MSUE Portal
Ottawa County    
  How to Use This Site | Agriculture | Community | Environment | Health & Wellness | Home & Garden | Reference | Youth & Family  My Extension
Our Mission
   LOCAL INFORMATION
       Home

       4-H Youth Development Programs

       4-H Youth Mentoring Program

       4-H Youth Mentoring Program Miles for Mentoring Page

       Ag in the Classroom Program

       Calendar

       Community and Government

       Crop Weather Related Damage

       Dairy

       Family and Consumer Sciences

       Farmers Markets

       General Agriculture

       Master Gardener & Home Horticulture

       Natural Resources

       Nursery and Greenhouse

       Nutrient Management and Bioenergy Materials

       Renewable Energy

       Sea Grant/Great Lakes

       Small Fruit Crop Management

       Water Quality

Ottawa County MSU Extension
12220 Fillmore Street Suite 122
West Olive, Michigan
49460
United States

Email Address: msue.ottawa@county.msu.edu
Phone: 616-994-4580
Fax: 616-994-4579
 
Sea Grant in SW Michigan

  Michigan Sea Grant logo

The Ottawa County MSU Extension office serves as home base for Daniel O'Keefe, District Extension Educator for the southwest district of Michigan Sea Grant.  The role of Sea Grant in southwest Michigan is to work with coastal communities and businesses to apply science-based knowledge to address Great Lakes and southern Lake Michigan issues. The southwest district serves Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, Van Buren, and Berrien Counties.

Program Focus

  • Assist Great Lakes charter boat, recreational and commercial fishing industries in adapting to changing environmental, economic, and sociopolitical conditions
  • Promote understanding of connections between watersheds, rivers, drowned river mouth lakes, and Lake Michigan to highlight impacts of inland communities on Great Lakes fisheries
  • Work toward development of emerging fisheries, fishing methods, and seafood products
Contact Information:
Daniel O'Keefe
Southwest District Sea Grant Extension Educator
Michigan Sea Grant
Ottawa County MSU Extension
12220 Fillmore Street Suite 122.
West Olive, MI  49460
 
Phone: (616) 994-4580
Fax: (616) 994-4579
Email:  okeefed@msu.edu

Daniel O'Keefe, PhD, SW Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator

  
Module Footer
SPACER
Sea Grant Programs
MSU Extension programming for the Great Lakes provides research-based educational programs, information and materials on issues involving the Great Lakes. The vehicle for delivery of these resources is through your county Extension office and the Michigan Sea Grant Program, which has DISTRICT or REGIONAL agents strategically located in coastal communities around the state. They serve as liaisons between coastal resource users and the academic research community. Extension agents educate and provide technical assistance to residents, businesses, resource management agencies, and coastal communities on managing Great Lakes resources, creating sustainable coastal businesses, and understanding Great Lakes ecosystems.
Module Footer
SPACER
Trap Nets

TRAP NETS

Recreational boaters and anglers are invited to visit the Michigan Sea Grant Know Your Nets web page to learn how to identify and avoid commercial fishing nets.

 

The Ludington Area Charterboat Association in cooperation with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians provides net locations on their website.  Look for the link under the “Danger Keep Out” sign on the right side of the webpage located at http://www.ludingtoncharterboats.org/
Module Footer
SPACER
Fishing in Ottawa County

The Grand Haven/Spring Lake Area Visitors Bureau, the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department and Ottawa County MSU Extension have teamed up to create “Fish Grand Haven & Holland” a guide on fishing in Ottawa County.  The guide offers information on the species of fish that can be caught in the area along with tips on when to fish and the best spots to fish.  There is also information on public access points and boat launches.  

 

If you are interested in using a charter boat service, you will find a listing of area charter captains with contact information.  A listing of area hotel accommodations is included for visitors to the area. 

 

You are welcome to stop in at our office to pick up a free copy or call to have one sent to you.

 
Module Footer
SPACER
SPACER
Newsletters
"The West Michigan Angler’s News"
Current Issue:
 
Past Issues:
 
 
If you would like to receive email notices when the newsletter and other program announcements have been posted to this website please email frein@msu.edu with the following information and mention "Sea Grant Mailing list"
 
Your Name
Street Address
City, State and Zip Code
Email address
Module Footer
SPACER
Rip Currents

Photo of a rip current warning sign posted at a Lake Michigan beach

Summers along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan bring an array of fun activities such as boating, camping, beachcombing and swimming. Fun can quickly turn to tragedy when a swimmer is caught in a rip current.  Even the strongest of swimmers can find themselves caught in a rip current. Educating yourself and your family on the dangers of rip currents and how to escape from one can help avert tragedy.
 
Use the following links to visit pages of the Michigan Sea Grant website which offer very helpful information on rip currents:
 
Module Footer
SPACER
Sea Grant Links
SPACER
Aquatic Invasive Species

Plants
Eurasian Watermilfoil  
Frogbit 
Hydrilla 
Purple Loosestrife

Fish
Asian Carp 
Eurasian Ruffe 
Round Goby 
Sea Lamprey

Zooplankton
Fishhook water flea 
Spiny water flea

Mollusks
Zebra mussels 
Quagga mussels

Module Footer
SPACER
Shoreline/Coastal Issues
SPACER
SPACER
SPACER
 Site Map |  Linking | Disclaimer | Anti-Discrimination Statement © 2003 Michigan State University    
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.