The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers to remove ice shanties from Upper Peninsula bodies of water by midnight Wednesday, March 31.

The deadline for removing ice shanties from Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters was March 15. All other bodies of water in the Upper Peninsula must have ice shanties removed by midnight Wednesday, March 31.

Shanty owners whose structures fall through the ice are subject to penalties of up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $500, or both. If a shanty is removed by a government agency, the court can require the owner to reimburse that agency for up to three times the cost of removal.

Daily use of ice shanties is permitted anywhere in Michigan if ice conditions permit and if the shanties are removed from the ice at the end of each day. Read more

Muskegon River anglers should be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam this spring. Electrofishing boats will be on the water this week, starting Thursday, March 25, and work should conclude by April 16. People who want to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream.

The DNR asks the public to use caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. Anyone wading nearby when boats approach will be asked to exit the water to ensure everyone’s safety.

To maintain effective social distancing and allow fisheries staff to safely, efficiently collect eggs, the DNR also asks people not to gather at egg collection sites.

“The annual Muskegon River egg take is a critical operation for statewide walleye management,” said Jim Dexter, DNR Fisheries Division chief. “We’re planning to collect about 32 million walleye eggs during this effort.”

That collective egg take will result in fry (fish that have just hatched) 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

NSSF Announces How Industry Benefits from Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax Payments

With support from an AFWA grant, new study reveals

long-term value to industry and firearm owners alike

NEWTOWN, Conn. – Each year firearm and ammunition manufacturers pay millions of dollars in excise taxes into the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program that result in long-term benefits to industry, target shooters and hunters. A new study, announced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, reveals how these payments—some $792 million in 2020 alone—provide not only bedrock funding for enjoyment of the shooting sports but also a major return on investment for industry.

With support from a grant awarded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Multistate Conservation Grant program, a new report titled “Benefits & ROI of Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Funds” highlights for industry leaders the financial returns their businesses receive from investing in the WSFR program. Read more

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS – March 10, 2021. American Baitworks has set a new standard in performance and affordability with the all-new Halo HFX Series Fishing Rods. The HFX Series has an impressive 13 rod models – 4 Spinning and 9 Casting, to cover virtually every length and action any angler could ask for.

“Anglers demand a lot from their fishing rods – performance and value are always at the top of that list.” says Halo Fishing Rods President, Walt Roberts. “We are seeing a shift in fishing where anglers are expanding their rod arsenal as they adapt and learn new techniques. We developed the HFX series to cover multiple techniques from Finesse to Power fishing.”

Halo Fishing starts each rod with unbeatable blanks, constructed of the highest-quality Japanese graphite. When Halo designed the all-new HFX Series, we did exactly that – with Toray graphite blanks that deliver ultimate sensitivity, in casting and spinning models from 6’10” to 7’11” in medium light to extra heavy actions. Read more

Last week, was a first report from a state agencies warning that the tiny, but pervasive zebra mussel had been found alive and well inside a “moss ball” of aquarium plants. Today, it seems that first warning was only a harbinger of problems ahead. The trickle of reports became a flood.

Yesterday, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) reached out, wanting help to spread the word. As they pointed out, the zebra mussel has proven “impossible to eradicate once a colony is established, causing irreversible ecosystem damage, destroying habitat, and killing native species.”

That’s a lot of damage from a teeny little mollusk, but anyone who’s seen the damage caused to the Great Lakes and anything that’s floating on or attached to them that’s had a little visit from the zebra mussel understands it’s really not an overstatement.

Initially, the “moss ball” products that have included the mussels were thought to have been sold in Petco and PetSmart stores around the country. Now, it seems the problem was far more pervasive as the “moss balls” were also sold online as well- and shipped nationwide. If you bought a “Betta Buddy Marimo Ball” or “Mini Marimo Moss Ball” you may have unintentionally brought an invasive species into your aquarium. It seems that these have even been included with the purchase of betta fish. Both Petco and PetSmart have discontinued selling them, but everyone is being asked to be on the alert. Read more

A healthy, abundant walleye population is a big part of Michigan’s fisheries. These native fish provide exciting opportunities for world-class recreational fishing and play an important ecological role as a top predator. Though several local, regional and Great Lakes-centric walleye plans exist, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has drafted the first statewide walleye plan focused on inland waters – and is asking the public’s help in finalizing it.

The draft version of the “Management Plan for Walleye in Michigan’s Inland Waters” is available for review and written comment through April 1. All comments should be sent via email to DNR-Walleye@Michigan.gov.

Seth Herbst, the DNR’s aquatic species and regulatory affairs manager, is leading the initiative. He said this draft plan was developed to guide the department’s management effort toward maximizing both angler satisfaction and the ecological benefits of walleye fisheries. Read more