Imagine you’re interested in taking up golf and have the chance to get out on the links for some pointers from Tiger Woods.

In a similar fashion, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering an opportunity that comes close. Those who want to learn more about fishing and hunting can link up with expert instructors at the DNR’s Outdoor Skills Academy.

“It’s like Michael Jordan coming to help us teach basketball,” said DNR park interpreter and academy director Ed Shaw. “These guys are the Michael Jordans of the fishing world.”

Shaw runs the academy out of the Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish Center at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac. Instructors include seven seasonal interpreters and seven pros, with the list continuing to grow.

Shaw has enlisted pro staff from fishing gear companies like Fish Bones Custom Lures, Clam Outdoors, Vexilar and HT Enterprises, who team up with DNR instructors to present hands-on clinics for newbies and experienced anglers and hunters who want to brush up on their skills. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that mandatory ice shanty removal dates are approaching. Regardless of the date, shanties must be removed as soon as the ice is unable to safely hold them.

Ice shanties on Lake St. Clair must be removed by sunset Sunday, Feb. 21.

For counties in the southern Lower Peninsula, shanties must be removed from the ice by midnight Tuesday, March 1. Read more

Industry supports current efforts to address Florida’s water quality issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 18, 2016 – The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) supports efforts being made on the federal and state levels to address Florida’s water quality issues that can have an impact on fisheries habitat and management. A record-breaking amount of rainfall this past January required that a large amount of water be released from Lake Okeechobee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sending fresh water both west and east to coastal areas that are adversely impacted by such an action.

On Monday, February 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acted on an emergency request from the Governor’s office, in coordination with other state agencies, to allow the water to move south on its historic path through Everglades National Park into Florida Bay. Read more

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials announced the 2016 Black Lake sturgeon harvest season ended after one hour Saturday, Feb. 6, with seven fish being harvested. The fishing season, which included spearing or hook-and-line fishing, was scheduled to run Feb. 6-10, or until the harvest quota had been reached. The allocation of sturgeon for Black Lake anglers this year was seven fish, although DNR officials set a quota of six fish.

There were 261 registered anglers on the ice Saturday, down from 303 the year before. Most anglers preregistered Friday, Feb. 5, which allowed for a much more streamlined process. Anglers of all ages and genders participated, including a good number of supervised youth. Read more

The Marine Industry’s first sub-$600 thermal camera helps increase nighttime awareness

WILSONVILLE, OR – – FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced the FLIR Ocean Scout TK thermal camera at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show. A sub-$600, pocket-sized thermal vision monocular, the Ocean Scout TK features FLIR’s revolutionary low-cost Lepton micro camera core, making thermal imaging technology even more accessible to boaters.

The smallest and most affordable model in the FLIR Ocean Scout series, Ocean Scout TK creates high-contrast images using heat, rather than visible light. As a result, Ocean Scout TK makes it possible to see the differences in temperature and heat emitted by boats, buoys, and landmarks in total darkness. Ocean Scout TK also reveals people overboard and marine mammals breaking the surface of the water. Read more

  Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekends: An annual tradition

• Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan’s premiere outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE!

  The 2016 Free Fishing Weekends are scheduled for this winter: February 13 & 14 and this summer: June 11 & 12.

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