The Michigan Department of Natural Resources soon will be collecting steelhead eggs at the Little Manistee River weir in Stronach (Manistee County).

Since 1968, the Little Manistee River weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes. To provide a backup egg-take source in case of emergencies, another broodstock steelhead population is being developed on the Platte River in Benzie County. Read more

ICAST is the venue for launching new fishing products and setting industry trends  

Alexandria, Va. – March 24, 2016 – With Orlando, Fla. as the backdrop, the 59^th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, the world’s largest showcase of fishing tackle, apparel and accessories, is taking place July 12-15, at the Orange County Convention Center. All the details, including registration, are available at www.ICASTfishing.org.

ICAST Week 2016 will host 600 exhibitors, a 650,000-square-foot show floor, a week-long lineup of business and networking events and more than 13,000 attendees. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade group that represents the sportfishing industry, ICAST is the venue for launching new fishing products and setting industry trends.  Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds Muskegon River anglers that fisheries personnel will be taking walleye eggs below Croton Dam this spring.

The DNR plans to collect approximately 67 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River in 2016, resulting in 16.8 million fry for transfer to rearing ponds and direct fry plants throughout the Lower Peninsula. Walleye fry transferred to ponds will be raised to fingerling size (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches) and stocked in late spring or early summer in lakes and rivers throughout the state. Read more

As the spring fishing season approaches, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that fisheries staff will be interviewing them about their fishing trips on several inland lakes located throughout the state.

Locations include Mullett Lake (Cheboygan County), Cass and Union lakes (Oakland County), Big Manistee River including a component on Manistee Lake (Manistee County), Deer Lake Basin (Marquette County) and Lake Gogebic (Gogebic County). Read more

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