Category: Fishing

Benelli ETHOS 20

ACCOKEEK, MD — With two prestigious, back-to-back Shotgun of the Year awards on the trophy wall, it would be hard to surpass the buzz surrounding the new Benelli ETHOS 12. But the launch of the ETHOS 20 promises to do just that, and in the process drive subgauge enthusiasts over the top and into the nearest dealer.

The spry ETHOS 20 weighs in at just under six pounds, and like the 12-gauge predecessor, cycles any 2 ¾ or 3″ load from light to magnum flawlessly and interchangeably. Designed around the same platform as its beefier sibling, the 20-gauge model sports the same improved ergonomics, patented Progressive Comfort® recoil reduction system and fetching AA- Grade Satin Walnut stock and forearm. The superb balance and style affording ETHOS 12 shooters faster, more fluid mounting and handling is inherent in the lively 20-gauge version.

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Fishing

114 Sportsmen’s Groups Call on Congress to Reject All Efforts to Sell or Transfer Public Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 100 hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Trout Unlimited, Dallas Safari Club, Pope & Young Club, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, and more than 80 state-based groups, have released a letter to local and national decision-makers opposing the sale or transfer of federally-managed public lands. Recipients include House members meeting tomorrow to discuss federal land acquisition, and its impacts on communities and the environment, and Senators who recently passed a budget resolution that could encourage the sale or transfer of public lands.

“We’re calling on lawmakers to end this conversation now,” says Whit Fosburgh, TRCP’s president and CEO, whose recent blog post addressed the Senate amendment, which passed 51-49 on March 26. “Nothing galvanizes sportsmen like the loss of access for hunting and fishing, and continuing to indulge this controversial idea is keeping us from the real task of managing our public lands.”

America’s 640 million acres of federal public lands—including our national forests and Bureau of Land Management lands—provide hunting and fishing opportunities to millions of sportsmen and women. Since late last year, efforts to wrest public lands from the federal government and put them under state ownership have been matched by the unanimous outcry of sportsmen across the country. “Decision-makers need to know what they are stepping into,” says Joel Webster, director of western public lands for the TRCP. “Over 72% of western hunters depend on public lands for access, and sportsmen are not going to stand idly by as they’re sold away.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Platte River to receive nearly 800,000 coho salmon stocked this spring

The Department of Natural Resources recently stocked coho salmon in the Platte River near the Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Beulah (Benzie County), Michigan.  Coho salmon on measuring board

The Platte River is the birthplace of coho salmon in the Great Lakes, following the species’ experimental introduction there in 1966 to control the alewife population and to create a sport fishery. Today, nearly 50 years later, the Platte River State Fish Hatchery is the only hatchery in Michigan that rears coho salmon. The hatchery also serves as the primary egg source for the Great Lakes. Read more

Fishing

Michigan’s New Fishing Regs for 2015-16 In Effect

The Natural Resources Commission finalized several regulations impacting the 2015-2016 fishing season at its meeting on April 9. Fishing regulations are adjusted annually to ensure Michigan’s fisheries resources are managed properly and to provide the best benefits to anglers and the public. Youth holding a skamania he caught

Due to the Natural Resources Commission’s temporary loss of regulatory authority, several regulations were not determined in time for the start of the 2015-2016 angling year (April 1) and consequently were not printed in the hard-copy version of the Michigan Fishing Guide. However, there are several areas of the guide that have an orange star to indicate that changes possibly would be forthcoming.

A few of the changes are highlighted below; full details are now online at Michigan.gov/fishingguide and in the PDF file available for download below. Read more

Fishing

DNR says fish kills may be common during spring thaw

Dead bluegills underwater (example of fish kills)The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that after the heavy ice and snow cover melt on Michigan’s lakes this early spring, it may be common to discover dead fish or other aquatic creatures. This year’s winter with heavy snow, extreme cold temperatures and thick ice cover will create conditions that cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die.

“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said DNR fisheries habitat specialist Chris Freiburger. “Given the conditions this winter with thick ice and deep snow cover, it will be particularly common in shallow lakes and streams and ponds. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.”

Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh winters. Shallow lakes with excess aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms are particularly prone to this problem. Fish and other aquatic life typically die in late winter, but may not be noticed until a month after the ice leaves the lake because the dead fish and other aquatic life are temporarily preserved by the cold water.  Read more

Fishing

Large Trout Stocked in Clinton and Huron Rivers

The Department of Natural Resources recently stocked adult trout in the Clinton River at Riverside Park, Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area, and Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area. Close-up of brown trout

The Clinton River was stocked with just over 400 brown trout from 16 to 18 inches and 300 rainbow trout ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The Huron River was stocked with 1,500 brown trout sized 16 to 22 inches and nearly 1,500 rainbow trout sized 16 to 22 inches. Spring Mill Pond was stocked with nearly 200 brown trout sized 16 to 18 inches and nearly 600 rainbow trout sized 16 to 22 inches.

This annual stocking activity uses unneeded brown and rainbow trout broodstock from Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. Every year there are surplus adult trout in the hatchery system, which are stocked in special regulation areas. Read more

Fishing, General

DNR asks anglers to report tagged walleye

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is set to jaw tag nearly 3,000 walleyes in Saginaw Bay this spring. Anglers are asked to collect information on tagged fish they catch and to report it to the DNR.Walleye with jaw-tag attached

The DNR has tagged more than 100,000 walleyes in that water body since 1981. Jaw tagging is part of a long-term research project to monitor survival and harvest rates and to learn about walleye movement. The program depends on anglers to report when they catch a tagged walleye, as well as the fish’s length, weight (if known) and tag identification number. Once reported, anglers will receive a letter back detailing the history of their fish.

About 10 percent of the tags include a $100 reward for reporting the tag. Each tag is stamped with a unique identifying number and a P.O. box address. If anglers prefer, they can report their tagged walleyes online at www.michigandnr.com/taggedfish/. Anglers can keep the fish, of course, or release it if they prefer. Read more

Fishing

DISH Offers Free Preview of Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network

NEW BERLIN, WI – Sportsman Channel and sister network World Fishing Network will be available to DISH customers as a free preview beginning April 2 through May 5. The preview will be available on DISH in high definition and standard definition on Channel 395 (Sportsman Channel) and standard definition Channel 394 (World Fishing Network). Customers can visit www.dish.com/preview for more information. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

QDMA Partners with Powderhook to Provide Hunters More Access

To help provide deer hunters with more access to go afield, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) has partnered with Powderhook, the resource for connecting hunters and fishermen with places to enjoy their passion.

“We are excited to partner with QDMA and help deer hunters everywhere in our quest to help create access for all, now and into the future,” said Chris Dietrich, Powderhook’s Sales and Pro Staff manager. “The partnership will greatly benefit the hunting community by combining Powderhook’s software with QDMA’s proven approach to Quality Deer Management. Users will be able to learn more about QDMA events, purchase tickets for them, and connect with others in the outdoors – all through the Powderhook experience.”

Hunter access was identified as one of the greatest issues impacting the future of hunting at QDMA’s 2014 North American Whitetail Summit. East of the Rocky Mountains, most hunting occurs on private land, and this is especially true in states like Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas where 97 to 98 percent of the land is in private ownership. Add in development, anti-hunting sentiment among some landowners, and competition from other hunters, and it can be downright difficult finding a place to hunt.

“It is encouraging to see cutting-edge technology being used to help solve the access problem,” said QDMA CEO Brian Murphy. “Powderhook is leading the way in this area, and we are proud to be a part of this effort to connect hunters with places to hunt.”

“Powderhook’s mission is ‘Access for All,'” said Dietrich. “That means access for new hunters, anglers
and shooters; for parents and their children; for neighbors who haven’t been out in the field for years; and for you. Powderhook works with the nation’s leading conservation organizations, retailers and manufacturers and uses its innovative Web platform to solve some of the industry’s most important problems.”

Finding an event, planning a trip, building a map, or locating a nearby group has never been easier. Powderhook’s website features over 500 million acres of hunting and fishing spots in all 50 states with more being added every day. It allows users to easily find and share access to hunting clubs, leases, outfitters, and private and public lands – all searchable with interactive mapping tools. Additionally, Powderhook users can create and manage outdoor organizations, events, and groups.

Join Powderhook and start interacting with thousands of sportsmen and women today. As an incentive for signing up, QDMA and Powderhook have put together a sweepstakes package valued at $3,650 that includes QDMA merchandise and a 5-day, 6-night fishing trip to McKay Lake in Ontario, Canada. View the complete package and contest rules, join Powderhook, and enter to win at www.powderhook.com/giveaway. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

New Michigan fishing license required April 1

The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new fishing license season begins Wednesday, April 1, which coincides with the new regulation cycle. All 2014 fishing licenses are good through March 31, 2015. 2015 Michigan fishing license & fishing guide

Anglers have five options to choose from when making their purchases. All fishing licenses are good for all species.

  • Resident Annual – $26
  • Non-Resident Annual – $68
  • Senior Annual (for residents age 65 or older) – $11
  • 24-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $10
  • 72-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $30

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Fishing
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