The Illinois Department of Natural Resources requires the need for experienced commercial fisherman to conduct gill net surveys out of ports of Chicago and Waukegan for Lake Trout, Lake Michigan forage fish and Yellow Perch. SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES REQUIRED: 1.2.1 Gear Requirements provided by Vendor 1.2.1.1 Commercial “gill net” vessel of at least net 12 tons, documentated with the U.S. Coast Guard. 1.2.1.2 Dockage in the ports of Waukegan or Chicago, Illinois, or willingness to pick up and leave off Department of Natural Resouces (Department) biologists in these ports or an alternate port agreed to by the Vendor and the Department. 1.2.1.3 Vessel equipped with each of the following: Logan C or LAT/LONG navigation, depth sounder with 300-foot recording capability, marine radio, gill net lifter and all personal and navigational safety equipment as required on watercraft by the U.S. Coast Guard and the State of Illinois – all in good working order. 1.2.2 Crew Requirements provided by Vendor 1.2.2.1 Captain with at least five (5) years’ experience commercial fishing the Great Lakes. 1.2.2.2 Capability to clean, mend, repair, rig and box gill nets. 1.2.2.3 A minimum of one additional crew member to assist in stock assessment operations. MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES: 1.3.1 Fish Stock Assessment (April, 2026; April, 2027 and April, 2028; with option for renewal April, 2029; April, 2030 and April 2031) to be provided by Vendor. 1.3.1.1 Set 1700 feet of multifilament graded mesh gill net at each of 6 stations located between 2.5 and 25 fathom bottom depths in Lake Michigan off Chicago. Nets will be set overnight. One or two depth stations will be lifted each day during a one-week period. 1.3.1.2 Set 1700 feet of multifilament graded mesh gill net at each of 6 depth stations located between 2.5 and 25 fathom bottom depths in Lake Michigan off Waukegan. Nets will be set overnight. One or two depth stations will be lifted each day during a one-week period. 1.3.1.3 Set 1700 feet of multifilament graded mesh gill net at each of 4 depth stations location between 25 and 45 fathom bottom depths in Lake Michigan off Waukegan. Nets will be set overnight. Two nets will be lifted daily over a period of three days.
