Category: Fishing

Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has passed the historic Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), which represents the single greatest commitment to increasing public access and advancing conservation in a lifetime, on a strong bipartisan vote of 73-25.

The Great American Outdoors Act will provide $9.5 billion over 5 years to address the crumbling infrastructure on America’s public lands and waters. While the National Park Service will receive $6.5 billion in funding, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) led a successful effort to secure the inclusion of $3 billion to repair and maintain public land infrastructure overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which provides critically important recreational opportunities for America’s sportsmen and women.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Today’s vote demonstrates the bipartisan support for advancing conservation and increasing access for hunters and anglers,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “When signed into law, this bill will provide much needed support for public lands and waters and boost the already formidable outdoor economy. CSF extends our sincere thanks to the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) members that voted to support these priorities.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan: Boaters Beware of Hidden Debris

Many areas around Michigan have experienced damaging impacts of record or near-record high water levels that have caused extensive erosion and inundated infrastructure. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and its partners on the High Water Action Team warn those who recreate on the water to watch out for debris in lakes or rivers or along the shores due to the high water levels.

As lake levels have risen, the impact is being felt in a number of ways. Along the Great Lakes, erosion and storms have undermined docks, decks, stairs and trees and washed the debris away from the shoreline. On inland lakes, high water can inundate marinas, yards or public property, making it difficult to see structures in the water.

“As Michiganders take to the water for recreation, they should use more caution and be aware of dangers that can be lurking in the water, either floating on the surface or submerged by record high water levels,” said Jay Eickholt, EGLE’s Emergency Management Coordinator. “As always, follow all boating regulations and wear life-saving equipment when out on the water. And avoid any debris to protect your watercraft and keep everyone safe.” Read more

Fishing

Humminbird® MEGA 360 Imaging™ Now Available for Any Boat

RACINE, Wis. – Humminbird’s exclusive MEGA 360 Imaging™ technology, the winner of “Best of Electronics” at ICAST 2019, is now available to more anglers with the introduction of new MEGA 360 Imaging–Universal.

Humminbird’s MEGA 360 Imaging is now available as an independently-mounted model that no longer requires a trolling motor to get the very best sonar views on the water. When paired with a compatible Humminbird control head, anglers can surround their boat with incredible detail of fish and structure, up to 125’ in all directions. MEGA 360 Imaging is the only sonar technology that gives anglers a high-resolution, 360-degree view without needing to adjust or steer the transducer, which leaves anglers handsfree to catch fish. With ultra-clear underwater views, MEGA 360 Imaging makes it easy to mark and identify fish, so that every cast is productive.

“Humminbird’s MEGA 360 Imaging-Universal was born out of the necessity to not limit the MEGA 360 Imaging technology only to anglers using a trolling motor.” said Matt Cook, Humminbird brand manager. “We want any angler to be able to improve their fishing with this cutting-edge technology, regardless of how their boat is equipped. This new model does that by allowing more anglers to outfit their boat to with the unmatched detail and fish-finding clarity of MEGA 360 Imaging.” Read more

Fishing

Mobile (Underwater) Gaming for Your Boat

Upgrades, great value make Aqua-Vu® micro 4.3 Stealth™ the perfect Dad’s Day Gift

Crosslake, MN – You never know what’s living right beneath the planks of the dock, or hovering beneath the hull of the moored pontoon, or hiding within the limbs of the downed willow tree. You won’t know about some of the most fish-rich areas of the lake, that is, unless you deploy your underwater optics. To the fish themselves, artificial overhead cover provides the most obviously comfortable, appealing territory in any neighborhood, regardless of the lake. And in many lakes, given ample depth, these hotspots can harbor great numbers of bass, crappies and other fish across multiple seasons. The trick lies in identifying exactly where the fish are hiding and how they’re positioned relative to the cover. Read more
Fishing

Michigan: Watch Thursday’s NRC Meeting Live Online

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s next regular meeting is Thursday, June 11. Due to COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines, the meeting will be hosted in an online format.

You can watch the meeting live online using this link. Those who want to provide public comment for the meeting should call 517-284-5808 or email NRC@Michigan.gov.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. with the Committee of the Whole, and the agenda includes updates on:

    • Mandatory elk hunt orientation changes.
    • The 2019 deer harvest survey report.
    • Deer hunting regulations.
    • Several land transactions.

Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Senate Takes Significant Step toward Final Passage of Great American Outdoors Act

Yesterday, the Senate took a monumental step toward passing the historic Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), which represents the single greatest commitment to increasing public access and advancing conservation in a lifetime, by voting to proceed to final consideration of the bill on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 80-17.

S. 3422 will provide $9.5 billion over 5 years to address the crumbling infrastructure on America’s public lands and waters. While the National Park Service will receive $6.5 billion in funding, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked to secure the inclusion of $3 billion in funding to be set aside to repair and maintain public land infrastructure overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which are critically important to providing recreational opportunities to sportsmen and women. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan creel clerks hope to connect with anglers this summer

As this year’s open-water fishing season gets underway, anglers at many lakes, rivers and Great Lakes ports may encounter DNR fisheries staff members collecting data about their fishing experiences.

“The information we gather from anglers helps us get a clearer picture about fish health, movement and population trends throughout Michigan,” said DNR fisheries biologist Tracy Claramunt. “We really appreciate anglers taking a few minutes to talk with us.”

Creel clerks are stationed at boat launches and piers around the state, asking people questions as they return from fishing trips. Trip length, target species and number and type of fish caught provide valuable data for the DNR’s statewide angler survey program. In some cases, clerks may ask to measure or weigh fish and to take scales or other body parts for aging – data that is key to helping the DNR manage state fisheries. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: enjoy free fishing this weekend, June 13-14

Grab a fishing rod and enjoy some fine Michigan fishing during the 2020 Summer Free Fishing Weekend. This year, it’s Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14 – two full days when everyone can fish without a license (though all other fishing regulations still apply).

During Free Fishing Weekends, the DNR waives the Recreation Passport entry fee normally required for vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas; however, the passport requirement has already been suspended until further notice.

The DNR has offered Free Fishing Weekends since 1986 as a way to promote awareness of the state’s vast aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match. Read more

Fishing

Michigan teachers find quick, creative ways to complete salmon’s journey

The future of 45,000 baby salmon hung in the balance as schools across Michigan abruptly closed their doors in March. The normal date for releasing fish raised as part of the DNR’s Salmon in the Classroom program is between April 15 and May 15, but the state’s coronavirus emergency required a swift change.

This year’s program included nearly 300 teachers from across the state. Each classroom raises 150 Chinook salmon, from egg to smolt – the “young adult” phase of life – followed by a spring release in an approved waterway. Students help care for the fish, while teachers use provided curriculum to teach about ecology, Great Lakes concerns, natural resources stewardship and more.

When many teachers found themselves locked out of buildings and needed to quickly, and safely, release their fish, program coordinator Tracy Page worked with other experts at the DNR to create a plan. Page said the teachers jumped into action with “care and compassion for their classroom fish friends.”

Sarah Cartwright, seventh grade science teacher at Berkley’s Norup International School in Oakland County, had just 20 minutes to get fish out of the tank.

“That was a challenge, as they usually do not like getting caught,” Cartwright said. With her two young children in tow, she met the school’s sixth grade science teacher in Rochester Hills at the Clinton River – a site approved by DNR fisheries biologists – to release Norup International School’s 114 successfully raised and healthy fish.

In many areas of the state, some teachers were able to practice social distancing and use COVID-19 cleaning protocols that allowed them to enter buildings for short periods of time to feed fish, clean tanks and record educational content for students. Read more

Fishing

Michigan DNR announces opening dates for campgrounds, harbors and other outdoor spaces

As Michigan moves to Stage 4 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start plan, the Department of Natural Resources has determined official opening dates for state park and state forest campgrounds, state harbors and other DNR-managed outdoor spaces – just in time for the summer season.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most state parks, state-managed trails and boating access sites stayed open to provide local opportunities for outdoor recreation. At the same time, the DNR worked behind the scenes to prepare to fully open sites and facilities once the department could again perform nonessential work and hire and train summer park workers. Learn more about what it will take to get campgrounds open this year. Read more

Fishing, General
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