Category: Fishing

Michigan charter fishing a great option for novice and experienced anglers

Looking to spend a few hours or a whole day fishing this summer? Michigan’s waters offer plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of fish, and summer is an ideal time to try. Charter fishing businesses throughout the state offer a great way to explore Michigan’s world-class fisheries.

Licensed charter captains provide the boats and all the equipment, plus the knowledge needed for a fun half-day or day on the water. Charter businesses in Michigan help children and adults have memorable fishing experiences – whether it’s reeling in a fish for the first time or trying your hand at catching a new species.

“Last year 72,000 anglers in Michigan participated in more than 18,000 charter fishing trips on the Great Lakes and other navigable waters,” said Donna Wesander, a DNR fisheries technician who tracks charter fishing data. “These anglers caught nearly 300,000 fish that included a variety of salmon and trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and muskie.” Read more

Fishing

Florida: Severe Red Tide Continues Fish Kills on Southwest Coast

A patchy bloom of the Florida red tide organism,Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in 24 samples collected from or offshore of Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in seven samples collected from or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in 32 samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and background to medium concentrations in 10 samples collected from or offshore of Collier County.

Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.

Over the past week, fish kills were reported in Southwest Florida in Sarasota County (Casey Key, Manasota Beach, Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Venice North Jetty), in Charlotte County (Boca Grande Beach, Don Pedro State Park, Gasparilla Pass, Lemon Bay, Little Gasparilla Beach, Punta Gorda Beach, Red Fish Cove), in and offshore of Lee County (Boca Grande Pass, Gasparilla Island, Captiva Beach, San Carlos Bay, Sanibel Island), and in Collier County (South Marco Beach).

Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Sarasota County (6/29 and 7/3 at Lido Key; 6/28-7/1 and 7/3-7/6 at Manasota Beach; 6/29-7/4 and 7/6 at Nokomis; 6/29-7/1 and 7/3-7/5 at Venice Beach; 6/29-7/4 and 7/6 at Venice North Jetty), and Lee County (6/28-6/29 at Captiva; 6/28-6/29 and 7/2 at Gasparilla Island Range Lighthouse; 6/29-7/2 at Gasparilla Island State Park). Read more

Fishing

Michigan: Lake Sturgeon Seasons Open Soon

Fishing for lake sturgeon is a rare and unique opportunity in Michigan. The month of July brings several season openers.

Detroit River

Fishing season: July 16 – March 15

Catch and release only. All lake sturgeon must be released immediately.

Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River

Fishing season: July 16 – March 15
Possession season: July 16 – Sept. 30

Fish must be between 42 and 50 inches. Lake sturgeon less than 42 inches and greater than 50 inches must be released immediately.

Otsego Lake (Otsego County)

Fishing/possession season: July 16 – March 15

Fish must be a minimum of 50 inches. Lake sturgeon less than 50 inches must be released immediately. Read more

Fishing

House Approves Bill to Reduce Sea Lion Predation on Salmon and Steelhead

 Bipartisan measure addresses unchecked predation at environmental pinch points in the Columbia River system 

Alexandria, VA – June 27, 2018 – The sportfishing industry applauded the U.S House of Representatives passage of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s (R-Wash.) Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act (H.R. 2083) by a vote of 288-115. This bipartisan bill will address the growing threat posed to salmon by the presence and predation of sea lions at migratory bottlenecks in the lower Columbia River system in Oregon and Washington.

“Salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest are extremely important to the region’s recreational fishermen and the economy,” said Scott Gudes, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Reps. Herrera Beutler, Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), the other authors of H.R. 2083 and the House of Representatives for helping to remove unreasonable and overly burdensome restrictions that are preventing Northwest fish and wildlife professionals from addressing this significant problem.”

According to ASA, H.R. 2083 will empower professional state and tribal fisheries managers to better address the negative consequence of unchecked sea lion predation on salmon and sturgeon at environmental pinch points in the Columbia River and its tributaries.

They will take a more proactive approach to remove problem predators before they habituate to these locations, all while preserving the spirit of bedrock environmental laws. Read more

Fishing, Wildlife

Operation Dry Water Emphasized for Michigan Boaters

As the July 4th holiday nears, DNR conservation officers will focus on keeping boaters safe through heightened awareness and enforcement of “boating under the influence” laws.

It’s part of the Operation Dry Water campaign, June 29-July 1, in coordination with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partners. The annual campaign starts before the holiday weekend, when more boaters take to the water and alcohol use increases.

“The best way to safely enjoy a day on the water is to avoid alcohol,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, Michigan’s boating law administrator. “Using alcohol impairs reaction time, balance and judgment. Please don’t put yourself and others at risk. Be smart and stay sober when boating.” Read more

Fishing

Coast Guard Reminds Boaters of Hypothermia Danger on Great Lakes

CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard is reminding mariners of the Great Lakes, Saturday, on the dangers of cold water.

The Coast Guard considers water temperatures less than 77 degrees to be cold and capable of quickly causing hypothermia.

In addition to wearing a lifejacket, the Coast Guard strongly recommends dressing for the water temperature and not the air temperature.

The maritime environment can be dangerously unpredictable and can lead to unexpected entry into the water. Unexpected entry into cold water can trigger a sympathetic gasp reflex, causing the inhalation of water and lead to drowning.

Regardless of the water temperature, it is important for mariners to file a float plan as well. It is as easy as telling a trusted, shoreside source, where you plan to go, how long you think you’ll be there and when you expect to return. Having a point to start a search from can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful rescue.

Lake Michigan: 59 degrees, Lake Superior: 38 degrees, Lake Huron: 39-44 degrees, Lake Erie: 65-70 degrees, Lake Ontario: 54 degrees.

Current lake temperatures and forecasts can be found at NOAA.gov

Fishing

European Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Boats Take Effect Today

On Wednesday, The European Commission formally approved 25 percent tariffs on a range of American products, including boats, in response to the Trump Administration’s Section 232 tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports. A 25 percent tariff will be applied to every boat destined for the EU.

The global trade war has intensified in the past few weeks and the recreational boating industry is being targeted on multiple fronts. To help the industry keep pace with this rapidly evolving situation, NMMA has released a frequent asked questions factsheet outlining and addressing these issues:https://www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabinet517/FAQ%20Sheet_Tariffs%20and%20Retaliation.pdf 

In addition, NMMA recently issued a Boating United alert, calling on all industry stakeholders to take action and tell President Trump to withdraw tariffs targeting boats. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: Fish survey crews heading to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Visitors this summer to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, on the south shore of Lake Superior, might see DNR staff surveying a number of waterbodies in the area. It’s all part of an effort to better understand what kind of fish make their home in these waters.

“Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors every year, and many of those folks have questions about fish locally,” said Cory Kovacs, DNR fisheries biologist out of the DNR’s Newberry office. “We started sampling in 2017, and that information is important in helping us inform the public about what’s here, as well as in making decisions about managing those fish populations.”

In 2017, staff sampled Chapel Creek, Hurricane River, Miner’s River, Rhody Creek, Towes Creek and Mosquito River. This year, they’ll head to Grand Sable Lake, Chapel Lake, Beaver Lake, Sevenmile Creek and Lowney Creek. Crews will use netting gear in lakes and electrofishing gear in streams. Visitors should use caution if encountering those crews on the water. Read more

Fishing

Florida: Red Tide Fish Kills Continue on Southwest Coast

A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in six samples collected from Manatee County, very low to high concentrations in 30 samples collected from Sarasota County, very low to medium concentrations in nine samples collected from Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in seven samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and very low to low concentrations in two samples collected from Collier County. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: Arctic grayling reintroduction gets critical support from Oleson Foundation

Michigan’s historic effort to reintroduce Arctic grayling to the state’s waters will be supported by a $5,000 grant from the Oleson Foundation to the Department of Natural Resources.

To develop Michigan’s broodstock – a group of mature fish used for breeding – the DNR plans to source wild Arctic grayling eggs from Alaska. However, a vital piece of equipment is needed first at Oden State Fish Hatchery in Emmet County where the broodstock will be developed. Support from the Oleson Foundation will help the DNR acquire this urgently needed piece equipment that will ensure no invasive disease or virus is inadvertently introduced to Michigan’s waters. Read more

Fishing
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