Fishing

 Open water fishing was the rule in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.  The northern half still had ice, but anglers will need to be cautious and watch for changing ice conditions the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported.  Ice fishing on the Upper Peninsula inland lakes was still going strong.

The DNR reminds anglers that the season for Muskellunge, Northern Pike and Walleye will close on March 15 for all Lower Peninsula inland lakes and will reopen in April.  It will close also for the Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and St. Marys River on March 13, until reopening in May.

Captain Kenny Bard of Rampage Fishing Charters out of South Haven reports that Steelhead is still being caught on the Black River, Kalamazoo River and St. Joseph River.  The pan fish bite was good until the cooler weather moved back in, and is now very slow.

Ellinee Bait & Tackle reported also that pan fishing had been good until the cooler weather moved in.  One angler had his limit of Crappie from Van Auken Lake; the next day an angler did not get a bite in several hours of trying.  The Crappie is still out in the deeper water, not moving to the shore for bedding yet.  Anglers are getting Steelhead out of the Paw Paw River in Watervliet.

With ice fishing done for now, boat anglers were out in good numbers.  In the St. Joseph River Steelhead fishing was very good with fish starting to move upstream and was moving through the fish ladder at Berrien Springs Dam.  St. Joseph pier anglers have caught Chinook, Coho and Brown Trout.

Saugatuck boat anglers were still heading out and catching Coho, Brown Trout and Steelhead.  In Grand Haven, boat anglers trolling close to shore have caught Coho, Steelhead and the occasional Brown Trout.

The DNR, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and Michigan Technological University have received a Consumers Energy Foundation grant of $117,175 to support efforts to bring back Arctic Grayling to Michigan waters.

The grant will fund work during 2017 to address two immediate needs for a successful reintroduction.  The first is the collection of habitat and fish community data in the upper Big Manistee River.  This water body historically was a premier Arctic Grayling river and is believed to hold high-quality habitats for this species.

The second is to create an outreach plan to engage Michigan citizens in the reintroduction efforts and to once again make Arctic Grayling an important part of Michigan’s heritage.  For more information on the history of Arctic Grayling in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishid.

Hunting

 Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing were available starting March 1.  Each $5.00 Pure Michigan Hunt application purchased helps fund wildlife habitat restoration and management in Michigan.

Each winner receives Elk, Bear, Spring and Fall Turkey, and Antlerless deer licenses to be used in 2018.  In addition, along with three hunting companions, the winners will get first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any of Michigan’s premier managed waterfowl hunt areas.

The winners also receive a package of gear donated by Michigan businesses and organizations.  The three winners for the 2017 drawing, Michele Ketchum, Richard Farris and Jerry Peak won a package of gear that included guns, bow, three $100 gift cards and much more.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/pmh.

The DNR is making it easier for citizens to report fish and game violations through the convenience of text messaging.  The Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline, 800-292-7800, now accepts text messages in addition to telephone calls.  Text messages may include photos.  The RAP hotline is a toll-free, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week number that enables citizens to report violations of fish and game laws, as well as other natural resource-related laws.  It is operated by the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division.

The DNR is recruiting instructors for its off-road vehicle (ORV) safety education program.  This volunteer opportunity allows ORV enthusiasts to share their love and knowledge of the sport with new riders, while teaching them safe and responsible ORV operation to provide an enjoyable riding experience.

Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/recreationalsafety or by calling the DNR at 517-284-6055.  After a completed application is submitted, a background check will be conducted.  Successful applicants then will be contacted to schedule their attendance at an academy.  Contact Cpl. John Morey at 989-619-3784 for more information about the ORV safety education program.

Coloma Rod &

Gun Club

The Coloma Rod and Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW Class on March 11.  Class registration is held on Sunday, March 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The class is taught by a certified NRA and RSO instructor and the cost of the class is $100.  For more information or to be put on the list, call 269-621-3370.

Watervliet Rod &

Gun Club

The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW classes on March 16 and March 19.  Registration is on March 14 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.  They will have a lawyer explaining the law pertaining to concealed carry during class.  Please call 269-468-3837 or 269-470-9191 for more information.

Recently a student asked us to move the chameleon so she could watch it change colors. Unfortunately, we had to disappoint her. Chameleons don’t change color to match their backgrounds. Look for videos of octopuses to see the masters of this type of camouflage.

Chameleons do change colors to regulate their temperatures. Most lizards do this. A chilly lizard absorbs more heat into a dark skin and a hot lizard uses a lighter skin color to reflect unneeded heat from the sun.

Chameleons also change colors to communicate with other members of their species, especially during the breeding season. A male signals its dominance with bright colors. If that doesn’t work, he will become very dark to signal aggression. A female signals her readiness to mate by changing her colors slightly.

The chameleons produce color changes by relaxing or tightening their skin which affects the structural arrangement of the upper cell layer. This alters the way light reflects off the skin and… voila, different colors!

The Spring Selfie Challenge begins March 4. Participants can find photos of the mystery on Sarett’s Facebook page. Show a naturalist all 5 selfies to claim a prize. Regular admission rates apply.

Learn about the process of maple syrup on March 5 at 1:30 or 3:00 p.m. Program fee is $5 for adults. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.