ANN ARBOR, Mich.– A new film released today explores the national scope of the problems caused by invasive Asian carp. The film focuses on the impact Asian carp have on the values and economies they threaten in the Great Lakes and the impacts they’re currently having in Southern and Midwestern waters. Furthermore, it highlights what’s needed to stop them. Against the Current, released by the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center, features diverse viewpoints representing scientific, tribal, business, tourism, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation communities from northern Michigan to Tennessee.

“We deliberately explored the often underpublicized – but extremely important – values at risk from invasive Asian carp across a wide swath of the country.” said Drew YoungeDyke, director of conservation partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center and executive producer of the film. “We often hear of potential impacts to the Great Lakes sport fishery but we also wanted to show the threat to connected inland waters, tribal fisheries, and the outdoor recreation and tourism economies. We hear frustration that nothing is being done about Asian carp, so we wanted to show some of the projects already completed, as well as the things that still need to be done to stop Asian carp. We wanted to show the impact they’re already having in places that we don’t often hear about like inland rivers in Indiana, and in ways we don’t often hear about like property values and even duck hunting in Tennessee. The film shows that Asian carp aren’t just a Great Lakes fishing issue, they’re a national issue affecting our waters, our economies, and our way of life.” Read more

Ice Adapter Kit Gives Anglers 360-Degree View on Hardwater

RACINE, Wis. – Humminbird’s® exclusive MEGA 360 Imaging™ sonar has provided anglers with unrivaled detail in every direction around their boat. With the introduction of the new MEGA 360 Imaging Ice Adapter, Humminbird brings that exclusive technology to ice fishermen.

Humminbird’s MEGA 360 Imaging Ice Adapter allows anglers to utilize the MEGA 360 transducer to see a clear and sharp view under the ice, up to 125 feet around the hole. Ice anglers can eliminate the guesswork and quickly find structure and fish without drilling as many holes, track schools of fish as they move, and know which direction the fish are headed. Read more

Conservation Agent Eric Abbott nabbed four men handfishing and possessing this fish in the Tarkio River in Atchison County in August 2012. Abbott released the large flathead, topping 40 pounds, back into the river.

MDC Staff

Q: What is noodling?

A: Noodling is a common term for hand-fishing.

This is the method of reaching underwater into natural cavities formed in riverbanks or by tree roots, logs, or rocks and capturing a catfish by hand. When the catfish bites onto the hand, the noodler pulls the fish off the nest and out of the water. This method is primarily used to catch flathead catfish and blue catfish in Missouri when these fish are spawning or nesting in small rivers or streams.

Q: How popular is noodling or hand-fishing?

A: The common estimate is about 2,000 people in Missouri hand-fish. That number could top almost 13,000 if the practice was legalized.

A Missouri Department of Conservation survey of Missouri anglers shows that about 4.6 percent of those surveyed would be “very likely” to participate in hand-fishing if it was legalized. Based on fishing permit sales, that number could amount to almost 13,000 noodlers statewide.

Q: If other states allow hand-fishing, why does the Conservation Commission of Missouri oppose it? Read more

WOODLAND, Washington — Action, sensitivity, and purposeful construction are the driving forces behind G. Loomis’ new line of IMX-PRO Ice rods, a 12-model lineup that will be available at tackle shops in early October. The IMX-PRO Ice series includes 5 rods with solid graphite blank construction for panfish and lighter applications as well as 7 tubular graphite blank rods for targeting walleye, northern pike, lake trout, and other larger species.

The G. Loomis crew began the development of the IMX-PRO Ice rods in January of 2019 during a trip to Lake of the Woods, perfectly coinciding with the week of the infamous ‘Polar Vortex’ weather event As the crew ventured out onto the ice in morning temperatures hovering at 50 below zero — and never going above 30 below zero for nearly four days —they experienced ice fishing in its utmost extreme. “Knowing that our goal was to design the best ice rods for any and all conditions, we quickly learned our full cork grip design and the use of REC recoil guides was a must,” said David Brinkerhoff with G. Loomis’ design team. “Our continued research in much better weather conditions during later trips that season as well as last winter led us to utilizing split-cork grips on our lighter power rods to enhance strike detection and hook-setting performance.” Read more

RACINE, Wis.,– Since the initial release, anglers at all levels have enjoyed the fish-finding advantages of the Humminbird® HELIX® series of fish finders. Now, Humminbird is introducing the fourth generation (G4N) HELIX models, delivering more technology than ever, with a wide range of features and screen sizes suitable for any fishing application. The new HELIX G4N Series gives anglers the latest in innovative imaging technology, with MEGA Imaging+™, and a variety of screen sizes from 8-inch to the new 15.4-inch display, ensuring there is a HELIX G4N to fit any angler’s needs. The new HELIX 15 model boasts a giant 15.4”, ultra-bright and crystal-clear display to see all of the details provided by exclusive Humminbird sonar, navigation and networking technologies.

“Humminbird has always been dedicated to putting the most innovative technologies in the hands of anglers, and the new HELIX G4N Series does just that,” said Matt Cook, Humminbird Brand Manager. “With the introduction of HELIX G4N models, anglers have the ability to focus on productive water and catch more fish.” Read more