Category: Fishing

Michigan: new regulations for popular Benzie County salmon fishing location

Changes near Homestead Dam on Betsie River in effect for 2020 fall salmon run

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission today adopted regulation changes to Fisheries Order 204 – in effect starting Friday, Sept. 11, and for the remainder of the 2020 fall salmon run – that closes the Betsie River Homestead Dam in Benzie County to fishing within 300 feet of the lamprey barrier and fish passage facility from Aug. 1 to Nov. 15. Read more

Fishing

Electric Hydroplane Hits the Water in Europe

Making boats electric is inherently difficult. A 7,5m long planing recreational boat consumes 12-18 times more fuel than a family car. At the same time, one kg of gasoline contains ~15 times more usable energy than one kg of the most compact batteries. Because of this, electric boats are not viewed as a viable alternative to combustion engine boats. Existing models are slow or have a very limited range. The current market for electric boats is consequently small, estimated to be less than 1%. The energy equation must be solved.

Since 2015, the team behind Candela Speed Boat AB is determined to find ways to make electric boats with both range and speed. The team consist of some of the leading experts in their respective fields with backgrounds from Eurocopter (structural composite engineering), Saab Gripen (flight control electronics), Artemis and Oracle racing (America’s Cup, hydrodynamics), Scania (transmission & hydraulics) and the Technical University of Denmark (dynamic modelling and software algorithms). In addition, the company is managed by people with many years of senior management and CEO-level experience from both start-ups and large global corporations.

Target reached!

At the end of 2016, a full-scale prototype was launched and, after some fine tuning, the target of more than 50 nautical miles per charge in 20 knots was reached! That has never been achieved by an electric pleasure boat before. The journey up until this point can be seen here.

The achieved range is ~4 times higher than the best electric boats currently on the market and is close to or on par with combustion engine boats of the same size. Read more

Fishing

Preparing for Time Outdoors

By Rachel Coale
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Difference between a great day in the forest and a scary one comes down to planning

Ron Swanson, a fictional character from the quirky TV comedy “Parks and Rec,” is known for his firm ideas about enjoying the outdoors: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing and means of transportation.”

We’re inclined to agree with the spirit of his statement, although we don’t recommend hitting the trail in stormy weather.

Preparing for everything from a bee sting to a bear sighting is the best way to have an enjoyable adventure, especially if you’re heading into the wilder side of Michigan’s public lands – state forests.

State forests are rugged areas with few amenities, smaller crowds than other outdoor attractions and more to explore. How much more? Michigan’s state forests, at 3.85 million acres, have more than six times the space of our state parks and game areas combined.

State forests are mostly located in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula – “knuckles north” on your trusty Michigan mitten hand-map.

For some, these areas are a peaceful place to connect with nature, while for others, they offer a thrilling challenge to hike, mountain bike or horseback ride.

Here’s the lowdown on preparing for some of the hazards you might face on a state forest adventure. The list includes all-around tips for newbies who are just getting started and reminders for veteran outdoor enthusiasts to restock their kits. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan: significant maintenance work completed at Reedsburg Dam in Missaukee County

Significant maintenance work completed at Reedsburg Dam in Missaukee County; DNR will slowly raise water levels

Visitors to the Reedsburg Dam and flooding this fall will notice the many structural upgrades that have been completed to increase safety and ease of operation. With that work finished, the area again will provide the rich and diverse outdoor recreation experiences that regularly draw anglers, birders, waterfowl hunters, kayakers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts to this site in Missaukee County, Michigan.

The decision to upgrade the Reedsburg Dam stemmed from a broader evaluation of several dams managed by the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. A 2016 inspection of the Reedsburg Dam – one of the largest structures on the division’s list – showed the structure to be in fairly good shape, but with some priority actions needing to be addressed. Read more

Fishing

Boston Whaler Introduces Family Oriented 240 Vantage

EDGEWATER, Fla.— Boston Whaler has unveiled the newest member of its award-winning Vantage series: the all-new 240 Vantage. Whaler President Nick Stickler introduced the model during a Facebook Live event, in which members of the boat’s development team were on hand to demonstrate key features and functionality.

“The 240 Vantage is incredibly versatile and customizable,” said Stickler. “We call it the ‘Swiss Army knife of boating.’ Just like our new 280 Vantage, the 240 is ideal for boaters who want to take advantage of everything the water has to offer.”

The 240 Vantage is well suited to a wide range of activities, including fishing, cruising, beaching, water sports, entertaining and more. Conversation-friendly seating can be found throughout the boat, from the plush bow lounge seats to the convenient foldaway aft seat. Across from the captain, you’ll find Whaler’s innovative portside lounge seating, which converts to multiple positions: facing forward, facing aft, or laid flat to serve as the perfect napping spot. Read more

Fishing

Yacht Owner Gets $100,000 Fine for Hawaii Island Coral Damage

(Honolulu) – The dropping of the Formosa’s anchor on coral in Kailua Bay on Hawai‘i island in October 2018 has resulted in the luxury yacht owners being ordered to pay $100,000 to the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), which will go to supporting coral reef management and restoration in West Hawai‘i.

The State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted last Friday to approve the settlement agreement with the Formosa Wealth Management Group (FWM), owners of the 197-foot luxury yacht. DAR informed the board that a prosecution against FWM could provide difficult because it operates under a foreign flag.

DAR’s submittal to the BLNR showed the vessel violated Hawai?i Administrative Rules by breaking and damaging approximately 431 coral colonies of stony coral and approximately 150-square feet of live rock, when the Formosa dropped anchor in the Kailua Bay Zone of the Kona Coast Fishery Management Area. Read more

Fishing, General

Michigan: Delta County Fish Kill Blamed on “Black Liquor” From Paper Mill

Officials with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said a recent fish kill along the southern reaches of the Escanaba River at Gladstone was the result of a pipe failure at Verso Corporation’s Escanaba Paper Mill.

“We have been sampling and monitoring the river at numerous points since this incident occurred,” said Tom Asmus, who monitors compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program for EGLE in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Under the Clean Water Act, the program controls point source discharges of pollutants to waters of the U.S. “All indications are that the environmental conditions in the river have recovered.”

The fish kill, which affected at least a dozen species, was reported Sunday Aug. 9 to EGLE and Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel, who responded the following day.

Dead fish – including northern pike, bass, walleye and other sportfish – were found by anglers and personnel from the two state agencies downstream of Verso’s paper mill, specifically, from Dam No. 2 to the mouth of the river at Lake Michigan, a distance of roughly 3 miles. Read more

Fishing

NFWF Announces More Than $640,000 in Grants to Reduce the Impacts of Derelict Fishing Gear

Grants from the Fishing for Energy program will support innovation and comprehensive management of derelict fishing gear to protect and restore the quality of marine and coastal habitats

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $643,500 in grants to support strategies that reduce the impacts of derelict fishing gear to marine and coastal environments and navigational safety in Alaska, Florida, Maine and Washington. The grants will generate $226,500 in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $870,000.

The projects supported by the four grants will result in fishing gear innovations and comprehensive management techniques that prevent the negative impacts of derelict gear on the environment, and decrease the threats it poses to key species. This work supports the management of derelict fishing gear that results in a continuing and long-term plan and efforts for dealing with the gear.

The grants were awarded through the Fishing for Energy program, a partnership between NFWF, Covanta, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. This year, additional funding was provided by Shell Oil Company and through community service funds arising from a federal environmental prosecution. Read more

Fishing

Secretary Bernhardt Announces Historic Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on Public Lands

New hunting and fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres at 138 national wildlife refuges and nine national fish hatcheries

SAGINAW, MI – Continuing the Trump Administration’s unprecedented efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced today at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge the historic opening and expansion of over 850 hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 147 national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. This rule is the single largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in history.

“On the heels of President Trump signing the most significant conservation and recreation funding in US history, providing nearly $20 billion over the next 10 years to fix and conserve the American people’s public lands, the Trump Administration has now made an additional 2.3 million acres accessible to new hunting and fishing opportunities,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “We continue to take significant actions to further conservation initiatives and support sportsmen and women who are America’s true conservationists.”

The final rule opens or expands 859 hunting and fishing opportunities (an opportunity is defined as one species on one field station in one state). On top of last year’s expansion of 1.4 million acres for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, this proposal would bring the Trump Administration’s total expansion to over 4 million acres nationwide.

“The Trump Administration and Secretary Bernhardt have made access to public lands for hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation a priority beginning day one. Hunting and fishing are a part of our American history, and we continue to ensure we provide opportunities for these activities which epitomize our American heritage,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “Furthermore, we have maintained our commitment to promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden by working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities.”

This rule increases the number of units in the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System open to public hunting to 430 and those open to fishing to 360. The rule also formally brings the total number of National Fish Hatchery System units open to hunting or sport fishing to 21. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

State of the Great Lakes Report Online

Engaging future generations of water stewards, Michigan’s actions to protect drinking water and the impact of high lake levels across the state are among the topics featured in the annual State of the Great Lakes report, released this week by the Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) in conjunction with Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week.

The report looks at significant issues that affected the Great Lakes and Michigan’s residents in 2019. It also recognizes accomplishments in protecting and restoring water resources for public use, recreation, fish and wildlife, and commerce.

“Michigan and its community partners are committed to supporting restoration efforts that will keep the Great Lakes fishable, swimmable and drinkable today and in the future,” said Liesl Clark, director of the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). “It’s imperative that we continue to build collaborations to achieve significant water improvements for the benefit of generations to come.”

The State of the Great Lakes report includes features about new offices within EGLE responsible for climate, environmental justice, and clean drinking water; new lead and copper and PFAS standards for drinking water; work to halt Asian carp from advancing into the Great Lakes; research into harmful algal blooms; student and community water literacy programs; Soo Lock expansion developments; high water impacts around the state; and the status of cruising on the Great Lakes. Read more

Fishing
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