Seventeen fish habitat conservation projects in streams and lakes across the state will share more than $2.1 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The projects, supported by an additional $616,000 in matching partner contributions, will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitat that provides the foundation for Michigan’s world-class fisheries. Eleven of the funded projects are priority habitat conservation projects as identified by the DNR.

The Fisheries Habitat Grant program provides funding for a variety of activities including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreation opportunities like fishing. Funding from fishing license sales, State of Michigan general funds and a settlement with Consumers Energy is distributed through three grant areas: aquatic habitat conservation, dam management, and aquatic habitat and recreation in the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river watersheds.

Joe Nohner, a resource analyst with the DNR Fisheries Division, said the funded projects will protect and rehabilitate fish habitats across the state, while in many cases improving public safety by removing dams.

“When completed, these projects will reconnect fish passage on over 250 miles of streams, including coldwater habitats that provide greater resilience to warming on some of the state’s premier trout and salmon rivers such as the Au Sable, Boardman, Pere Marquette and Muskegon,” Nohner said. “We’ll also be able to get valuable new information about inland lake aquatic vegetation, mussel populations and northern Michigan trout streams, which means even more effective resource management.”

Projects funded by the Fisheries Habitat Grant program include: Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional  Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Lake Ovid is a reservoir located within Sleepy Hollow State Park in Clinton County and it was time for me to discover its lure.  Loading my small jon boat into my truck the night before would make for an early get-away and a solitary experience on the man-made lake, or so I thought.  When I arrived at the boat launch, I couldn’t believe the sight:  dozens of bass boats lined up at water’s edge for some type of tournament.  Curses!  Good for them but bad for my idea of being alone.  I made a U-turn and headed away.

That scene played out last year and I figured to try again a week ago; this time, only one other boater met me along the shore at daybreak.  Within minutes, I had the oars in the water and began my discovery mission.  As I applied some muscle power, one oar was not cooperating properly and actually came out of the oar lock.  Unfortunately, I found that one of my nylon oar lock bushings had inexplicably vanished over the winter, as rowing became problematic.  Somehow, I managed to jam the oar hardware in place and limped along.

The first cast with my open-faced reel had a rather large bluegill brighten my day.  Unharmed, it was given back to the lake and I slipped closer to the nearby shore, where I witnessed a huge surface splash moments before.  Switching to a Rapala minnow, I tossed it toward the area of commotion.  Wham!  A largemouth bass gave a good tussle and found its way into my landing net.  Since the season had yet to open – and, because I never keep bass for table fare – I eased the hook from its lip and turned it loose without measuring it.  For a few hours on the water, the action was steady until the heat of the day took over.

The 410-acre Lake Ovid was created in the 1970’s with the construction of a dam on the Little Maple River. With an average depth of 10 feet, Lake Ovid is generally fairly shallow, with depths not exceeding 23 feet.

The typical fish species available are Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Sunfish, and Yellow Perch.  A bit of research shows that some 6800 Channel Catfish were planted in 2019 – the last stocking activity found.

Hours are from 8 am – 10 pm and a Recreation Passport is required.  Other entities include a beach with swimming plus kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats and pontoon boats are available for rent. Camping with modern restrooms, and miles of walking trails and some horse trails are all part of the 2600 acre state park.

Since the lake is defined as a “no wake” lake, electric trolling motors are probably the most desirable method of propulsion but gasoline motors are permitted, as well.  The lake weeds are evident along the shore and other shallow areas of the lake, but it is there you’ll find some good action.

So, if you are looking for a get-away close to home, Lake Ovid may serve you and your family well.

When releasing deep-water fish, the right tools mean everything

Will you be fishing for snapper or grouper on your next fishing trip? Continue your role as a conservationist by paying close attention to signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond. Barotrauma is a condition seen in many fish caught at depths greater than 50 feet and is caused by pressure changes leading to an expansion of gases in the swim bladder. It is important to treat barotrauma in fish you do not intend to keep. Signs of barotrauma include the stomach coming out of the mouth, bloated belly, distended intestines and bulging eyes.

Barotrauma can cause damage to internal organs and be fatal unless appropriate steps are taken to mitigate its effects. It is important to know in advance what tools are available and how to use them to help fish return to the bottom and increase their chances of survival. Read more

The world’s first and only shark deterrent tackle makes a cool utility gift for fishing fathers.

CHARLESTON, SC – Serious fishermen know the routine. Drop your line to the bottom, tighten up the slack, and set the hook on a solid grouper, snapper or other bottom species that’s sure to provide some tasty fillets. Now comes the hard part, cranking your catch to the surface before a shark takes half (or all) of it for lunch.

When sharks attack a fish at the end of an angler’s line, it’s called shark depredation, and it’s become a major problem in recent years, especially in Southern and Gulf Coast waters. As the fish struggles on the hook it sends erratic electrical impulses through the water that the ocean’s Taxman properly interprets as a distress signal, prompting it to move in for the kill. Reef fishermen, in particular, endure plenty of disappointments from these attacks, often losing more than half their catch to the sharped-toothed predators. In some areas, sharks even key on the sound of boat engines, gathering before vessels get their lines in the water.

Fortunately, the Sharkbanz Zeppelin, the world’s first and only shark deterrent fishing tackle, can turn the tide. A new, science-based product that generates an electromagnetic field to fend off Nature’s eating machines, it’s already winning acclaim from veteran bottom bouncers wherever sharks may roam. Read more

Starting this month, the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy will offer classes at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon – commonly known as the RAM Center – giving you an opportunity to add an overnight stay on the shores of on Higgins Lake to your outdoor recreation education experience.

The first class at the RAM Center will be the June 19 Walleye Fishing Clinic.

Pro walleye tournament angler Dan Miller will cover the ins and outs of walleye fishing in this class that will go through how Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staffers, Pure Fishing pros and others spend their day chasing trophy walleye. Learn about seasonal activities, how to set up your boat and more. DNR staff will be on hand to answer any rules and regulations questions you may have. Plus, tips from a master taxidermist on how to care for your trophy fish when you catch it and want to have it mounted.

Cost for the class is $45, which includes lunch and instruction. To register, go to Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses and click on the “Purchase a license” button. Sign in (using either a username and password or your ID and birthdate), and find the class under the Outdoor Skills Academy tab. Read more