A substantial fish kill, affecting all species in the lake, has occurred at Big Indian Recreation Area south of Wymore in Gage County.

Angler reports prompted Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists on July 1 to visit the lake, where they observed numerous dead fish of all species. Dissolved oxygen was tested, confirming extremely low levels in the lake caused the fish kill.

“Unfortunately, many water bodies are susceptible to summertime fish kills given the right sequence of weather events,” said Tony Barada, a Game and Parks fisheries assistant administrator.

Extreme heat and sunshine earlier that week at Big Indian likely contributed to a large algal bloom that subsequently died back during the cooler temperatures and cloud cover that followed. When algae die, the bacteria that consumes it also consumes oxygen. When the algal die-off is excessive, it can cause fish kills. Read more

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to cosponsor the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This milestone agreement with the Biden Administration unlocks $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three phases of the $1.15 billion project that will prevent invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species from entering the Great Lakes.

“Today’s agreement will help us get shovels in the ground as soon as possible on the critical Brandon Road project,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigan’s economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker in Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.” Read more

“Chevron” case highlights real example of the threat to fishing and hunting in America

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of a group of fishermen fighting against government overreach. The fishermen asked the courts to overturn the Chevron doctrine to stop a National Marine Fisheries Service rule that requires the herring industry to pay for the costs of observers on fishing boats.

“This case is the perfect example of a threat to our fishing and hunting heritage in the real world, and we are thankful that the Supreme Court rightly overturned these unnecessarily burdensome regulations,” said International Order of T. Roosevelt Executive Director Luke Hilgemann. “Government overreach is a serious threat to anglers and hunters. We must continue to remain vigilant against these threats by being active in courtrooms and legislatures around the country. IOTR will always fight on the side of your right to fish and hunt.” Read more

Seeing a ferocious strike from a giant largemouth bass as it blows up on a topwater frog is one of the most thrilling moments in fishing. To witness the power and aggressiveness on full display sends a collective shiver down the spine of any passionate angler; it’s also one of the most consistent ways to catch big bass throughout the hot summer months. But to consistently get those bites—and convert them into releases—you need to understand the methodology behind the technique.

Breaking Down the Bite

Sometimes getting a trophy bass to hit the frog is the easy part. Hooking the fish means also having an understanding of how they eat and why. Read more

Bass fishing tournaments are very popular in Michigan, and for the past nine years the state Department of Natural Resources has been collecting and tracking data from them in its online Fishing Tournament Information System.

By law, fishing tournaments targeting bass and walleye – as well as any competitive fishing event, regardless of structure, that targets muskellunge – are required to register their events with the DNR and report results after the tournament has ended. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission put these requirements in place for bass tournaments in 2016, with walleye and muskie requirements added in 2019.

The idea was to gain a better understanding of how much fishing tournament activity occurs in Michigan annually. In particular, the commission sought to identify which bodies of water are used and how many anglers participate in tournament fishing, as well as collect catch and biological data on the fish that are caught to supplement the DNR’s own fish survey capabilities.

These requirements and the development of the Fishing Tournament Information System have resulted in a successful program and an information-gathering tool that have helped the DNR better understand a valuable angler group while providing large quantities of social and biological data for use in future fisheries management discussions.

Most fishing tournaments in Michigan follow the same basic setup and must comply with all state recreational fishing regulations, including licensing requirements, seasons, size limits and daily angler possession limits. Read more

Dryshod, the new benchmark in performance waterproof boots and shoes, has expanded its outdoor and occupational footwear offerings with the introduction of the new Slipnot deck boot. Developed to keep feet dry and footing solid on wet and slippery boat decks, the new Slipnot is an ankle-high slip-on boot that delivers all-day comfort and support for those who work or play on the water.

Designed and manufactured to Dryshod’s industry-leading standards, the Slipnot begins with a non-marring, rubber outsole with SULFADEX™ grip enhancer in combination with the exclusive micro-etched CROSSTAR™ tread pattern. The combination of materials and tread configuration offers exceptional grip on wet or dry surfaces—including wood, fiberglass, or carpet—with the ability to displace and squeegee away water for omni-directional grip performance.

The Slipnot is ideal for warm weather wear thanks to the WIXIT Cool-Clad wicking air mesh lining. By promoting ample air flow through the lining’s integrated micro-dot perforations, the Slipnot keeps feet cooler and drier than conventional waterproof deck boots. Further aiding comfort is the Slipnot’s 9-inch high upper that delivers lower ankle, upper instep, and Achilles tendon protection with an easy on, easy off rocker-style topline and rigid heel kick. Read more