09-13-2018 Outdoors

Fishing Strong weather systems coupled with the hot weather across the state have not been ideal fishing conditions the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported for last week. The much cooler temperatures of this week certainly help push more fish into the rivers. Inland lakes were producing panfish. Captain Kenny Bard of Rampage Fishing Charters out of South Haven reported good numbers of lake trout being taken in 120 to 200 feet of water. An occasional coho was also caught. Perch fishing by South Haven, south of the piers, was good and other times bad. The east wind made the water pretty choppy which hampered Lake Michigan fishing. The anglers on the South Haven piers have taken a few king salmon around the far edge and in the Black River. No steelhead is being caught at the time. The Allegan Dam on the Kalamazoo River has been slow fishing, but panfish are still biting at the inland lakes in the area.

Ellinee Bait & Tackle located on Paw Paw Lake near Coloma reports anglers are taking some good catches of bluegill, crappie and perch out of the local lakes. Several limited out on bluegills. Some steelhead was being taken by Berrien Springs, along with a few kings. Poor weather hampered boat anglers out of St. Joseph. Good numbers of lake trout were caught in the bottom 20 feet of water when fishing 120 feet deep. Perch and pier fishing were slow. The river had very little salmon movement. The lower river had some decent walleye fishing for those trolling small crank baits. Out of Grand Haven boats were catching a few Chinook and coho 65 to 130 feet down in 120 to 175 feet of water. They were catching them on white or green flies and green meat rigs. Pier anglers continue to take channel cats and freshwater drum on gizzard shad.

If you would like to see big Great Lakes fish up close, every fall the DNR offers free tours to the public and school groups at the Boardman River Weir (in downtown Traverse City), the Little Manistee River Weir (in Manistee County), and the Upper Platte River Weir (in Benzie County). These weirs – which are structures that temporarily block upstream fish passage on a river – are used by the DNR to collect eggs and milt from certain fish species for their continued production in the hatchery system. Tours for the Boardman River Weir begin the week of September 17 and will run through mid-October. Tours will be offered at various times on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information call 231-779-1321. Platte River Weir tours run during the coho salmon egg-take season, and are slated for October 16-18, 23-25 and October 30-November 1. Weir activity can be checked by calling 231-325-4611, ext. 21. Group tours are available by appointment. Little Manistee River Weir tours will be offered October 2-3 and 9-10. To check the status of activity, call the weir hotline at 231-775-9727, ext. 6072. Group tours are available by appointment. You can also book a tour online.

Hunting Michigan bear hunting seasons are here with the first having opened September 10 in the Upper Peninsula, the Lower Peninsula’s first season started September 14 in select areas, and September 16 for remaining locations below the bridge. Bear seasons have staggered openers with various locations and hunt periods. For the 2018 season there were 7,140 bear licenses available. The state’s current population is estimated at 14,000 adult black bear – almost 11,000 in the Upper Peninsula and nearly 3,000 in the northern Lower Peninsula. Learn more about the bear preference point system and how to get a license or contact Kevin Swanson at 906-458-1889.

Early antlerless firearm season (limited-license) runs September 22-23. The Liberty Hunt for youth and hunters with disabilities is also September 22-23. Archery season opens October 1. Duck season opens in the North Zone on September 29 and runs to November 25; in the Middle Zone, October 6 – December 2; and the South Zone October 13 – December 9. Regulation changes for 2018-2019 include an increased pintail limit. Hunters may take two pintails per day this season. Also new this year for nonresident waterfowl hunters is a nonresident seven-day or a non-resident three-day small game license that allows the purchase of a waterfowl license without the purchase of a nonresident base license. If you hunt or trap at the following DNR managed waterfowl hunt areas or DNR managed floodings, be aware that maintenance activities are occurring and some water levels are low. Shiawassee River State Game Area in Saginaw County’s construction has been delayed and may continue into the waterfowl season. This maintenance work will not affect the ability to have these fields flooded for the season opener. For more information, contact Jeremiah Heise at 989-865-6211. Also contact Jeremiah for more information on Crow Island State Game Area in Bay County. Currently the Davis Unit on the area’s west side is drawn down for repairs. The unit is still able to be hunted, but access may be more difficult than in previous years. Sturgeon River Sloughs State Wildlife Management Area in Houghton County is undergoing significant infrastructure improvements, but much of the area will remain open to hunting and trapping. For more information, contact John DePue, 906-353-6651. Reedsburg Dam in Missaukee County will undergo significant maintenance upgrades. The state forest campground and boat launch remain open, although drawdown likely will limit the areas boaters can reach. For more information, contact Keith Fisher at 989-275-5151. Kawkawlin Creek Flooding State Wildlife Management Area in Midland County had some upgrades and is complete, although levels still are not up to traditional or historic levels. Recent rains will continue to fill the flooding. For more information, contact Bruce Barlow at 989-426-9205. Also contact Bruce for information on the nearly finished Molasses River Flooding No.2 State Wildlife Management Area in Gladwin County.

Watervliet Rod & Gun Club The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW classes on September 13 and 15, 2018. Registration was September 11 and cost of the class is $100. 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.

Harvest Full of Blessings biker ride, Sept. 22 Attention all bikers and riders! Polish the chrome and put on those colors because it’s time for the Harvest Full of Blessings biker ride on Saturday, September 22. Bikers should meet at Harbor Sports Cycle at 2188 M-139, Benton Harbor, with registration starting at 10 a.m. This free event provides an opportunity for all to have their bikes blessed at 11:45. Kick stands up at noon with this year’s ride escorted by the Berrien County Sheriff. This event includes a free meal at the end of the ride. Harvest Full of Blessings is sponsored by Harbor Sports Cycle and Christian Motorcycle Association, Benton Harbor chapter, Prayer Re-Riders.

Do fall allergies have you down? Ragweed, a common plant in Southwest Michigan, may be the cause of your hay fever. Ragweed, a tall green plant with small yellowish-green flowers, blooms at the end of summer and can produce over one billion grains of pollen per plant. There is a common look-alike, goldenrod, which is often mistakenly blamed for the high pollen counts. There are over 20 species of goldenrod, “Solidago spp” found in Michigan, but the main way to identify is by the golden flowers, arranged in large clusters, reaching two to five feet high. One main difference is how these plants are pollinated. Ragweed is air pollinated and relies on the wind to take pollen from one plant to another. Goldenrod is insect pollinated and uses its sweet nectar to attract insects and other pollinators to feed from it. The insect unsuspectingly brushes against the pollen when feeding, and then heads over to another delicious flower and pollination can begin. Junior Naturalist Club starts this Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to noon and will meet once a month through May. This is a special club for kids, ages 7-12, who are really interested in nature and want to learn what it means to be a Sarett naturalist. Fee is $6 per session or $45 for all. Call 269-927-4832 with questions or to register.