The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is awarding more than $1.7 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants for conservation projects on lakes and streams statewide. The funds are matched by more than $950,000 in partner contributions, for a total conservation value of about $2.7 million.

“These grants provide critical funding for projects that yield cleaner water, healthier fish populations and better aquatic habitats – all of which make the outdoors safer and more enjoyable for residents,” said Randy Claramunt, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. “Our natural resources have always been central to Michigan’s appeal as an outdoor recreation destination, and creative, collaborative projects like these make a lasting, positive impact on those resources.”

The projects will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitats that provide the foundation for Michigan’s world-class fisheries. Two 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 another four are projects that directly benefit priorities of Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan.

The Fisheries Habitat Grant program provides funding for a variety of activities including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreation opportunities such as fishing. Funding from fishing license sales, state of Michigan general funds and a settlement with Consumers Energy is distributed through three grant areas: aquatic habitat conservation, dam management, and aquatic habitat and recreation in the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river watersheds.

Most of the funding is distributed through traditional grants that are funded this year, but the Fisheries Habitat Grant program also provides conditional commitments for funding from future years. These conditional commitments enable partners to leverage future Fisheries Habitat Grant funds in applications for federal and other funding sources, making high-priority and sometimes very expensive projects possible.

Joe Nohner, a resource analyst with the DNR Fisheries Division, said the funded projects will protect and rehabilitate aquatic habitats across the state, while in many cases also improving public safety through the removal of dams.

“These projects are critical to strengthening and maintaining populations of fishes and other aquatic species,” Nohner said. “They will improve fish migration in over 327 miles of Michigan streams and boost public safety through the removal of three dams and seven culverts.”

Supporting work in 12 counties Read more

Johnny Morris, legendary angler, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder, recently announced a personal donation of $200,000 to the nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which when added to a $200,000 grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, makes a total donation of $400,000 for the transformative work to restore Lake George.

These announcements, set against the backdrop of the elite competition at the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, come at a critical juncture for Lake George, whose vital aquatic vegetation — a linchpin for the ecosystem and pivotal for prized freshwater fish like the Florida largemouth bass — is under threat. Hurricanes Matthew and Irma significantly damaged the lake’s aquatic vegetation. In response, FWC increased monitoring and restoration efforts to bring back this crucial habitat.

“We are honored and excited to be able to support this important work in one of the most iconic and celebrated fisheries for bass anywhere in the world,” Morris said. “We’re proud to stand alongside our customers in advocating for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts in supporting this important conservation project. Maintaining the health of Lake George will ensure its future for generations of anglers and everyone to enjoy.” Read more

Connect-Ease® RCE24VBCHK & RCE24VSCK Kit Systems Offer Anglers Plug & Play Solutions For Rigging 24V Trolling Motors and Batteries

One of the hassles of fishing is dealing with boat batteries, whether you use lead acid, AGM, gel, or lithium. Ultimately, we all want our electronics and trolling motor to work flawlessly on the water, providing enough power to see us through a long day filling the live well—or a couple days—without the need for recharging.

And anglers’ boats come in all sizes, shapes, and species-specific styles. From fishing kayaks to 14- and 16-foot all-purpose fishing boats, to dual “cast & blast” jon boats, to walleye and bass boats, center consoles, and big water rigs, anglers use all kinds of vessels to chase gamefish.

And here’s a fact: Most anglers in the U.S. do not run big, fancy boats requiring the latest in 36V trolling motors. Reality is, the majority of anglers fish from rigs with 12 or 24V trolling motors, which supply more than enough power, whether used on the bow or transom. Read more

DNR asks anglers to report tagged brown trout for new Rifle River study

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking Rifle River and Saginaw Bay anglers to keep an eye out for brown trout with a tag or clip and to report information about these fish as part of a new study.

This spring, the DNR initiated a pilot study to gauge brown trout movement in the Rifle River and their exchange between the river and Saginaw Bay. Over the next two years, approximately 20 brown trout in this vicinity will be tagged with an internal acoustic telemetry tag. Acoustic tags, also called transmitters, send a series of pings to nearby receivers, which essentially act as underwater computers anchored to the lake bottom. These tags connect with the network of receivers in Saginaw Bay and the main basin to collect fish movement information.

Local anglers recently have reported an increase in catch rates of lake-run brown trout. The Rifle River is annually stocked with the Sturgeon River strain of brown trout to create a resident stream fishery, but this strain of the species can exhibit lake-run behavior, meaning that they migrate from the river to the Great Lakes. This pilot study will provide preliminary data to determine the extent to which this may be occurring and assist the DNR with future management decisions. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

The pop-up camper was loaded well in advance of what has become an annual trek for trout at the Rifle River Recreation Area in Michigan’s Otsego County. All manner of gear was neatly stowed, as my friend, Terry, and I headed north for a few days of fishing excitement. The weather forecast being monitored via cell phone had shown rain for our arrival time and it was pushing north just like we were. The moving picture showed we had a chance to pitch our tent before the threatening weather commenced.

The large tent would provide some elbow room in the camper by alleviating clutter in our living space and setting it up was the first order of business for good reason: The camper was filled with bulky items, which had to be removed before it could be occupied.

Spruce campground at the Rifle River Recreation Area

Like so many excursions over the years, it seems like most vivid memories are connected to events that had little in common with a kill or a catch; this was to be one of those moments.

The fog had graduated into mist only a few miles from our destination and we agreed it wasn’t enough to prevent changing our plans. The family-size tent had shock-corded fiberglass poles that had to be threaded through loops and having a helper to assemble the shelter was a welcome change for this seasoned camper. The mist had now advanced to a light rain, as we scrambled in earnest to assemble the monstrosity, as my pal, Doug, who was along with his own modern trailer/camper, disappeared directly to his dry den.

We laid down a plastic tarp for underlayment and began hammering down the stakes through the loops of tent’s floor, as the light rain evolved to a moderate downpour. We had reached the point of no return, as conditions had us fumbling forward. As with many modern tents, this one had a rain fly that had to be installed once the actual tent was erected, but we were not there yet. The open-air design of the tent’s screened roof was typically a welcome design, but not this time; the now heavy rain was pouring through the mesh and our clothing – exactly what we had hoped to avoid! Too late for that.

As if the rain wasn’t enough to hinder assembly, the ever-increasing wind provided another measure of difficulty, before we finally managed to get the fly attached. We finished the arduous task and scurried to the camper to transfer gear. After cranking up the old camper’s roof, another dilemma was apparent: The camper’s door had broken from its mount and required repair before we could proceed, as Mother Nature grinned at our misfortune.

It didn’t take long for an assessment and a necessary trip to town for sheet metal screws. Fortunately, Doug had a cordless drill and we returned with the requisite fasteners and expertly had that door working like new in short order. The trouble was that we couldn’t transfer any gear to the tent until we sopped up many gallons of water puddled on the floor. Terry and I grabbed some towels and a bucket and went to work in our wet garments and finished the task, as Mother Nature had enough fun with us and abruptly turned off the skyward spigot.

Doug reappeared totally dry and must have been content with his hard-shell haven. Before our outing was finished, however, he entered into one of those memorable moments of his own.

As I fished on the slippery bank, Doug grabbed a rod and was attempting to reposition himself for a cast nearby. He began slipping on the mud and futilely grabbed one of my rod holders that had been stuck into the ground. He bent the steel rod 90 degrees as it came loose from its mooring, and his right leg involuntarily tested the water temperature, narrowly avoiding a total body plunge. The maneuver was enough to change his plans and he stormed up the hill thus ending his maiden Rifle River fishing adventure.

Yeah, I caught a few fish – barely enough for a taste. However, I doubt that will not come to mind, as we reminisce over time.

Blas Lara was fishing Lake Michigan in Lake County during the Mayor’s Fishing Derby in Hammond on April 21 when he landed a 3-pound, 2-ounce yellow perch, shattering a 43-year-old Indiana state record.

The previous state record for the species was a 2-pound, 8-ounce fish caught from a gravel pit in Vigo County by Roy W. Burkel Jr. in 1981.

The yellow perch record was the second long-standing record to fall in the Hoosier State this year. On March 3, Rex Remington set a new standard for smallmouth bass, eclipsing a mark set in 1992. Read more