I just got my first Seine Net and I'm planning on going out and doing some collecting in the Grand Rapids, MI area. Since I'm fairly new to netting natives, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience in West Michigan rivers and streams. Or if anyone has any tips for a rookie like me in general.

And what would REALLY make me happy would be to find some Rainbow Darters. Anyone have any tips on how to find some of these?

Thanks! You guys have been really helpful so far!

-Kurt

I just got my first Seine Net and I'm planning on going out and doing some collecting in the Grand Rapids, MI area. Since I'm fairly new to netting natives, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience in West Michigan rivers and streams. Or if anyone has any tips for a rookie like me in general.

And what would REALLY make me happy would be to find some Rainbow Darters. Anyone have any tips on how to find some of these?

Thanks! You guys have been really helpful so far!

-Kurt

I've found Rainbow darters in the Muskegon River above Big Rapids. For good collecting, say upstream of about Big Rapids. Below Croton dam, the zebra mussels have messed everything up(just up there today, and the bottom is totally covered in zebra mussels.
Closer to home here(I'm in kentwood), I hope someone chimes in! I would think that there would be some in the Rogue river, and maybe the Rabbit or Coldwater rivers...
I'll be watching this thread also!
I've just put up a 40 gallon tank, heavily planted with local plants..but nothing at all in it yet...so hoping for some inspiration here!

I've found Rainbow darters in the Muskegon River above Big Rapids. For good collecting, say upstream of about Big Rapids. Below Croton dam, the zebra mussels have messed everything up(just up there today, and the bottom is totally covered in zebra mussels.
Closer to home here(I'm in kentwood), I hope someone chimes in! I would think that there would be some in the Rogue river, and maybe the Rabbit or Coldwater rivers...
I'll be watching this thread also!
I've just put up a 40 gallon tank, heavily planted with local plants..but nothing at all in it yet...so hoping for some inspiration here!

You need to watch where you collect and avoid trout streams. I have a spot on the Thornapple river in Hasting behind the Ace hardware where lots of rainbow darters can be caught in the spring.

Jim Graham
Hastings MI

Jimmy Bob!

Well, here I was going to suggest you get with Mr. Graham, and then he appears on the Forum. Good deal

What seems the trick to finding rainbows in Michigan streams is actually finding a riffle. Most of those streams around you are wood stabilized with a lot of sand and gravel. But they seem to prefer places where there are larger cobbles. So I would look at the geologic map and see where the streams intersect moraines and so forth. Or perhaps that gives you some places in mind to look.

Todd

Jim!!!!....Just when I thought you would never cross to the darkside....Nice to see you.
And like Todd I was going to suggest getting a hold of you also...I have fuzzy memory of western Michigan Rainbow locals...

Also, I realized you might not have seen the Michigan Fish Atlas.

It's found here:

http://www.michigan....30538--,00.html

There is a pdf for each species account and records. Won't tell you exactly the place where they were caught in the account, but it'll give you ideas.

Todd