Day 5: Fish Creek Ecology Trip
Click on the photo to enter the R/V Lake Guardian website
July 13, 2016 by Cheryl Dudeck and Josh Tharaldson
Last night was our first night of free time in the town of Washburn, WI. This was a chance for all of us to get off the ship and share personal stories about our lives. This morning we woke up, had breakfast and packed ourselves another brown bag lunch for the day. Two vans from Northland College picked us up at Washburn Harbor. Also joining us this morning were Marte and Michelle from Sea Grant. We arrived at Fish Creek to begin our adventures which included seining and identifying fish with Michelle, studying and collecting wetland plants via kayak with Annette, and learning about the history and culture of Lake Superior from Susan at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center. Also we learned from Marte how to use the Hydrolab to measure water quality. Teachers who teach in the Great Lakes states are able to borrow this piece of technology so their students can perform real world science by collecting and analyzing scientific data.
Making sandwiches for our brown bag lunch in the ship’s galley.
Arrival at Fish Creek.
Our catch was this big!
Seining for fish.
Crayfish
Lake Perch. We also identified Coho Salmon, Johnny Darters, Northern Pike, Large and Small Mouth Bass. (Note: Actual Size)
Hanging out in the wetland plants learning from Annette about the wetland plant layers.
Perfect weather conditions for kayaking and learning.
Click the photo to enter the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center website
History and Culture Lesson at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
Loading up the kayaks before heading back to the ship.
Marte from Sea Grant demonstrating how to use the HydroLab.
Our departure from Washburn was delayed for three hours due to severe wind conditions.