer used at planting and again as needed and according to label directions can greatly reduce time spent fertilizing. These fertilizers provide small amounts of nutrients over a longer period. Those who prefer to be a bit more hands-on can use a liquid fertilizer applied regularly throughout the season according to the label directions.
Despite a gardener’s best effort, insects and diseases can impact the health and beauty of planters. Regularly check plants for any signs of insects, their damage and disease. Early intervention makes it easier to manage the problem and helps minimize the damage.
Remove small populations of insects and discolored leaves by hand. Use a garden hose and apply a strong blast of water to help dislodge aphids and mites. Follow this up, if needed, with an organic lightweight horticulture oil like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil (SummitResponsibleSolutions. com). These products kill the insects they contact but won’t harm beneficial insects that land on a plant that has been treated. It is also effective against powdery mildew and certain other diseases. As always, read and follow label directions for the most effective and safest control.
Adjust container garden designs and maintenance to boost their beauty with minimal effort. Then enjoy a growing season of benefits these planters provide.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit Responsible Solutions for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers.com.
Applications Open for Elk Hunting; New Regulations in Effect
The application period for Michigan’s elk season is now open, and hunters should be aware of several key changes to the popular hunt.
On April 8, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission voted to establish elk hunting regulations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Those actions include:
• Setting the first elk hunt period in 2026 from Sept. 23 through Oct. 4, a 12-day, contiguous period. Previously, the first hunt period was broken up into three, four-day sessions that began in late August.
• Setting the second hunt period from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15, a 15-day period. Previously, the second hunt period was Dec. 13-21, a nine-day period that was closer to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
• Giving successful elk hunters 72 hours to present the elk head or entire animal for registration as directed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Previously, hunters were required to register the entire elk within 24 hours of harvest.
Brent Rudolph, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose management specialist, said the changes are geared toward hunter convenience and increasing opportunities to harvest an iconic elk.
“For the first hunt period in particular, having a contiguous session that starts later in the season should make it easier for hunters to plan their hunt. The move also provides more favorable conditions and avoids the warm temperatures we’ve experienced during the earlier hunt in recent years,” Rudolph said.
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Reduced bag limits
The NRC also decreased the number of state-issued elk licenses to 200 (compared to 260 offered in prior years) based on a recommendation from DNR personnel to help stabilize the elk herd in the northern Lower Peninsula.
A DNR aerial survey in early 2026 estimated the elk herd at 733 animals with a confidence interval of plus/minus 247, meaning the population could range between about 486 and 980 animals. That estimate generally falls within the DNR’s management goal of 500-900 animals established in the agency’s elk conservation and management plan.
To help keep the herd stabilized, the NRC:
• Kept the elk license quota for the first hunt period at 100, while changing the quota mix. Forty “any-elk” licenses will be issued (an increase of 10), and 60 antlerless-only licenses will be issued (a decrease of 10).
• Decreased the elk license quota for the second hunt period to 100 compared to 160 last year. That includes 30 any-elk licenses (a decrease of 20) and 70 antlerless-only licenses (a decrease of 40).
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Elk applications and drawing
Elk hunting is limited to Michigan residents. Apply for an elk license from May 1-June 1. An application is $5, and each hunter is limited to one application per year.
Purchase an application from any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. The app is available for download at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Find a license agent at Michigan.gov/ DNRLicenseAgents.
Drawing results will be available June 22.
Hunters are selected for an elk license through a weighted chance system. In the annual drawing, the total number of chances is equal to the number of chances an applicant has earned in past drawings (beginning in 2003) plus one chance for their current-year application. Those who are not selected for a license earn one chance for future elk drawings.
There is no guarantee you will ever be drawn for an elk license, regardless of the number of chances accumulated. The weighted selection system provides some advantage to hunters who apply year after year while still providing an opportunity to all applicants, including those applying for the first time.
The number of elk licenses available each year (200 for 2026) is very small compared to the number of expected license applicants (over 47,000).
To learn more about on the elk drawing, watch the “Elk Weighted Lottery System Explained” video at Michigan.gov/Elk.
Visit the DNR’s 2026 elk hunting regulations webpage for more information about the 2026-27 regulations.
On April 8, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission voted to establish elk hunting regulations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Those actions include:
• Setting the first elk hunt period in 2026 from Sept. 23 through Oct. 4, a 12-day, contiguous period. Previously, the first hunt period was broken up into three, four-day sessions that began in late August.
• Setting the second hunt period from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15, a 15-day period. Previously, the second hunt period was Dec. 13-21, a nine-day period that was closer to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
• Giving successful elk hunters 72 hours to present the elk head or entire animal for registration as directed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Previously, hunters were required to register the entire elk within 24 hours of harvest.
Brent Rudolph, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose management specialist, said the changes are geared toward hunter convenience and increasing opportunities to harvest an iconic elk.
“For the first hunt period in particular, having a contiguous session that starts later in the season should make it easier for hunters to plan their hunt. The move also provides more favorable conditions and avoids the warm temperatures we’ve experienced during the earlier hunt in recent years,” Rudolph said.
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Reduced bag limits
The NRC also decreased the number of state-issued elk licenses to 200 (compared to 260 offered in prior years) based on a recommendation from DNR personnel to help stabilize the elk herd in the northern Lower Peninsula.
A DNR aerial survey in early 2026 estimated the elk herd at 733 animals with a confidence interval of plus/minus 247, meaning the population could range between about 486 and 980 animals. That estimate generally falls within the DNR’s management goal of 500-900 animals established in the agency’s elk conservation and management plan.
To help keep the herd stabilized, the NRC:
• Kept the elk license quota for the first hunt period at 100, while changing the quota mix. Forty “any-elk” licenses will be issued (an increase of 10), and 60 antlerless-only licenses will be issued (a decrease of 10).
• Decreased the elk license quota for the second hunt period to 100 compared to 160 last year. That includes 30 any-elk licenses (a decrease of 20) and 70 antlerless-only licenses (a decrease of 40).
—————
Elk applications and drawing
Elk hunting is limited to Michigan residents. Apply for an elk license from May 1-June 1. An application is $5, and each hunter is limited to one application per year.
Purchase an application from any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. The app is available for download at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Find a license agent at Michigan.gov/ DNRLicenseAgents.
Drawing results will be available June 22.
Hunters are selected for an elk license through a weighted chance system. In the annual drawing, the total number of chances is equal to the number of chances an applicant has earned in past drawings (beginning in 2003) plus one chance for their current-year application. Those who are not selected for a license earn one chance for future elk drawings.
There is no guarantee you will ever be drawn for an elk license, regardless of the number of chances accumulated. The weighted selection system provides some advantage to hunters who apply year after year while still providing an opportunity to all applicants, including those applying for the first time.
The number of elk licenses available each year (200 for 2026) is very small compared to the number of expected license applicants (over 47,000).
To learn more about on the elk drawing, watch the “Elk Weighted Lottery System Explained” video at Michigan.gov/Elk.
Visit the DNR’s 2026 elk hunting regulations webpage for more information about the 2026-27 regulations.
