Atlas Twp.- Stocking the Kearsley Creek with brown trout a spring tradition just prior to the April 28 opening day may be in jeopardy if private property owners along the creek and fisherman don’t find common ground.
That’s the message from Joe Leonardi, fisheries biologist for the DNR, Southern Lake Huron unit for the past 23 years.
‘The tough part of Kearsley Creek in northern Oakland and southern Genesee counties is there’s not a lot of public access,? said Leonardi. ‘You need to get land owner permission before you fish, ask in advance too, not the day you decide to go fishing. We have a lot of land owners that complain.?
‘Kearsley Creek is marginal trout stream,? said Leonardi. ‘Less than 40 percent of these fish will reach the legal size of 8 inches’many will end up pike food when the make it the Goodrich Mill Pond.?
While the Kearsley Creek may lack the prestige on northern Michigan trout waters Leonardi said that it’s important that local trout habitat is maintained in the Clinton River Watershed.
‘It’s the only trout water we have left in Genesee County. As long as I can justify the trout plant it will continue. But, if private owners are not allowing some of the public to fish things may change. I’m not here just for the private land owners, everyone should fish if they want to.?
‘I’m concerned about the future of Kearsley Creek.?
Leonardi said access points around the Brandon schools, along with public access sites in Ortonville provides enough public access sites to justify stocking the Creek with trout each spring. At a cost of about $3,000 the DNR plants about 5,000 brown trout ranging in size from 7 inches to about 7 1/2 inches in the Kearsley Creek each year, he added. Several planting locations from bridges have been selected between Oakwood and Henderson roads.