MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
MICHIGAN 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Precipitation was far below normal. The first three months of the 
year were the driest in Michigan's records. April and May remained dry, but 
June was normal. 
Temperatures were slightly above normal in April, close to normal 
in May and below normal in June. Agricultural crops were definitely re- 
tarded because of the dry conditions and numerous late frosts, 
Many ponds and swales were dry, but there is some question whether 
this situation seriously affected duck production because of the numerous 
bodies of permanent water in Michigan. 
Breeding Population Indices 
The potential breeding population compared to the previous years 
were as follows: 
Lineal Miles Potential Breeders 
Year Censused Per Lineal Mile 
19h9 85 6.80 
1950 81 7-91 
1951 120 8.18 
1952 82 7-13 
1954 , 93.5 12.31 
1955 111.2 11.00 
1956 110.5 11.48 
1957 1354 9.30 
1958 121.0 15.00 
Comparisons show the potential breeding population was down 
slightly from that of the last four years but close to the past nine-year 
average. 
The species composition of the potential breeding population as 
determined on these sample check areas and compared to 1957 follows: 
Species 1958 1957 
Mallard 24.6 27.7 
Black Duck 2567 23.7 
Blue-winged Teal 21.0 19.8 
Wood Duck 3.3 4.9 
Ring-necked Duck 11.8 7.0 
Merganser 2.8 0.3 
Goldeneye 1.5 0.5 
Pintail - 0.5 
Unidentified 9.3 9.7 
