By JOANNE FOREMAN
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Thousands of anglers across the state are poised to dip their waders into cold-water Michigan lakes, rivers and streams beginning Saturday, looking to tempt a prize brookie, a colorful rainbow or sleek German brown trout.

As they move from one spot to the next, anglers can unknowingly help spread a devastating invasive species, the New Zealand mudsnail.

“If you are going to fish different streams, be sure to clean your waders and boots,” said Jeff Gerwitz, a member of the Vanguard Chapter of Michigan Trout Unlimited, supporting Oakland County’s Paint Creek. “Some people don’t think it’s a big deal or concern, and they don’t take the time to clean and inspect between sites, but now we’re finding these mudsnails in more and more places.”

New Zealand mudsnails were first discovered in the U.S. in Idaho’s Snake River in 1987. Since then, infestations have spread throughout the western states and into areas of the Great Lakes. Read more

It’s time to put that new fishing license to good use. Saturday, April 27, is the statewide trout opener, as well as the start of the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons. The DNR encourages everyone heading out this weekend to take along someone new and share the fun of Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities.

A few reminders:

• In Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike possession seasons open Wednesday, 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 1 – though catch-and-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year.
• 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 Guide for specifics).
• The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 25, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, which open Saturday, June 15.

Before hitting the water, be sure to have the new fishing license for the current season, which opened April 1. The 2019 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2020. Read more

Orvis introduces more than 15,000 new people to fly fishing every year through free fly-fishing classes. FF101 classes can be found in 43 U.S. states and include a free annual membership to Trout Unlimited. Additionally, for every student that attends an FF101 class in 2019, Orvis will make a $1 donation to Casting for Recovery®, a unique organization that provides therapeutic fly-fishing retreats to women with breast cancer.

“At Orvis, we believe that fly fishing can have a positive impact on people’s lives, and we want as many folks as possible to have the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy the sport,” states Tom Rosenbauer, fly-fishing mentor, author, and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast. “We created FF101 classes to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to come learn to fish. Our hope is that we can help break down the barriers to entry and provide a unique opportunity for families and friends to come together and connect in the outdoors.”

Orvis is an instructional leader within the fly fishing industry, hosting schools in the U.S. since the early 1970s. For the 2019 season, classes will be offered from May through July at Orvis retail stores across the country. Students are guaranteed individualized instruction on all the basics, like how to assemble a rod, how to attach the reel, and how to string line up through the guides. Students learn the differences between the fly line and the leader, as well as basic types of flies and knots needed for a successful day on the water. Read more

Men 20-60 years old least likely to wear life jacket, most likely to drown

With waterways across the state clearing of ice, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anxious boaters that wearing a life jacket is a critical safety necessity during the spring “cold water” season.

While boaters should always wear a life jacket no matter the water temperature or season, public safety officials stress wearing a life jacket – not just having it on the boat – is the one action that significantly increases the chances of surviving a fall into cold water.

“The shock of falling into cold water triggers your gasp reflex, which more than likely means inhaling water,” said Lisa Dugan, DNR boating safety representative. “Wearing a life jacket gives you a fighting chance to get your head above water, stay calm instead of panicking, and call for help before hypothermia sets in.” Read more

Anglers fishing for lake trout in the waters of Grand Traverse Bay this year need to be aware of a new regulation now in effect. At yesterday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing, the commission acted to reduce the daily possession limit of lake trout in these waters from two fish to one. Read more

Destin, FL – Wear it and forget it’s there. That’s the overwhelming consensus from anglers who have already slipped a new face-protecting garment under their hats.

Fish Monkey, renowned for the “second skin fit” of its high-grade fishing gloves, recently released its equally comfortable Performance Face Guard. Concepted, crafted and tailored to the same exacting, angler-friendly standards as its popular Guide Series gloves, Fish Monkey’s Face Guard lightly cools the skin, while wrapping your face and neck in total sun-protection. Read more

Sea Eagle SUPCat10

Port Jefferson, NY: Sea Eagle Boats delves deeper into the fishing category with the new SUPCat10™ inflatable fishing SUP. This 10’ double pontooned craft can reach speeds up to 8 mph with just a 3 hp gas engine and 4 mph with a 70 lb. thrust electric motor getting you to the fish faster than any SUP or kayak on the market. The SUPCat can also be paddled with a standard SUP paddle.

At just 42 lbs, the SUPCat can be easily transported by 1 person, especially if the optional CAT Wheels are utilized. The CAT Wheels quickly attach and detach with a simple push of a button. In the down position, you can go from car to water with the boat and all your gear in one trip. Once at the water, simply unhook the wheels and re-attach in the up position where they will be out of your way as you paddle, motor and fish – no need to go back to your car.

The SUPCat10 is packed with features. It comes standard with 4 Scotty® gear head mounts and 2 Scotty™ rod holders as well as a 40” fish ruler on each pontoon, d-rings to hold down gear and a comfortable swivel seat for a high view of the waterline. Both drop-stitch pontoons have a large strip of evergrip EVA padding for a solid, non-slip surface. Read more

Love to boat or fish? You’ll want to make note of some recent changes in Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act geared toward preventing the spread of invasive species and supporting natural resources stewardship efforts for the future.

In addition to the existing law requiring all aquatic plants be removed from boats and trailers before launching, the changes require the following, prior to transporting any watercraft over land:

• Remove all drain plugs from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells.
• Drain all water from any live wells and bilges.
• Ensure the watercraft, trailer and any conveyance (vehicle) used to transport the watercraft or trailer are free of aquatic organisms, including plants.

This means after trailering boats and before getting on the road, boaters must pull plugs, drain water and remove plants and debris from all watercraft, trailers and other conveyances. View new rules.