08-22-2019 Outdoors

Fishing The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that inland lakes across the state are producing some bluegill, crappie and bass, but you may have to fish deeper and target the weed beds when it is very hot. Walleye were caught during low-light periods and salmon are slowly starting to head toward the rivers. The DNR offered this very timely fishing tip for understanding water temperatures and their impact on fishing, courtesy of Suzanne Stone, the Program Support Section manager out of Lansing. As Michigan’s inland lakes warm up in mid to late summer, knowledge of a water body’s temperature stratification becomes helpful for fishing. Seasonal temperature influences in lakes form different ones, and as a result, different temperature rages and oxygen levels are associated with these layers. Knowledge of these layers or zones can lead to increased angling success. The warm surface zone is called the epilimnion and has an abundance of oxygen. The bottom zone is called the hypolimnion and is typically cold and depleted of oxygen. The middle zone is the thermocline and the point at which warm oxygen rich top water is separated from the cold below. The thermocline may prove to be a great depth at which to fish due to the abundance of oxygen and temperature found “in between” very warm and very cold. This ideal zone in most Michigan inland lakes typically will be between 10 to 30 feet depending on lake size and depth. If fishing shallow water bodies, look for shaded areas provided by large floating vegetation, overhanging vegetation, submerged logs, or other woody debris which provides water that is a little cooler and cover, where many fish species prefer to spend their time. Also don’t forget to try fishing at night during the summer “doldrums” when water temperatures reach seasonal highs. Many fish species become active at night with relief from the daytime sun and heat. Ellinee Bait & Tackle on Big Paw Paw Lake located by Coloma reported fishing slow but anglers are catching bluegills, crappie, panfish, walleye and pike. Bass fishing has been slow in the inland lakes for both largemouth and smallmouth. The warm water has the fish going deeper earlier in the day, so some good advice is to be out on the lake at dawn to have the best chance. Captain Kenny Bard of Rampage Fishing Charters out of South Haven reported good fishing on Lake Michigan. They have been fishing in 80 to 120 feet. Lake trout are being taken on the bottom with Laker-Takers and some king salmon have been taken down 40 to 80 feet. The kings are scattered, so depth varies. Perch were being taken at South Haven straight out from the piers in about 35 feet. The bite was slow. The pier was quiet and so was the Black River. Anglers have been taking smallmouth bass out of the Kalamazoo River. Inland lakes are producing panfish such as Duck Lake where anglers were catching bluegills in about 18 feet of water on the bottom. The food of choice by the fish seemed to be worms and crickets. Good perch fishing was found by St. Joseph in 40 to 50 feet, but a few good catches were also taken in 30 feet of water. Salmon anglers on Lake Michigan are catching lake trout in 80 to 100 feet of water. Pier fishing remains slow except for freshwater drum hitting on crawlers. On the St. Joseph River panfish were caught in Union City. Catfish were hitting worms and small bluegills at night. If you would like a close-up look at how Lake Sturgeon is reared, go to the Black River hatchery for free tours this Saturday, August 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Researchers from the DNR and Michigan State University will be on hand to talk about Lake Sturgeon biology, reproductive ecology and this year’s research. Sturgeon for Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, conservation and outreach programming. Questions and more information, contact Dave Borgeson at 989-732-3541 or Brenda Archambo at 231-625-2776. The hatchery is in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. For 20 consecutive years a Boy Scout Troop from Harrison, Michigan has spent one weekend a year volunteering to guard Lake Sturgeon from illegal harvest during the fish species’ annual spawning run. For its dedication to this species, and to Michigan’s natural resources, Scouts from BSA Troop 645 earned the DNR Partners in Conservation award during the August Natural Resources Commission Meeting.

Hunting Fall and deer hunting will be here before you know it. If you missed out on spring habitat work, don’t worry, there are still options available for putting in a great deer attractant for the fall. Summer is a great time to prepare to plant brassicas that can make a difference this year and in years to come. Forage brassicas are highly desired by deer and are planted in late to mid August. The term “brassica” covers turnip, kale, forge rape and swede. Brassicas are cool-season annuals that have high proteins (15% to 20% crude protein) and digestibility (65% to 80%). The brassica crop grows best on fertile and well-drained soils. More information on deer management and wildlife habitat can be found at Michigan.gov/Deer.

Spots of purple dot the edges of rivers, lakes, and ditches around southwest Michigan in the late summer. Many people enjoy the bright color of the purple loosestrife plant as they boat and hike around, but this plant is invasive and has been causing problems for native plants and animals since its arrival in 1850. “Lythrum salicaria” grows to about three to seven feet tall and has around fifty short stems with purple flower spikes on them. Purple loosestrife, as it is more commonly known, spreads rapidly through seeds and roots, pushing out native plants. This is also a problem for wildlife, which rely on native food sources and can’t eat the nonnative loosestrife. It is native to Eurasia, where the plant has natural beetle predators that keep the plant in check. In the United States and Canada, this beetle was not formerly present but has since been released as a biological control agent on the plant throughout the country. Research has been done to ensure these two small beetles will only eat purple loosestrife and hopefully control the population. Homeowners can help by not purchasing lythrum salicaria from nurseries and by planting native plants in their yards. Join us at Sarett with Ron Dudek for a Carnivorous Plants Program on Sunday, August 25 at 2:00 p.m. Attendees will learn about what makes these plants so unique, and can purchase a copy of his carnivorous plant book! Cost to attend is $7/adults.