Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources soon will be collecting steelhead eggs at the Little Manistee River weir in Stronach (Manistee County).
Since 1968, the Little Manistee River weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes. To provide a backup egg-take source in case of emergencies, another broodstock steelhead population is being developed on the Platte River in Benzie County. Read more
Keep your eyes to the skies in the next week or two, as ospreys soon will be returning to Michigan. They migrate south for the winter to southern North America, Central America and even South America. They return to Michigan in late March or early April.
These majestic predators can be identified by their dark brown backs and white undersides. Females have chestnut brown feathers, often described as necklaces, around their necks. Their wingspan stretches 4.5 to 6 feet, and they weigh about 2 to 4 pounds.
Known as the “fish hawk,” the osprey is an amazing angler and diver. An osprey can dive up to 3 feet into the water after its prey – fish. In Michigan, 99 percent of an osprey’s diet consists of fish. They are excellent anglers too, with a 70 percent success rate! They have several special adaptations to assist in fishing, including an extra bend in their wings to mimic wrists, which aids in diving, and special grips on their feet called spicules to help catch and hold onto fish. Read more
ICAST is the venue for launching new fishing products and setting industry trends
Alexandria, Va. – March 24, 2016 – With Orlando, Fla. as the backdrop, the 59th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, the world’s largest showcase of fishing tackle, apparel and accessories, is taking place July 12-15, at the Orange County Convention Center. All the details, including registration, are available at www.ICASTfishing.org.
ICAST Week 2016 will host 600 exhibitors, a 650,000-square-foot show floor, a week-long lineup of business and networking events and more than 13,000 attendees. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade group that represents the sportfishing industry, ICAST is the venue for launching new fishing products and setting industry trends. Read more
Many may not know that Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, located in Mattawan, Michigan, is an ideal destination for viewing spring bird migrations. The hatchery, situated at 34270 County Road 652, offers the public year-round access to its 120 acres complete with seven ponds and a convenient bird watching platform.
Visitors will have a chance to see more than 175 different species of migratory and nonmigratory birds, including trumpeter swans, yellow warblers, song sparrows and others. At the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, visitors will find an on-site bird identification tool. Read more
Some love ’em, some hate ’em, but the compact Model 19 is one of Glock’s most popular handguns. The striker-fired, 9mm pistol features a four- inch barrel and has a standard capacity of 15 rounds, although 17-round magazines are available. The polymer frame features an accessory rail for mounting lights. Here’s the scoop on possibilities for our military.