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MARQUETTE -- The DNRE is embarking on a five-year fish study.  Approximately 2,400 Lake Superior and Lake Huron lake trout will be kept under close watch to determine the species' fishable population in the Great Lakes.

It's called the "Lake Trout Hooking-Mortality Study," and its goal is simple:  to determine if the current lake trout size restrictions are properly managing the population.  Volunteer veteran anglers and commercial fishing boats are taking to the waters of Lakes Superior and Huron over the next three years to tag the fish that are too small to keep.

"We've asked them to help us tag and release lake trout, and they're following a scientific procedure that makes the process objective.  And we're also tagging a group of fish through trap nets, commercial trap nets, as another group to study the two groups," says Shawn Sitar, Fisheries Research Biologist for the DNRE.

If you catch a lake trout with a tag in its dorsal fin, you're asked to call the phone number on the tag and tell the DNRE the tag's ID number and where and when you caught the fish.

"We will send the angler a letter indicating where we tagged the fish and when it was tagged, and also, they will receive a $10 reward," Sitar explained.

So why is the study being done here?  Because Lake Superior has world class lake trout fishing.  In fact, it's the only one of the Great Lakes with wild, naturally reproducing populations of lake trout, and the other Great Lakes use Superior as a model.

"I think we all feel we're participating in a study that's very meaningful.  We're contributing in a scientific way.  It's fun doing it, but most importantly, I think we're helping the DNRE better manage the stock," says Joe Buys, one of the volunteer anglers participating in the study.

The actual tagging process is compared to getting your ear pierced.

"We try to keep the process of tagging very simple and very quick so the fish is out of the water a minimal time, and tagging usually goes very smoothly.  No, we see no evidence where it hurts the fish," Buys explained.

For more information on the program, visit the DNRE online.