Department of Natural Resources officials today announced the 2015 Black Lake sturgeon harvest season ended after less than five and a half hours Saturday, Feb. 7, with five fish being harvested. The fishing season, which included spearing or hook-and-line fishing, was scheduled to run Feb. 7-11 or until the harvest quota of five fish had been reached.

First fish caught during 2015 Black Lake sturgeon season, 67-inch female weighing 75 poundsThere were 303 registered anglers on the ice Saturday, up from 228 the year before. Most anglers registered at the preregistration held Friday, Feb. 6, which allowed for a much more streamlined process. Anglers of all ages and genders participated, including a good number of supervised youth.

According to DNR fisheries biologist Tim Cwalinski, the first sturgeon was harvested around 9 a.m. It was a 67-inch female that weighed 75 pounds. Fish number two was taken at 9:33 a.m. and was a 58-inch male weighing 45 pounds. Fish three was a 69-inch female that weighed 80 pounds, taken at 12:35 p.m. Fish four was the day’s largest, a 71-inch female that weighed in at 87 pounds and was taken at 12:50 p.m. The fifth and final fish was harvested at 1:27 p.m. and was a 50-inch female that weighed 31 pounds. Read more

Revolution 7000 Casting Reel; big fish beware, there’s a revolution coming

Whether you’re chasing the mighty muskellunge, battling bruiser blue cats, or subduing supertanker stripers, the Revolution 7000 casting reel has what it takes to make them surrender. This reel, designed and built for taking on heavyweights, features a super high capacity, double-anodized aluminum spool that accommodates heavy line, whether it’s monofilament or braid. The Revolution 7000 holds 270 yards of 20-pound monofilament or 235 yards of 80-pound braid, which is plenty to go toe-to-toe with the toughest, longest running fighters out there.

Plus, a precision carbon fiber drag system with an easily adjustable drag star puts you in control from hookup to landing. The 4-bearing system with Power Lock™ instant anti-reverse provides smooth, reliable performance whether you are casting lures or hauling in the big one. A counter balanced power handle with soft-touch grip ensures a secure, balanced feel no matter the conditions. The 4-pin centrifugal braking system and aluminum post-style line guide ensures maximum casting distance while helping to prevent backlashes. Read more

CLEVELAND — Rescues in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, Sunday evening and Lake Erie Monday morning are the latest in an alarmingly high number of Great Lakes ice rescues since Saturday, prompting a Coast Guard reminder of the risk of venturing out onto the ice and of the importance of taking appropriate safety precautions.

Throughout the weekend the Coast Guard, good Samaritans and the Bay County, Michigan Fire Department rescued eight and assisted six people across the lakes, an unusually high number attributed in part to a milder winter and environmental conditions like “the devil’s blanket.”

“My ice rescue crews spend more time on the frozen Saginaw Bay than anyone, and every one of us has learned that ice conditions are unpredictable,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Terry W. Lathrop, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Saginaw, home of the National Ice Rescue School. “One thing we can say with certainty is that the ice will almost never be as thick as it was last year, so don’t go out expecting 30 inches of ice.” Read more

RACINE, Wis. (February 3, 2015) – Minn Kota® wants to help put more fish in the boat and keep money in anglers’ pockets in 2015 by offering up to $112 in mail-in rewards with the purchase of select trolling motors.

The following motors must be purchased between January 1 and June 1, 2015, to be eligible for corresponding rewards: Read more