Daniel Hayes

Daniel Hayes is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His position is funded through the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management (PERM), a cooperative venture between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and MSU. He actively conducts research, teaches undergraduate courses, and engages in outreach with the Fisheries Division of the Michigan DNR.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. from Michigan State University (1990)
• M.S. from Michigan State University (1988)
• B.S. from University of New Hampshire (1983, summa cum laude)

Dr. Hayes' research centers on determining how fish habitat affects population dynamics to sustain valuable fisheries. He investigates fishing impacts on fish populations and general fish ecology using mathematical modeling, statistical approaches, and whole-system manipulations. Key projects include studying Stronach Dam removal effects, Pine River's salmonid production potential, and habitat structure utilization in Au Sable River reservoirs. His work bridges theoretical ecology with practical fishery management applications.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate expanding research scope into waterfowl population modeling, invasive species prevention behavior, and ecosystem management frameworks, while maintaining core fisheries expertise. These works reflect interdisciplinary collaboration across wildlife management, statistics, and environmental policy domains.

Scientific recognition includes:

• CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award (2025)

He mentors students through core courses including FW101L (Introduction to Fisheries and Wildlife Lab), STT224 (Introductory Probability and Statistics for Ecologists), and FW238 (Fisheries and Wildlife Field Experience). Current grant funding spans multiple agencies:

• Michigan DNR/US Fish & Wildlife Service (anglers behavior study through 2028)
• USDA Forest Service (aquatic macrophyte surveys through 2026)
• US Geological Survey (stream temperature modeling through 2026)

Dr. Hayes contributes to MSU's Water Alliance and Ecosystems (ECO) program, integrating fisheries research with broader water resource initiatives through cross-departmental collaboration.