Michigan Hunters: Remember to ‘Clean. Drain. Dry.’ to Protect Waterfowl Habitat

With the recent discovery of two new invasive aquatic plants in Michigan, the Michigan Invasive Species Program is asking waterfowl hunters across the state to take extra precautions this season to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Hydrilla, considered one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants, was found in private ponds in southwest Michigan in fall 2023. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is working with landowners to eradicate the infestation. This month, a hydrilla detection in Ontario, Canada forced the closure of a portion of the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area popular with waterfowl hunters.

Glyceria maxima (also known as rough mannagrass) an invasive plant similar to phragmites, has been found in the Dollarville Flooding in Newberry. The Department of Natural Resources is working with the Three Shores Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area to manage the infestation. Read more

AZGFD Celebrates Delisting of Apache Trout

Gov. Hobbs proclaims Sept. 5 “Apache Trout Day”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), alongside conservation leaders, Gov. Katie Hobbs, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, recently celebrated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision to remove Apache trout from the federal Endangered Species List.

The delisting announcement was made by Secretary Haaland at a special event in Mesa on Sept. 4.

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a proclamation to celebrate the delisting of Arizona’s state fish and designate Sept. 5 as “Apache Trout Day.”

“The recovery of Apache trout is a culmination of more than five decades of hard work and the cooperation of many partners, and it’s truly an amazing conservation success story,” said AZGFD Director Ty Gray.

Apache trout, one of only two native trout species in Arizona, were found in streams across the White Mountains in east-central Arizona before their populations began to rapidly decline during the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The White Mountain Apache Tribe was the first to recognize the loss of this critical species and took steps to protect them on tribal lands. Read more

Sportsmen’s Alliance Opposes Endangered Species Listing for Gulf of Alaska Salmon

The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has submitted comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) encouraging NMFS to issue a not-warranted finding on a petition from animal extremists asking NMFS to list Chinook salmon in the Gulf of Alaska as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

On May 24, 2024, NMFS issued a positive 90-day finding on a petition submitted by the Wild Fish Conservancy asking NMFS to list Chinook salmon, or any evolutionarily significant unit that may exist in the petitioned area, as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA and to designate critical habitat concurrent with the listing. NMFS’s positive 90-finding means the agency found “the petition . . . presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.” A positive 90-day finding means that the first hurdle for placing Chinook salmon on an ESA list was cleared. NMFS is now working on a 12-month finding to determine its final recommendations for southeast Alaska Chinook salmon.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance has significant concerns about the wide-sweeping impacts of the potential listing of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA and strongly disagree that listing is warranted. Similarly, we remain opposed to the designation of critical habitat for Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the ESA and the undertaking of the incredibly broad status review requested by the petitioners.

It would be unconscionable for NMFS to conclude in its 12-month finding that listing a southeast Alaska Chinook salmon under the ESA is warranted. Specifically, among other flaws, the petition misrepresents or omits information on aggressive and successful regulatory protections and conservation activities historically and currently being implemented by the state of Alaska. Additionally, per the NMFS own determinations, the petitioners have failed to provide a complete and balanced representation of relevant facts, and “the petition contained numerous factual errors, omissions, incomplete references, and unsupported assertions and conclusions.” Read more

CSF Recognizes Legendary Conservationist Johnny Morris with Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award

Wednesday, Johnny Morris, conservation legend and founder of Bass Pro Shops, was celebrated at the 35th Annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Banquet and Auction with the highest award given by CSF, the Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award.

Named for conservation policy icons Reps. John Dingell Sr. and Jr., Rep. Debbie Dingell, and Rep. Don Young, the Dingell-Young Award was created to celebrate individuals who best exemplify the extraordinary individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and Representative Young, and their shared dedication to the advancement of conservation efforts and our outdoor hunting and angling traditions.

To be eligible for the Dingell-Young Award, an individual must demonstrate leadership and long-standing dedication to advancing two or more of the following areas: national conservation policy, the role of sportsmen and women in conservation, expanding public access to hunting, fishing and/or recreational shooting, increasing the engagement of youth and underrepresented communities in sporting pursuits, and promoting our outdoor heritage in the policy arena.

“It is such an honor to be able to present my dear friend, Johnny Morris, with this year’s Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award. Johnny and I go way back and I have seen first-hand his passion and commitment towards our great outdoor traditions,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Johnny is one of the greatest conservationists of our time and knows the vital contributions of our nation’s sportsmen and women towards the protection of our nation’s most treasured natural resources and I cannot think of anyone more deserving in being recognized as this year’s award recipient.” Read more

Michigan authorities remind hunters of ‘Do Not Eat’ health advisories for Clark’s Marsh

Sept. 12, 2024

LANSING, Mich. – With archery hunting season beginning , Oct. 1, firearms hunting season starting , Nov. 15, and early season hunts occurring this month, the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Natural Resources (DNR) are reminding hunters not to eat venison from deer taken within three miles of Clark’s Marsh in Oscoda Township in Iosco County.

A Do Not Eat deer advisory remains in effect due to evidence that deer within three miles of the marsh were more likely to have various per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), in their livers and muscle tissue. The finding is included in the 2021 report PFAS levels in Michigan deer from the Oscoda area, Iosco County.

In addition, a Do Not Eat advisory for all fish and aquatic or semi-aquatic wildlife taken from Clark’s Marsh remains in place. This includes fish, aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals (including muskrats), amphibians (including frogs), mollusks (including snails), reptiles (including turtles) and arthropods (including crayfish). Read more

USA Carp Fishing Team heads to Croatia for 2024 Carp Fishing World Championship

The 2024 Carp World Championship will be held in the city of Nasice, Croatia from September 4th through the 7th. It will be held bankside on 2 separate lakes, Lapovac and Sandor. Nasice is a city that is rich in culture and is well known for hosting sporting events, especially fishing.

Fishing for Common Carp in Europe is hugely popular and rivals the popularity of Bass fishing in the United States. Carp are respected as the premiere sport fish in many nations. Carp fishing in the United States with rod and reel is steadily gaining popularity, and carp tournaments are becoming more commonplace. The USA Carp Fishing Team is working diligently to open the eyes and minds of anglers to recognize carp as a fantastic sport fish. We firmly believe that if you catch one on rod and reel, you might just enjoy it…a LOT! A ten, twenty, thirty, forty or fifty pound fish can be found in lakes across our country.

The USA Carp Fishing Team is one of the U.S. Angling Confederation’s (USAngling), most exciting fishing teams. The world team consists of 8 anglers, 2 coaches, and a pair of Captains. The carp team has been a part of USAngling for 9 years and has attended 7 different World Championship events during that time. Read more

Cheboygan Lock to close for the season Sept. 29

Critical repairs to the Cheboygan Lock, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and located in the city of Cheboygan, will prompt the early closure of this seasonal facility.

The lock closure will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, with an anticipated reopening date of May 17, 2025.

During the same period, the adjacent Lincoln Street Boating Access Site also will temporarily close because it will be used as a staging area for construction materials and equipment.

“Due to necessary repairs, the Cheboygan Lock will close earlier than usual this year,” said Kevin Taylor, Cheboygan Field Office supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “These upgrades are essential to maintain the safe operation of the lock and ensure future access to the Inland Waterway and Lake Huron.” Read more

Millennium Marine Shade Tree

Perhaps the most annoying question in the world is, “Is it hot enough for you?” Nothing can be worse for anglers than sitting for hours, waiting on that elusive strike while roasting in the hot summer sun. Or just for boaters, out for a fun day on the waterways, only to realize there’s just no escaping the rays of the sun as they burn down on a classic summer day.

Millennium Marine’s Shade Tree Umbrella and Fishing Umbrella Holder offer comfort and versatility on your boat during the summer sunshine.

The Shade Tree Umbrella is made from an aluminum and composite construction, with a special coating to reflect heat. It will keep boaters cooler than conventional umbrellas while providing a double layer of UV protection. The Shade Tree Umbrella features an easily movable top that tilts, helping to find the ideal angle of coverage. The heavy-duty stow and carry bag protects the umbrella and makes it easy to transport. Additionally, the convenient vent on top can be opened to release hot air or closed to keep out the rain. Read more

DNR awards construction contract for new Lake Michigan fisheries research vessel

The R/V Steelhead II will be built by Onaway-based Moran Iron Works

Advanced technology, improved crew safety, solar energy and more precise Lake Michigan fisheries data — that’s what is on the horizon for Michigan Department of Natural Resources when the new research vessel (R/V) Steelhead II is completed. The DNR today announced the first step by awarding the vessel construction contract to Moran Iron Works of Onaway, Michigan.

The DNR expects the new research vessel to be on the water for the 2026 field season. Read more

Bass Pro Shops Announces Plans for New Outdoor World serving Lansing, Michigan

The Great American Outdoor Store’s newest Michigan location in Lansing will showcase vast assortment of quality gear at low prices

Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a new Outdoor World retail location in Lansing, Michigan.

Bass Pro Shops’ newest store will be the company’s sixth in the great state of Michigan. The 85,000 square-foot Outdoor World retail destination will be in the Delta Crossing development and is expected to open in early 2026.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve the sportsmen and women in the Lansing area. We are excited to provide a broad selection of high-quality products at remarkable low CLUB prices and to support customers with genuine friendly, expert service,” said legendary angler, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.

Since its founding in 1972, Bass Pro Shops has blazed a new trail in the retail experience for outdoor enthusiasts. As millions of families know, a trip to a Bass Pro Shops is more than a retail experience; it’s an adventure, a mini-vacation, a celebration of nature and an educational and enriching outing for the entire family.

People leave a Bass Pro Shops store with more than a bag of outdoor gear. They leave with a smile, a greater appreciation for nature and a dream of spending more time fishing, hunting, camping and hiking. Read more

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