GW: Some of the best trout fishing in the world has gotten better.

Blue Ribbon Fisheries are waterbodies that provide some of Utah’s most exceptional, high-quality fishing experiences. The program that designates and helps fund these fisheries recently allocated over $440,000 toward 11 projects aimed at enhancing these waterbodies so they retain their elite status.

There are currently 43 waterbodies in addition to two mountain areas in Utah — streams, rivers and lakes on the Uinta mountains and on Boulder Mountain — that hold this Blue Ribbon status. The Blue Ribbon Fisheries program was created in 2001 by then-Gov. Mike Leavitt, and was formally established in 2005 through an executive order by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman.

“The program was created because Utah’s leaders recognized that fishing is one of the state’s most popular and economically valuable recreational activities,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “There was a need to recognize the best angling opportunities in the state and to provide additional funding for further improvements to keep them at that level. This program helps fulfill those needs.”

In order to be named a Blue Ribbon Fishery, a waterbody has to meet several requirements and provide highly satisfying fishing and recreational experiences for diverse groups of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The waterbodies are selected and reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council, which is a representative committee of 13 anglers appointed by the governor. Read more

Connect-Ease® 2.0 PRO 24, Pro 36 Trolling Connection Kits provides anglers with quick, easy, and reliable rigging systems (w/onboard charging) for today’s newest 12-, 24-, and 36-volt trolling motors and lithium or AGM batteries

For anglers or recreational boaters running today’s newest brushed or brushless, direct-drive, and more powerful 12-, 24-, and 36-volt bow-mount trolling motors, Connect-Ease is proud to introduce the Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO Trolling Motor Connection systems w/and w/o Onboard Charging, which features heavier-duty 6-gauge wire (a power requirement change over previous 8 gauge) and many other engineering advances.

For 36-volt trolling motors like the new Minn Kota QUEST Series, Garmin Force Kraken, Lowrance GHOST, Power-Pole MOVE, Rhodan HD GPS, Newport Vessels NV and MotorGuide Tour Pro, the Connect-Ease 2.0 36V Series PRO Trolling Motor Connection Kit W/Onboard Charging is incredibly easy-to-install, protects your investment, and offers peace of mind while fishing mission-critical, tournament or big-water situations. Read more

Angler Mitch Holland couldn’t believe his luck.

Almost a week to the day since he caught a brown trout measuring roughly 29 inches, he was back in the same spot at the exact same moment — 7:31 a.m. — of the Little Red River with a nearly identical big brown trout suddenly at the end of his line. He secured the fish, took a photo and released it back to the Greers Ferry Lake tailwater, just as he had eight days earlier.

And Holland wondered, considering the fish seemed the same size as his previous catch, and he was in the same vicinity and at the same time of morning: Could this have been the same trout?

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Communications Division forwarded that query on to Christy Graham, the AGFC’s Trout Management Program coordinator, who had an answer. Read more

Norsk® Lithium provides the perfect power solution for every level of kayak angler

Kayak fishing has grown far past paddling a repurposed recreational kayak into a small pond with a spincast rod & reel combo. With vast improvements in boat design, the emergence of kayak fishing tournaments, clubs, and networks of anglers coast to coast, south to north, the sport has become as sophisticated as regular multi-species boat angling.

Some kayak anglers’ boats look like mini bass boats, fully outfitted with numerous graphs, forward-facing sonar, shallow-water anchors, a trolling motor, and other power-hungry accessories. Read more

Various considerations must be made when selecting the right rod transport rack for any watercraft. These include the vessel’s size, the space the racks will occupy, and the capacity to accommodate different rod types. Ultimately, anglers require a rack that complements their boat and fulfills their fishing requirements.

Millennium Marine makes that choice easier with its R-300 Rod Transport Rack. It’s heavy-duty, easy to assemble, and gives anglers the most transport bang for the buck for any size craft. The R-300 Rod Transport Rack is perfect for group fishing trips and excursions, featuring easy removal and sure lock adjustments with SpyderLok teeth.

The R-300 Rod Transport Rack, made of heavy-duty anodized aluminum, is a versatile solution for anglers. Weighing just 11 pounds and assembling in about 10 minutes, it’s perfect for multi-species anglers who value space on their craft while transporting several different types of rods. Read more

Looking for another reason to get on the water? How about the Midwest Walleye Challenge? 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 and runs through June 30.

The MyCatch mobile app maintains anonymous location data, so anglers’ secret spots stay secret, while Michigan DNR fisheries biologists get valuable information – generalized lake and river catch data entered via the app – to better assess and manage walleye populations. Specific catch locations from anglers are not listed on public leaderboards.

“We’re interested to see what new information we can learn from Midwest Walleye Challenge participation,” said Seth Herbst, manager of the DNR Fisheries Division’s Research Section. “We have hundreds of waters in the state where we manage for walleye, but because of the vast amount of lakes and rivers in Michigan we have a limited ability to monitor the status of those fisheries.

“The challenge provides a unique opportunity to supplement our survey data and have a better understanding of the status of walleye populations throughout the state. In particular, we are excited to learn whether our walleye stocking efforts are resulting in successful trips for anglers. The more anglers who join this challenge, the better data we’ll have for future management decisions.”

The challenge

This year’s challenge includes several states across the Midwest and into Canada as part of a larger fisheries research project funded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Michigan anglers compete only against Michigan anglers for biweekly prizes, while all catches from across the Midwest qualify for the grand prize drawings at the end of the event. Full details about prizes and qualifications are available on the prizes tab of the main event webpage.

Participants can choose the free entry option to qualify for noncash prizes or pay the $25 fee to qualify for all prizes, including cash payouts.

REGISTER TODAY

Michigan anglers can register for the Midwest Walleye Challenge and get in the game!

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