HUNT CREEK FISHERIES EXPERIMENTAL AREA 
OBJECTIVE — The Hunt Creek Fisheries Experiment Station was established in 1939 as a year-round testing ground 
and outdoor research laboratory where trained biologists might study brook trout and the effects of angling on a 
typical brook trout stream. The Hunt Creek drainage was cnosen because of availability of state-owned stream 
frcMitage and also because of the variety of brook trout habitats present in the area. 
State ownership has made possible various experimental restrictions and management procedures not otherwise feasi¬ 
ble . 
The purpose of the investigations is to find out by observation or by controlled experiments what methods of stream 
management will increase the quality of the brook trout angling and also preserve the species for the enjoyment of 
future anglers. 
THE ANGLERS» PART IN OUR RESEARCH — The best measure of an experimental procedure in trout stream management is 
how it affects the anglers' catch. Therefore, registration of anglers and collection of creel census records con¬ 
stitute an important part of the work each year. Such records provide a measure of the effects of changes in size 
and creel limits, and, in connection with marking experiments and year-round population estimates, reveal origin 
and movements of trout within the system. Creel census records compared with population estimates correspond to 
sales records compared with production schedules in industry. 
RESEARCH HERE DURING THE UST TEN YEARS — has indicated that: 
(1) Natural reproduction is more than adequate in Hunt Creek; 
(2} Fall plantings of hatchery-reared brook trout finger lings contribute less than 3% to the anglers’ 
catches in subsequent years; 
(3) Stream improvement, properly carried out, can improve the quality of angling. 
(4) Tributary streams are not an important source of adult fish for main stream angling; 
(5) In the proper type of lake good brook trout fishing can be created by the elimination of rough fish 
populations. 
Some of the other accomplishments of the station include detailed food studies of the brook trout by Dr. J. W. 
Leonard, who also identified new species of trout stream insects not previously described; an exhaustive study of 
the use of brook trout scales in age and growth studies of Michigan brook trout by Dr. E. L. Cooper; and the 
development by the past and present staff of the electric shocker as a substitute for seines in trout population 
investigations. 
CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS — include further study of brook trout movements in the main stream through the use of the 
recently-installed upper and lower screens, detailed year-round population studies on the brook trout population 
between these traps, trout lake and beaver pond population studies by means of netting, marking and recovery, and 
investigations of the effect of beaver dams on the fishing in dammed portions of trout streams. 
REGULATIONS Except for about 1,300 feet of stream in Section C of Hunt Creek, all the waters on the map on the 
reverse of this sheet are open to angling. The posted waters, marked by Departmental signs, are open to angling 
under the following restrictions set oy tne Conservation Commission: 
(1) Each angler must first obtain at the checking station a daily free-use permit before fishing. 
(2) Each angler must report the results of his fishing at the checking station on conclusion of his angling. 
(3) Special regulations are to be observed in certain waters and such waters will be posted with appropriate 
signs. Otnerwise the usual regulations for other waters of the state are in effect on the Hunt Creek 
Area. 
SUMMARY, ANGLING STATISTICS, EXPERIMENTAL SECTIONS, HUNT CREEK, 1939-1949 
YEAR 
1939 
19^ 
1941 
1942 
1943 
1944 
1945 
1946 
1947 
1948 
1949 
Total Angler-Days. 
Total Hours-Fished. 
Legal Brook Trout Taken. 
Total Pounds Removed.... 
Catch Per Hour. 
Average Total Length.... 
438 
780 
492 
67 
0.63 
7.5 
505 
901 
406 
60 
0.45 
7.6 
1.015 
1.546 
722 
1 16 
0.47 
7.7 
800 
1.267 
543 
83 
0.43 
7.6 
311 
540 
378 
59 
0.70 
7.5 
340 
640 
364 
53 
0.57 
7.7 
375 
637 
315 
52 
0.49 
7.9 
753 
1.206 
439 
68 
0.36 
7.7 
607 
872 
187 
26 
0.21 
7.6 
504 
869 
492 
78 
0.57 
7.7 
593 
1.415 
698 
11 5 
0.49 
7.8 
SUMMARY, ANGLING STATISTICS, EAST FISH UKE, 1939-1949 
1 
YEAR 
1939 
1940 
1941 
1942 
1943 
1944 
1945 
1946 
1947 
1948 
1949 
Total Angler-Days. 
63 
111 
155 
1 59 
121 
311 
436 
430 
344 
287 
283 
Total Hours Fished. 
126 
308 
386 
289 
200 
651 
9 28 
935 
71 1 
853 
1 .024 
Legal Brook Trout Taken. 
51 
172 
242 
367 
69 
108 
169 
93 
89 
1 17 
91 
Total Pounds Removed.... 
• • 
28 
47 
97 
26 
79 
131 
69 
54 
55 
70 
Catch Per Hour. 
0.41 
0.56 
0.63 
1.26 
0.29 
0.17 
0.18 
0.10 
0 . 13 
0 . 14 
0.09 
Average Total Length.... 
« • 
8.0 
8.5 
9.0 
9.3 
11 .2 
11.9 
11.5 
11.1 
10.4 
1 1 .6 
