FLIPPIN, Ark. – For 50 years, Ranger has led the way for tournament fishing design and innovation. That legacy continues with the latest extension of the esteemed Z500 Comanche line. This tournament-proven line of boats now includes the L Series with the all-new Z520L Comanche and Z521L Comanche and is built upon a celebrated hull design that delivers unmatched quality and fishability. The boats are packed with fresh features and sport new style lines and trade dress to create the unmatched fit and finish Ranger owners have come to expect.

“Ranger consistently strives to improve, but on many levels, I didn’t think that was possible with the current Z boat,” said Hank Parker, legendary television host and tournament angler. “But the new L Series, from the console and style lines to the new seats and LED lighting, has unquestionably raised the bar. This is the absolute Cadillac of tournament fishing rigs.” Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership and Sturgeon For Tomorrow will host sturgeon hatchery tours at the Black River facility northwest of Onaway Saturday, Aug. 19. Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tours are free of charge. The hatchery is located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. From M-68 2 miles west of Onaway, take Black River Road (F-05) north to Twin School Road, then west a little over 3 miles to the hatchery, which is on the north side of the road just before the dam. Read more

LANSING, Mich. – Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder announced that the Invasive Carp Challenge is now accepting proposals for innovative methods to prevent invasive (or Asian) carp from entering the Great Lakes.

“Invasive carp pose a serious and growing threat to the economy and ecology of our Great Lakes,” Snyder said. “The Invasive Carp Challenge will tap into the creativity and expertise of the entrepreneurial community to find the best ways to protect Michigan’s most prized natural resource.” Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will conduct a trawl survey in Lake Erie near Monroe, beginning Aug. 7 and continuing through Aug. 10.

“This survey is a component of the DNR’s annual efforts to assess the fish community in Lake Erie,” said Todd Wills, the DNR’s Lake Huron-Lake Erie Area fisheries research manager. “The data from this survey will be used to describe the status of prey fish populations, assess the abundance of juvenile walleye and yellow perch in Michigan waters, and continue our monitoring efforts for invasive species.”

A trawl, which looks like a large, mesh sock, will be towed on the lake bottom behind the research vessel (R/V) Channel Cat, which has a home port at the Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station in Harrison Township. A number of sites will be sampled in Michigan waters, from the mouth of the Detroit River to the Turtle Island area along the Michigan-Ohio border. The trawl is towed for five to 10 minutes at each site and then hauled on board the vessel. The catch is then sorted, identified and measured. Read more

Mainstream media daily bombard us with tales of woe, corruption, scandal, crime, crises, conflict, and disaster. We need to hear some good news, and clearly the recovery of the Detroit River is some good news.

At an average rate of 175,000 cubic feet per second, the Detroit River surges through a strait less than a mile wide for 32 miles, passing five million people as it flows between Lake St. Claire and Lake Erie. As it enters Lake Erie, the river widens and the waters slip past two cigar-shaped islands. Along the Canadian shore lies 2.5 miles long Bois-Blanc Island, a former amusement park that today is a resort community. To the west in American waters is a 12 mile-long cigar-shaped island, Grosse Ile, the quiet home of more than 10,000 people.

A history of the Detroit River reveals how becoming “civilized” can influence water quality. Read more

Thousands of common carp died last month in Waseca County’s Lake Elysian because of a virus likely introduced to Minnesota waters by the release or escape of ornamental koi or pet goldfish.

A joint effort by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the University of Minnesota have determined koi herpesvirus (KHV) was the main cause of the late-June fish kill in southern Minnesota. It is the state’s first documented case of the virus in a wild fish population.

KHV does not affect humans and is not believed to affect other fish species. First documented in the United Kingdom in 1996, the virus has since been documented worldwide, mostly in countries that culture koi or common carp. This virus can cause disease in koi and common carp. Goldfish can be carriers of the virus but typically do not show signs of the disease.

“The virus can be present in a lake without causing a fish kill, at least not until the right conditions are present,” said DNR fisheries pathology lab supervisor Ling Shen. “KHV is highly contagious, and as we’ve seen, very capable of causing large-scale die-offs of common carp.” Read more

Universally accessible kayak and canoe launch officially will open to the public

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, Aug. 1, to mark the official opening of the new universally accessible kayak and canoe launch at Mitchell State Park in Wexford County. The ribbon-cutting, which starts at 11 a.m., will take place at the new launch, located adjacent to the public beach on Lake Cadillac. Read more

For those who don’t have a fishing boat, may not have the correct fishing gear, don’t know how to fish, are new to an area, or are just looking for a day of fun, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests considering a charter fishing trip. Charter fishing businesses are located throughout the state and offer a great way to experience Michigan’s world-class fisheries.

Licensed fishing charters make a full or half-day of fishing easy and enjoyable, as they provide the boat and all the equipment, plus the knowledge needed for a day on the water. Fishing charters are for anyone, children or adult, from the first-time angler to those who are experienced. Charter businesses in Michigan help anglers of all experience levels enjoy memorable experiences – whether it’s reeling in a fish for the first time or trying one’s hand at catching a new species.

In Michigan in 2016, more than 70,000 anglers participated in more than 17,000 charter fishing trips on Great Lakes and specific navigable waters. These anglers caught more than 244,000 fish of various species, with about half of the fish caught being trout and salmon. Read more