Michigan stocks Huron River, Spring Mill Pond with trout, but issues do not eat warning

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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Anglers can begin fishing the Huron River and Spring Mill Pond at the Proud Lake and Island Lake recreation area beginning Saturday.

As a bonus, Michigan Department of Natural Resources said, these waterbodies have been freshly stocked with about 3,000 brown and rainbow trout from the state's fish hatcheries. Just remember to heed the restrictions, but also there's a health warning: You may not want to eat the fish in the Huron River.

Touching them or the water is safe.

Michigan DNR Fisheries hatchery staff release adult broodstock trout into the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area.
Michigan DNR Fisheries hatchery staff release adult broodstock trout into the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area.

But a do-not-eat advisory has been issued for fish caught in the river from North Wixom Road downstream to where the river crosses I-275 in Wayne County. The advisory comes as a result of elevated synthetic organofluoride chemical compounds — more commonly known as PFAS — that are used in consumer products worldwide.

Spring Mill Pond in Brighton is not connected to the Huron River and is not affected by the consumption advisory.

What is the danger?

The main source of the PFAS, the DNR said, has been tied to the contamination in Norton Creek, which has been addressed, but the advisory is still in place because the PFAS levels in many fish — which have been linked to liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer — remain high.

Other do-not-eat areas in Oakland County are: Norton Creek, Hubbell Pond, also known as Mill Pond, and Kent Lake. In Livingston County: Gallagher, Loon, Ore, Strawberry, Whitewood and Zukey lakes. Along the Livingston and Washtenaw County line: Base Line and Portage lakes.

In Washtenaw County: Argo, Barton and Geddes ponds and Ford Lake. And in Wayne County: Belleville Lake.

Fishing restrictions

The Huron River: From Saturday through April 28, anglers here are limited to flies only, catch-and-release fishing. But here is an exception: Children younger than 12 may keep one trout between 8 and 12 inches long. Fishing is prohibited from Oct. 1 through March 31.

The river, downstream of the Proud Lake Dam, in Oakland County, was stocked with about 1,200 brown trout and 1,200 rainbow trout, all ranging in sizes from 14-19 inches.

Spring Mill Pond: From Saturday through April 28, anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch-and-release fishing. The area is closed to fishing March 15 through March 31. The pond received about 220 brown trout and 400 rainbow trout, also ranging in size from 14-19 inches.

In both waterbodies: Beginning April 29, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five trout longer than 8 inches, and three longer than 15 inches. The DNR also stocked a total of 1,550 yearling rainbow trout at both sites, 900 in the Huron River and 650 in Spring Mill Pond.

The DNR also warned that young fish, at first, many be smaller than the minimum 8-inch size limit.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Huron River, Spring Pond stocked with fresh fish for trout season