Outdoors

FISHING

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fishing report states the water temperatures are pretty warm everywhere and it looks like the warm weather will continue as we move into the dog days of summer.  Fish head deep or look for thick weed beds and shaded areas during extremely warm weather.  The DNR tip this week is where to target Muskellunge in Michigan this summer.  The following list of four water bodies should be at the top of your list where to find them.  Tahquamenon River in Luce County from below the falls all the way to Lake Superior produces great Muskie fishing.  Thornapple Lake in Barry County has Muskies on the east or west ends of the lake.  Please note there is a 50-inch minimum size limit on this lake.  Skegemog Lake in Kalkaska County has a good spot to focus on, the edges of a deep hole that is off of the entrance to Elk Lake.  Lake St. Clair in St. Clair County has lots of inlets and outlets on the lake to provide ideal conditions for Muskies.  Do not forget a non-transferable Muskellunge Harvest Tag is required to harvest any Muskellunge in Michigan.  For more information, visit  ww.michigan.gov/muskie or check out the 2016-2017 Fishing Guide.  Ellinee Bait & Tackle by Coloma report that the lakes in the surrounding area and of course Paw Paw Lake are producing plenty of Bluegills and Crappie.  This is family fishing time and the visiting families and locals are enjoying it.  Those targeting the bigger fish are not having that much success.  In South Haven Pyle’s Porthole reports the Perch fishing has improved and some nice 8-inch to 13-inch ones are being caught.  They are being caught in 40 to42 feet of water, north of the pier in front of the trailer park.  Lake Salmon, a few Steelheads and a Brown Trout were caught in water 90 to 120 feet deep on blue, green yellow and orange spoons.  River fishing has been slow but anglers are still catching Catfish, a Bass or two and a Pike now and then.  Anglers going up river at night using crawlers have been able to catch a few Walleye.  Anglers out of St. Joseph said Perch fishing was good though it slowed some.  They were fishing mainly south of the piers in 30 feet of water.  Salmon fishing was slow but some Lake Trout were caught in 100 feet of water.  Pier anglers caught a couple freshwater drum on crawlers or shrimp near the bottom.  In Grand Haven boat anglers were starting to see an increase in the number of Chinook Salmon.  Most were caught 60 to 120 feet down in 90 to 160 feet of water using green or white flies and meat rigs.  Pier anglers caught freshwater drum on minnows.  Pyle’s Porthole store is closing after nine years of serving the community.  They will be holding a Gambler Liquidation Sale starting August 1; starting with 5% off the tackle they have and growing by 1% off each day of the sale, ending on Labor Day at 40% off.  This is a tackle only sale.  Hours are Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HUNTING

The DNR Outdoor Skills Academy in Cadillac still has seats available for its bear hunting clinics Sunday, August 7 and Saturday, August 13.  Each clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The class covers habitat, gear, stand placement, baiting, rules and regulations, carcass care and hide care.  The cost is $25.00, which includes the clinic, door prizes, Michigan DNR Bear Patch and lunch.  Register for the clinic on Michigan’s e-store at www.michigan.gov/estore; or by phoneor email, contact Ed Shaw at 231-779-1321 or shawe@michigan.gov.  Weather and water levels are affecting wild birds in Grand Traverse and Wayne Counties.  The DNR recently diagnosed type C botulism in wild waterfowl along the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay and along Marsh Creek in Woodhaven.  During the first week of July, dead Mallards were collected and sent for testing at the DNR Wildlife Disease Lab in Lansing and just recently the lab confirmed the disease.  “This isn’t rare,” said Julie Melotti, Pathologist.  “Fortunately, type C botulism is not an immediate risk to humans, although pets, including dogs, could acquire the toxin if they were to eat a dead bird.  So at this time, it’s best to keep your dog on a leash.”  For more information about botulism, see the Michigan DNR Wildlife Disease Manual at www.michigan.gov/wildlifediseasemanual.   The DNR is seeking volunteers to help youth shoot and fish at the U.P. State Fair August 15-21 in Escanaba.  Volunteers are needed to help staff the fishing pier and archery and pellet gun ranges at the DNR Pocket Park, which is located off U.S. 2 within the U.P. State Fairgrounds.  Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Janet Canode at 517-284-6033.  The DNR invites the public to enjoy “Meteors & S’mores” at state parks August 10-13 during Perseid meteor shower.  Complimentary S’mores and campfires are part of the celebration.  Designated viewing areas and viewing times will be specified at each park.  Van Buren State Park in Van Buren County will hold their event on Friday, August 12 from 9 to 11 p.m.  For more information about these events in other parks, contact Stephanie Wirtz at 989-274-6182.

COLOMA ROD & GUN CLUB

The Coloma Rod and Gun Club will hold their CCW Class on August 13.  Registration day is Sunday, August 7 between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the club house.  The class fee is $100.00 with $50.00 deposit due at sign-up.  Class is taught by a certified NRA and RSO Instructor.  For more information, call 269-621-3370.

The sight of a wasp around plants frightens most people. A knowledgeable gardener, however, happily embraces the insect’s presence. Both solitary and social wasps are extremely beneficial to gardens. The adults eat pollen and nectar and, in their search for food, pollinate plants. They are as proficient at this job as honeybees.  Wasp larvae eat insects and arthropods. The worm-like young cannot hunt for themselves so adults provide the food.  Solitary wasps capture their prey with paralyzing venom. This ensures that the living victim food does not rot away before the larvae eat it.  Social wasps do not sting their prey. They only use their venom for defense. Instead, they use their powerful cutting mandibles to cut caterpillars and beetle larvae into bite-sized pieces.  Watch lizard feeding on August 9 at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children.  Learn about the turtles of Sarett on August 11 at 3:00 p.m.  Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children.