By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional  Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Lake Ovid is a reservoir located within Sleepy Hollow State Park in Clinton County and it was time for me to discover its lure.  Loading my small jon boat into my truck the night before would make for an early get-away and a solitary experience on the man-made lake, or so I thought.  When I arrived at the boat launch, I couldn’t believe the sight:  dozens of bass boats lined up at water’s edge for some type of tournament.  Curses!  Good for them but bad for my idea of being alone.  I made a U-turn and headed away.

That scene played out last year and I figured to try again a week ago; this time, only one other boater met me along the shore at daybreak.  Within minutes, I had the oars in the water and began my discovery mission.  As I applied some muscle power, one oar was not cooperating properly and actually came out of the oar lock.  Unfortunately, I found that one of my nylon oar lock bushings had inexplicably vanished over the winter, as rowing became problematic.  Somehow, I managed to jam the oar hardware in place and limped along.

The first cast with my open-faced reel had a rather large bluegill brighten my day.  Unharmed, it was given back to the lake and I slipped closer to the nearby shore, where I witnessed a huge surface splash moments before.  Switching to a Rapala minnow, I tossed it toward the area of commotion.  Wham!  A largemouth bass gave a good tussle and found its way into my landing net.  Since the season had yet to open – and, because I never keep bass for table fare – I eased the hook from its lip and turned it loose without measuring it.  For a few hours on the water, the action was steady until the heat of the day took over.

The 410-acre Lake Ovid was created in the 1970’s with the construction of a dam on the Little Maple River. With an average depth of 10 feet, Lake Ovid is generally fairly shallow, with depths not exceeding 23 feet.

The typical fish species available are Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Sunfish, and Yellow Perch.  A bit of research shows that some 6800 Channel Catfish were planted in 2019 – the last stocking activity found.

Hours are from 8 am – 10 pm and a Recreation Passport is required.  Other entities include a beach with swimming plus kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats and pontoon boats are available for rent. Camping with modern restrooms, and miles of walking trails and some horse trails are all part of the 2600 acre state park.

Since the lake is defined as a “no wake” lake, electric trolling motors are probably the most desirable method of propulsion but gasoline motors are permitted, as well.  The lake weeds are evident along the shore and other shallow areas of the lake, but it is there you’ll find some good action.

So, if you are looking for a get-away close to home, Lake Ovid may serve you and your family well.

When releasing deep-water fish, the right tools mean everything

Will you be fishing for snapper or grouper on your next fishing trip? Continue your role as a conservationist by paying close attention to signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond. Barotrauma is a condition seen in many fish caught at depths greater than 50 feet and is caused by pressure changes leading to an expansion of gases in the swim bladder. It is important to treat barotrauma in fish you do not intend to keep. Signs of barotrauma include the stomach coming out of the mouth, bloated belly, distended intestines and bulging eyes.

Barotrauma can cause damage to internal organs and be fatal unless appropriate steps are taken to mitigate its effects. It is important to know in advance what tools are available and how to use them to help fish return to the bottom and increase their chances of survival. Read more

The world’s first and only shark deterrent tackle makes a cool utility gift for fishing fathers.

CHARLESTON, SC – Serious fishermen know the routine. Drop your line to the bottom, tighten up the slack, and set the hook on a solid grouper, snapper or other bottom species that’s sure to provide some tasty fillets. Now comes the hard part, cranking your catch to the surface before a shark takes half (or all) of it for lunch.

When sharks attack a fish at the end of an angler’s line, it’s called shark depredation, and it’s become a major problem in recent years, especially in Southern and Gulf Coast waters. As the fish struggles on the hook it sends erratic electrical impulses through the water that the ocean’s Taxman properly interprets as a distress signal, prompting it to move in for the kill. Reef fishermen, in particular, endure plenty of disappointments from these attacks, often losing more than half their catch to the sharped-toothed predators. In some areas, sharks even key on the sound of boat engines, gathering before vessels get their lines in the water.

Fortunately, the Sharkbanz Zeppelin, the world’s first and only shark deterrent fishing tackle, can turn the tide. A new, science-based product that generates an electromagnetic field to fend off Nature’s eating machines, it’s already winning acclaim from veteran bottom bouncers wherever sharks may roam. Read more

Starting this month, the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy will offer classes at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon – commonly known as the RAM Center – giving you an opportunity to add an overnight stay on the shores of on Higgins Lake to your outdoor recreation education experience.

The first class at the RAM Center will be the June 19 Walleye Fishing Clinic.

Pro walleye tournament angler Dan Miller will cover the ins and outs of walleye fishing in this class that will go through how Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staffers, Pure Fishing pros and others spend their day chasing trophy walleye. Learn about seasonal activities, how to set up your boat and more. DNR staff will be on hand to answer any rules and regulations questions you may have. Plus, tips from a master taxidermist on how to care for your trophy fish when you catch it and want to have it mounted.

Cost for the class is $45, which includes lunch and instruction. To register, go to Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses and click on the “Purchase a license” button. Sign in (using either a username and password or your ID and birthdate), and find the class under the Outdoor Skills Academy tab. Read more

PEARL, MS – One of the best things about fishing is anglers being able to set their rods and relax until a fish bites. Setting rods in a Millenium R500 Pontoon Rod Holder makes things smoother and easier to fish with ease.

The R500 Pontoon Rod Holder is constructed with anodized aluminum to withstand the elements and resist harsh weather conditions. The patented Spyderlok Technology guarantees incremental locking angles and a 360° rotation, and it has a rugged design that will last a lifetime. Rubber-coated contact points protect your favorite rods from damage.

The R500 mounts seamlessly on boats or piers from 3/4- to 1 1/2-inch round, flat or square tube. Drilling is unnecessary. The R500 is adjustable, too, thanks to oversized knobs so anglers can raise or lower the holder to their liking. With the R500, anglers will be able to enjoy the day, put more fish in the cooler and smiles on everyone’s faces. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking those who fish for muskellunge to help with its ongoing efforts to investigate these fish through the DNR’s online muskie angler survey.

Since 2014, this survey has gathered information about muskie angler demographics and catch data, such as length of fish caught, angler effort, body of water fished and methods used. Fisheries managers have used this data to recommend fishing regulation changes to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, evaluate the muskie stocking program and understand more about self-sustaining populations.

Traditional methods, including in-person creel surveys and postcards, have not been as successful as the online survey at collecting this type of information. Anglers may fill out one survey per person, per trip and are encouraged to complete a survey for each muskie fishing trip they make.

“Because muskellunge are so elusive in our netting and electrofishing sampling efforts, muskellunge management relies heavily on angler reports to understand more about population abundance and angling success,” said Matt Diana, DNR fisheries biologist in Plainwell.

Muskie are open to catch and immediate release year-round, with the possession season opening statewide the first Saturday in June. For additional season dates and fish length limits, see the 2021 Michigan Fishing Guide at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests. As a reminder, anglers are limited to taking only one muskie per license year and are required to register their harvest by calling 888-636-7778 or online at Michigan.gov/RegisterFish.

See the current survey and past survey data at Michigan.gov/Muskie.