Fishing

 The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that the windy conditions on the Great Lakes are making it difficult to get out.  Salmon fishing is pretty much done and the Steelhead is moving into the rivers.  The inland lakes across the state are producing Perch, Walleye and Pike.

A reminder to anglers that Lake Trout and Splake fishing in the waters of Lake Michigan closed on October 31.

Fall is a great time to target Walleyes as they load up on their favorite baitfish before winter sets in.  These fish will target anything that looks like food – bait them accordingly.

The DNR reports some perfect spots to check out that includes various lakes throughout the state such as Portage, Manistee, White, Muskegon, Macatawa and Erie; or try the following rivers, lower Kalamazoo, lower St. Joseph, Grand, Muskegon, Saginaw and the Detroit system.

Captain Kenny of Rampage Fishing Charters out of South Haven reported few boats going out on Lake Michigan.  Those that do are catching a few young Salmon in 100 feet of water.  Steelhead is moving into the Black River and anglers are catching them from the pier and from boats using spawn and plugs.  Pan fish have been good on Eagle Lake, Duck Lake and Crooked Lake by Delton.

Ellinee Bait & Tackle by Coloma and Big Paw Paw Lake reported a steady stream of people going out to target Pike, Walleye and Bluegills.  No reports have come in about Steelhead in the Paw Paw River.

Very few boats were able to go out from St. Joseph to fish due to the rough water and the waves have kept many off the piers.  The few that have been able to get out reported decent fishing in 100 feet of water.  The pier fishing was slow with only a couple Steelheads being taken on spawn.

The St. Joseph River was producing a few Walleye.  Anglers on the Kalamazoo River have caught a couple of Steelheads.  Most were caught by boat anglers trolling spoons and body baits.

The DNR has been working hard this fall to gather necessary eggs for the continued production of hatchery fish to support management objectives for Michigan’s world-class fisheries.  Fall egg-takes have been completed or are starting soon for wild Chinook and Coho salmon and for captive brood stocks of Brown, Rainbow, Brook and Lake trout.

They had no problem hitting their target of nearly five million Coho salmon eggs at the Platte River Weir.  Captive brood stocks will provide 220,000 Brook Trout eggs, 410,000 Lake Trout eggs, 3.3 million Brown Trout eggs and 1 million Rainbow Trout eggs.  An additional 640,000 Splake eggs (Brook Trout and Lake Trout hybrid) will also be collected to support Michigan’s fisheries management objectives.  To learn more or to plan a trip to see the egg-take activities, visit www.michigan.gov/hatcheries.

Hunting

 Please note that the hunting hour’s table in the print version of the Hunting and Trapping Digest, Waterfowl Digest, Antlerless Deer Digest and Fall Turkey Digest are incorrect for November 4 and 5.  The incorrect times have been corrected in the online versions of each digest and those tables should be used for accurate shooting hours.

The DNR invites waterfowlers to bring their young hunters to one of Michigan’s Wetland Wonders in November for a memorable hunting experience.  Hunters can choose from several dates and locations for youth waterfowl hunts.  Parties with at least one youth will be given priority in the draw at all seven Wetland Wonders.

Dates for special hunts and locations: November 5 – Fennville Farm unit of the Allegan State Game Area in Fennville; November 5 – Shiawassee River State Game Area in St. Charles; November 11 – Harsens Island Managed Hunt Area on Harsens Island; and November 13 – Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Rockwood.  For more information about hunting the managed waterfowl hunt areas, visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.

The DNR is seeking bear den locations in northern Lower Peninsula.  While out in the field, hunters and trappers could come upon a denned Black Bear.  The DNR is looking for locations in order to fit them with a radio collar for an ongoing bear management program.

Those who encounter bear dens are asked to record the location, (with a GPS unit if possible) and contact Mark Boersen at 989-275-5151 with specific location information.  Remember it is illegal to disturb a bear den or disturb, harm or molest a bear in its den.

Coloma Rod & Gun Club

The Coloma Rod and Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW Class on November 12.  Class registration is held on Sunday November 6 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 $100.00.  For more information or to be put on the list, call 269-621-3370.

 Once the initial terror of meeting a tarantula has passed, visitors are curious about how tarantulas behave in the wild. Interest in the hunting techniques is second only to questions about the toxicity of the venom. The two topics are intricately connected as spiders use their venom to subdue and then predigest their food.

 Tarantulas are ambush hunters. One will sit in or near its home burrow waiting for insects and other arthropods (including spiders) to walk by. Subdued prey may be crushed to hasten the liquefaction process begun by the injection of venom. Additional digestive enzymes are sprayed from the chelicerae (fangs) until the prey is a nice soupy consistency that can be sucked into the stomach.

A spider’s chelicerae are akin to a “pantry” in that the venom is stored there in parts. If it were premixed, the venom could dissolve the spider itself since it is designed to digest arthropod prey. Spiders use different “recipes” to produce different venoms for different jobs: defense, subduing prey, digesting prey.

Spaces are filling up for Trivia Night on November 12. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for team snacks and visiting; trivia begins at 7:00 p.m. Fee for a team table of 10 is $100; individuals are $10 each. Adults only, please; cash bar available. Reservations and prepayment are required.

Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.