Fish point

SINCE 2001

Mission Statement

The Fish Point Wildlife Association is a non-profit, volunteer organization that, in conjunction with the Michigan Department Of Natural Resources, is helping to maintain and improve the Fish Point Wildlife Area for outdoors sports-persons.

History

The Fish Point Wildlife Area lies in northwest Tuscola County in east central Lower Michigan, adjacent to Saginaw Bay. The Wildlife area extends along Saginaw Bay's east shoreline between Quanicassee and Sebewaing. The area headquarters is located on Ringle Rd., 6 miles north and west of the village of Unionville, Michigan 48767.

Prior to 1950 all of the present wildlife area was in private ownership. State acquisition began in 1950. By 1959 about 2,000 acres had been acquired and were administered by the Michigan Conservation Department. The acquisitions were made to protect a significant amount of natural shoreline habitat. This was to enhance waterfowl production, improve resting and feeding areas for migratory waterfowl, and insure waterfowl hunting opportunities.

The area was poorly drained, so diking, ditching and pumping were early requirements for waterfowl food production. The waterfowl foods most commonly planted were corn, buckwheat, and winter wheat. The first pump was installed in 1954 and by 1959, four pumping stations were controlling water on eleven fields. Approximately one-half of the total acreage was dedicated as an inviolate refuge in 1958.

The Saginaw Bay Region, including the Fish Point area, has traditionally been used intensively by waterfowl hunters. As management efforts resulted in more waterfowl using the Wildlife area, hunter numbers steadily increased. When overcrowding became a problem, the managed hunting concept was implemented in 1971. Today the area totals 3,631 acres and public use of the area consists of hunting, trapping, bird watching, and fishing.

The mission of the DNR Wildlife Division is to enhance, restore and conserve the State's wildlife resources, natural communities, and ecosystems for the benefit of Michigan's citizens, visitors, and future generations.

The Fish Point Wildlife Association was formed in 2001 to help the DNR wildlife division meet these goals.

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