Great Lakes Now, Great Lakes Wildlife
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Monday, Dec. 26, at 10 PM
Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 3 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Friday, Dec. 30, at 7 PM
Michigan DNR researchers document the northern madtom – a tiny, endangered catfish that’s venomous. Then take a cinematic journey through Earth’s largest freshwater ecosystem—the Great Lakes watershed—with a preview of a new documentary series. And “The Catch” has news about the lakes you love.
Searching for Madtoms
Northern madtom are tiny catfish that most anglers will go their entire lives and never encounter. So why are they of interest to Michigan Department of Natural Resources research biologists Jan-Michael Hessenauer and Brad Utrup?
Because these tiny fish play an important role in the ecosystem as an indicator species, Hennsenauer says. Their presence or absence can tell researchers a great deal about the health of a river system. And these researchers were particularly interested to learn more about where and when the madtoms nest.
How deep was the water? What type of habitat did they use? What kind of structures did they prefer? The answers to these questions and others would help guide future fisheries management plans.
A small population of northern madtoms was known to inhabit the lower St. Clair River, and Hessenauer and Utrup wanted to study the fish. But to do that, first they would have to become certified divers.
Greg Lashbrook is a professional underwater cameraman who has shot several stories for Great Lakes Now. Over the years, Lashbrook has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, Fishes and Oceans Canada, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan DNR and national broadcasters from Discover’s Animal Planet to National Geographic.
When Hessenauer and Utrup were ready to start looking for madtom nests, they turned to Lashbrook for help. Working together, the divers set out to find and document northern madtoms in the St. Clair River.
Great Lakes in the Spotlight
A new three-part documentary series is taking viewers inside one of the largest freshwater ecosystems on Earth: the Great Lakes watershed. Through amazing cinematography, the series captures the stories of the wildlife that call this vast ecosystem home.
“Great Lakes Untamed,” is an international project that took more than 3 years to complete and features the work of some of the world’s most talented cinematographers. The project was led by veteran BBC nature documentarian, Ted Oakes, who grew up along the Ottawa River in Canada and developed a fascination for the Great Lakes as a young boy in Canada.
The series explores some Great Lakes mysteries, from Canada’s longest underwater cave system to flying squirrels that glow in the dark.
According to Oakes, most films about the Great Lakes focus on the environmental challenges and the damage that has been done to the Lakes. He says his team was committed to creating a film that showcased the natural beauty of the watershed as a way to encourage viewers to appreciate and protect the region.
The Catch: News about the Lakes You Love
Keep up with the Great Lakes’ biggest issues. Find out how environmental challenges are impacting your enjoyment of the outdoors and the health of the ecosystem. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region. Learn about the lakes you love in Great Lakes Now’s newest segment—The Catch. This month: stories about penalties for Enbridge, beach-cleaning robots, and a new Great Lakes Now column, “Nibi Chronicles.”