Gone Fishing event invites families to connect with the outdoors with free in-store kids’ fishing events, donations to youth non-profit groups and Johnny Morris’ Bass Pro Shops Kids’ Braggin’ Board

Johnny Morris, legendary angler, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops, from his heart says “Take a kid fishin’. You’ll be happy you did!” and is challenging families everywhere to get outside and enjoy the wonders of fishing and the great outdoors this summer with the Gone Fishing event.

To kick off this highly anticipated annual event, Johnny and Bass Pro Shops are donating more than 40,000 rods and reels to not-for-profit partners that help kids everywhere connect to the great outdoors. Read more

Funding will support projects in 13 Michigan counties

Nine conservation projects on lakes and streams throughout the state will share more than $1.1 million, courtesy of Fisheries Habitat Grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The funds are matched by more than $250,000 in partner contributions, for a total conservation value of over $1.4 million.

“We’re excited to support our partner organizations in projects to create healthier lakes and streams with healthier fish populations, better habitat and cleaner water,” said Randy Claramunt, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. “Our natural resources make Michigan an outdoor recreation destination, and these projects will provide long-lasting benefits to protect and enhance this appeal.”

The funded projects will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitats that provide the foundation for Michigan’s fisheries. Five of them are DNR Priority Habitat Conservation Projects — those proactively identified by the department as important to sustaining healthy habitats, fisheries and aquatic communities — and three are projects that directly benefit priorities of Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan. Read more

ALMANOR, California — It is with profound sorrow that the Bass Angler Magazine (BAM) Tournament Trail confirms the passing of kayak angler Ryon Mora, 38, during the BAM Kayak Series event held at Lake Almanor on May 17, 2025.

The day began like any other tournament morning, under cloudy skies and a light 3–4 mph breeze. At 6:37 a.m., BAM Tournament Director Michael Bray received an urgent call reporting an unmanned kayak on the lake. BAM staff, including CEO Mark Lassagne, immediately responded to the GPS location provided and located Ryon Mora in the water at approximately 6:42 a.m. Read more

Contacts: Seth Herbst, 517-388-7759 or Emily Martin, 231-495-1310

Ever wish you could get paid to fish? Well, don’t quit your day job, but do get out on the water this summer for the Midwest Walleye Challenge — you’ll have the chance to win cash prizes and provide useful information to fisheries biologists.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is partnering with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas on a statewide walleye fishing challenge that includes all inland waters in the state. The challenge runs from May 15 through June 29. Read more

Seeing a ferocious strike from a huge largemouth bass as it blows up on a topwater lure at sunrise or sunset is absolutely thrilling. To witness the power and aggressiveness on full display sends a collective shiver down the spine of any passionate angler; it’s also one of the most consistent ways to catch big bass throughout the hot summer months.

When it comes to topwater bass fishing, there are several categories of lures, which are effective in certain situations. Among the favorites are poppers, walkers and prop baits, as well as frogs. For this, we’ll just consider the first three since frogs fall in a category all their own.

Largemouth bass are ambush predators and are willing to strike nearly anything that comes into range. Read more

May 5, 2025
Contact: Brenda Madden, 906-286-1348

The Kids Fishing Day Team is thrilled to be celebrating the 32nd anniversary of its annual Kids Fishing Day this year.

The day of fun, fishing and families will be held Saturday, June 7 at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park, located on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Registration for Kids Fishing Day will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. (EDT) and the event will run until 3 p.m. All activities are free of charge and open to youth ages 16 years old and younger.

“We are excited to again hold our fishing event at the Pocket Park,” said Brenda Madden, longtime Kids Fishing Day team member and organizer. “It offers plenty of space for most all the traditional fun favorites at Kids Fishing Day events, plus some new activities, and the Pocket Park offers a beautiful natural-like setting right in the middle of Escanaba.”

Familiar activities returning include bluegill fishing, minnow races and face painting, along with free food and raffle prizes.

Greg Karch, certified angler instructor and founder of the non-profit organization Learn 2 Fish with Us, will be returning to the event this year to teach kids how to cast a fishing line and tie fishing knots.

Karch’s organization has educated more than 50,000 anglers in Wisconsin since 2006 and has hosted nearly 300 fishing workshops, including Kids Fishing Day at Camp 7 where he offered Backyard Bass for youngsters.

In addition, Smokey Bear will be wandering the grounds. There will also be a scavenger hunt and opportunities for kids to learn how to shoot at the Pocket Park’s archery and pellet gun ranges. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

The Rifle River has held a special place in my heart and the pop-up camper was loaded for another early season trek to the Michigan’s North country.  Running right through the Rifle River Recreation Area is one fine trout fishery, providing one can negotiate the maze of fallen ash trees killed by the invasive emerald ash borer.  Curses!  Some are hidden below the surface of the river and that presents its own fishing challenge.  Other bug-bit ash trees are everywhere making bank fishing nearly impossible.  However, I’ve found an intriguing eddy that always seems to hold good browns- most of which are over 14 inches in length and its fishable.

Michigan allows campsite reservations for the park, but they can’t be made earlier than six months in advance.  I’ve never had an issue getting the first week following opening weekend for my private site, but I make early reservations nonetheless.

In fact, I was the only person in the rustic camp by mid week.

The first catch of the trip was a sucker.

Oh, I realize they’re a favorite of those with a smoker, but I have no use for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t long before a hefty brown inhaled the tiny red worm and gave me a fierce battle with my Fenwick rod and Pfluger ultra-light reel and light line.

I was foolish not to have a measuring tape; however, that plastic tackle box the fish is on measures 14 3/4 inches.  Add another 3 inches or more and that’s close enough for me.  (I’ve already added a small tape measure to the kit).

In any event, another great solo trip for some fresh trout!

 

 

May 2, 2025

DNR reminds anglers of lake sturgeon fishing regulations and rehabilitation efforts

As spring arrives, anglers fishing in our rivers may unexpectedly find themselves with a lake sturgeon on the line. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that special regulations exist for lake sturgeon, and fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited except in a few locations in the state.

Can anglers fish for lake sturgeon?

In the Lower Peninsula, lake sturgeon may be encountered in places such as Manistee Lake, the Manistee River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River, the Grand River, the Kalamazoo River, and Saginaw Bay and its tributaries, but it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon in these waters; any lake sturgeon incidentally caught while targeting other species must immediately be released. Additionally:

• Never hold a sturgeon in a vertical position by its head, gill covers or tail.
• Never touch the fish’s eyes or gills.
• Handle the fish as little as possible.

Waters with sturgeon possession seasons include Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, Otsego Lake, the Menominee River and Black Lake. Waters with sturgeon fishing seasons (catch-and-release only) include the Detroit River, the St Marys River, Portage-Torch Lakes and the Ontonagon River.

In all other waters in the state of Michigan, it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon. (See Page 15 of the 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations for detailed information related to lake sturgeon.)

Anglers can report incidental (unintentional) capture of lake sturgeon and report illegal harvesting or targeting of lake sturgeon at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField or by calling the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline: 800-292-7800.

What is special about lake sturgeon? Read more

Get ready to go fishing!

Trout and other seasons open Saturday

It’s time to dust off your fishing gear and get ready to put that new fishing license to good use: trout and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 26.

Make plans with your fishing buddies or bring someone new this year to share in the fun!

Anglers should note that in Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike possession seasons open Thursday, May 15.

Michigan’s muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers opens Saturday, June 7 (catch-and-immediate-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year).

And don’t forget the catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. Check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations summary for specifics.

The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 24 — except for on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open Saturday, June 21.

Storm damage

Anglers should be aware of potential road and waterway obstructions, including downed trees and branches, due to recent ice storm damage in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Find up-to-date information about closures and conditions on the DNR storm recovery page. Read more