Category: 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

Boat Buying Frenzy Across U.S.

From all over the country, we are now getting reports that a boat buying frenzy is playing out at many dealerships. From runabouts and center consoles to large express and flybridge cruisers and motoryachts, boats are selling at a fast pace, and many dealers are running out of inventory. Builders of large boats in the $1 to $2 million range report that nationwide inventory is often in single digits, and in some cases only a couple of boats are available for immediate delivery. One financial institution is saying its boat loan business is up 31%. BoatTEST has seen a huge spike in boat research on its website, something echoed by virtually all major online classified services. Read all about it…

Fishing

Michigan: Tagged Fish Could Net Anglers Cash Reward

People who regularly fish Michigan waters likely are familiar with the state’s marked and tagged fish program. Through assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Great Lakes states, including Michigan, are mass marking popular gamefish (like steelhead, Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and lake trout) before those fish are stocked.

As more anglers get out on the water this summer, the DNR reminds them that catching a trout or salmon with an adipose fin clip could be worth a $100 reward. The adipose fin is the small, fleshy lobe on the fish’s back, just forward of the tail fin. Read more

Fishing

Great American Outdoors Act Pushed Toward Passage

Last week, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member and Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate Mitch McConnell (KY) committed to the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), an unprecedented piece of legislation.

S. 3422 will provide $9.5 billion over 5 years to address the deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands and waters with roughly $3 billion set aside to restore the infrastructure on lands and waters that are most important to sportsmen and women. In total, our federal public land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, face nearly $20 billion in deferred maintenance backlog, which will in part be addressed by S. 3422.

Furthermore, the Great American Outdoors Act will provide permanent and dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually, building on the success of S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which permanently authorized LWCF, but did not provide any funding. S. 3422 will also ensure that $15 million of LWCF funding is set aside for the purpose of increasing access for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other forms of outdoor recreation on public lands and waters. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan Updates Lake Trout Regs on two Great Lakes

Those fishing for lake trout on either northern Lake Huron or portions of Lake Michigan this season can up their take. At its April meeting, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved the following fishing regulation changes, with immediate effect:

    • In the northern Lake Huron lake trout management unit MH-1, the daily possession limit is now three fish (up from a two-fish limit in 2019). This regulation now applies to all Lake Huron waters.
    • In the Lake Michigan lake trout management unit MM-4, the daily possession limit is two fish (up from a one-fish limit last year).

Read more

Fishing

Gamakatsu® Worm Hooks Deliver In Any Situation

Pictured above: Superline Offset Shank EWG Worm Hook

Tacoma, Washington Whether you need a delicate approach to fool pressured bass, or the power to pull lunkers out of the thickest cover, Gamakatsu has you covered. The G Finesse Hybrid Worm hook takes finesse presentations to the next level, with a light wire hook that can stand up to the big boys. If you fish big baits in the thickest salad, rigging up with the Superline Offset Shank EWG Worm hook lets you cross their eyes and bring them to hand every time.

Pro Staffer Mike McClelland incorporated a distinctive, acute angle into the G Finesse Hybrid Worm hook to keep baits aligned perfectly straight, so they deliver the presentation you want, cast after cast. G Finesse Hybrid Worm hooks feature Gamakatsu’s Tournament Grade Wire, making them thinner, stronger and sharper, while standing up to the most jarring hook sets. The reduced resistance provided by the Nano Smooth Coat finish means the G Finesse Hybrid Worm hook penetrates faster and surer, hooking the lightest biters. The slippery, subdued finish of Nano Smooth Coat makes threading even the thinnest finesse baits easy. Read more
Fishing

Hunter Nation, WLBA File Brief to Protect Constitutional Right to Fish in Wisconsin

Outdoor Groups Say Evers’ Order Infringes on Constitutionally Protected Rights While Causing Economic Hardship for thousands of Small Outdoor Businesses

Two non-profit organizations that work to protect the rights of anglers and hunters in Wisconsin announced today that they are filing an Amicus Brief with the State Supreme Court on behalf of their members to protect the constitutionally protected right to fish that they say has been infringed upon by Governor Tony Evers’ Emergency Order deeming thousands of businesses as non-essential.

Hunter Nation and the Wisconsin Lakeshore Business Association called the Governor’s order that has shut off access to fishing for thousands of professional fishing guides, charter boat captains and their clients as “arbitrary and capricious and a clear violation of our constitutionally protected rights” in the brief they filed today.

Hunter Nation President and CEO, Luke Hilgemann said, “Fishing is a multi-billion-dollar industry that employs more than 30,000 folks in the Badger State. For the Governor and his administration to claim that fishing guides and charter boat captains are “non-essential” has put these small business owners at risk of losing everything and blocked their customers from partaking in our long held outdoor traditions.” Read more

Fishing

Michigan Eases Restrictions on Motorized Boating

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order also removed some asinine restrictions on outdoor activities like motorized boating – a top priority of the recreational boating community.

Leading up to the decision, NMMA worked with members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, along with state level officials to advocate for adding boating to the list of outdoor recreation activities allowed to continue within COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Additionally, more than 1,000 Boating United advocates contacted Governor Whitmer in favor of lifting restrictions on motorized boating. Read more

Fishing

Motorboat ban rescinded following MUCC suit

Glen Wunderlich:  The below is the effect of the Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s actions against personal freedom and arbitrary strong-arming of every-day, honest, hard-working citizens. The strong legal action relates to my previous piece on the subject here.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that the arbitrary and unconstitutional ban on motorized boats has been rescinded.

Although neither the word “boat” nor “motor” ever appeared in Executive Order 2020-42, law enforcement officers, under direction from Gov. Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger, have written tickets citing anglers for violations of the executive order specific to motor boating.

The governor’s announcement and signing of the new Executive Order 2020-59 comes two days after a judge agreed to hear testimony regarding a temporary injunction filed by Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). Members of MUCC have been ticketed for violating “Frequently Asked Questions,” which appeared on the DNR and governor’s websites.

MUCC filed an initial complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on April 19. On Tuesday, MUCC filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. Judge Paul Maloney acknowledged that the boating ban “confusion puts members of MUCC in a precarious situation” and set a formal hearing for April 29.

MUCC Executive Director Amy Trotter said the organization’s members, supporters and stakeholders were instrumental in helping to prevent further wrongful prosecution of anglers and boaters.

“The MUCC lawsuit placed discernable pressure on the governor’s office and DNR to reconsider the unconstitutional and ambiguous language that was being enforced,” Trotter said. “The grassroots power of MUCC proved that individual anglers’ voices can be heard and that they do matter.”

The new order explicitly states that outdoor activities, including boating, are now allowed while “remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household.”

MUCC thanks Gov. Whitmer for her willingness to reverse her position after giving careful consideration to the arguments presented by responsible sportsmen and sportswomen. Legislative leaders, from both sides of the aisle, also demonstrated strong support for anglers and boaters across the state.

MUCC attorney Aaron Phelps, a partner with Varnum LLP in Grand Rapids, said anglers and boaters have a right to clearly understand the criminal penalties they are subject to, and Whitmer’s reversal is a step in the right direction.

“Our case was very straightforward — Michigan boaters and anglers may not be threatened with criminal charges based on an arbitrary interpretation of a poorly written executive order,” Phelps said. “To do so violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and we are pleased that our federal lawsuit was well-received by the governor.”

MUCC’s legal team is being funded by grassroots donations. Any donation amount will help to continue to protect the rights of anglers, hunters and trappers.

Charter guide, avid angler and owner of Teachin’ Fishin’ Lance Valentine said MUCC’s actions reinforce the organization’s worth and value to the angling community. Valentine was one of the first industry leaders to call for action from MUCC.

“Anglers need a group like MUCC to lead the charge in Lansing and be the watchdog over the DNR, legislature and governor’s office,” Valentine said. “My livelihood is at stake, and I feel better knowing someone has anglers’ best interest at heart when we can’t be there.”

Whitmer’s announcement comes on the eve of the state’s treasured walleye and trout opener. Launches across the state are expected to be busy, and anglers should remember that further orders by the governor could explicitly prohibit motorized boats and public access if social distancing measures are not followed.

Professional anglers Mark Zona and Kevin VanDam said this is anglers’ chance to prove they understand the seriousness of this health crisis and are able to keep that top of mind while recreating responsibly.

“The lakes, rivers and streams of Michigan will again be buzzing with anglers tomorrow thanks to MUCC and their concern for the rights of anglers and hunters in Michigan,” Zona said. “Anglers need to be responsible and prove that they can properly follow all safety protocols related to social distancing.”

“Fishing and our freshwater resource is at the heart of who we are as Michiganders,” VanDam said. “This collaborative effort could not have been achieved without MUCC, Michigan anglers, industry folks and the businesses that make communities throughout Michigan thrive.”

President of the Lake St. Clair Walleye Association and MUCC Fisheries Committee Chair Tim Muir said his club members are looking forward to hitting the water.

“The walleye fishing is really heating up, and I can’t thank MUCC enough for helping to get anglers back out on the water,” Muir said. “I’m excited to be able to fish this season and am thankful for a group like MUCC that truly represents not only anglers but all sportsmen and sportswomen in Michigan.”

Please stay in or near your vehicle as you wait to launch your boat and observe the recommended 6-feet social distancing measure at all times.

MUCC represents 40,000 members and 200 affiliate clubs throughout Michigan. Since 1937, MUCC has united citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. Click here to join or renew your membership today!

Fishing
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