dnr article about fish population rebounding in four lakes

Showcasing the DNR: It's a gold rush for fish 
Fish populations are rebounding in the Tittabawassee Impoundments' Four Lakes
By APRIL MOREY, Fish Management Biologist
Southern Lake Huron Management Unit
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Many folks in Michigan remember the dreadful day of May 19, 2020.

Severe weather pushed the Edenville and Sanford dams in Midland and Gladwin counties past their limits, resulting in catastrophic flooding in the area.

These dams, along with Secord and Smallwood dams, on the Tittabawassee and Tobacco rivers create the Tittabawassee River Impoundments, also known as the Four Lakes: Secord, Smallwood, Sanford and Wixom.

The flooding likely displaced many fish downstream into the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay while also limiting access for anglers throughout the Four Lakes system — an important aspect of the local economy.

Present day​

Six years later, the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching for the Four Lakes complex, with Sanford Lake refilled to the legal summer lake level.

​Locals have been working tirelessly to restore the area to its former state.

A variety of entities have stepped up to fulfil their responsibilities to the Four Lakes residents and visitors, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division.  

In their heyday, the Four Lakes attracted anglers from around the state in search of premiere walleye, muskellunge, bass and panfish that didn’t require venturing out to Saginaw Bay or Lake St. Clair.

This is a time that folks still dream of, lost when flooding decimated those desirable fishing opportunities.
Many anglers fear that they might never see Four Lakes like that again in their lifetime.

However, as the local DNR fisheries biologist, I believe the glass is half full when it comes to this important fishery.  

Read the full article at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/428469a​.