FISHING
As summer heats up, so does the fishing, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported. Across the state Bluegills are still being caught, however rising water temperatures have the fish moving deeper. Try wax worms, red worms, leeches or a piece of crawler. Southeast Michigan is still producing some limit catches of Walleye. Trout and Salmon fishing in the Great Lakes continues to produce a mixed bag. The DNR suggests fishing for a piece of “history”, Lake Sturgeon. They are one of Michigan’s most culturally and historically significant fish species. But many people don’t know much about these living dinosaurs. The DNR has a section of their website dedicated to all things Lake Sturgeon. The page includes their background, history, angling information, partnership efforts to manage this species, videos and photos and much more. Visit www.michigan.gov/sturgeon to learn all about this unique fish. Pyle’s Porthole reports that the Perch have been biting real good in 40 feet of water, straight out or a little south of the piers. Some Perch have also been taken at the end of the pier. Lake Trout and King Salmon were being caught in 80 to 110 feet of water. River anglers are catching Catfish and Bass, both large and smallmouth. All the local inland lakes have been producing some nice catches of an assortment of fish. Now is the time to get out there! Ellinee Bait & Tackle reported some nice catches of pan fish being taken on all the local inland lakes. Paw Paw Lake has been producing some nice Small and Largemouth Bass and some nice Crappie. Paw Paw Lake has cleared up from the June weed treatment and that should increase the bite also. Near St. Joseph, Perch fishing continues to get better in 35 to 45 feet of water. Pier anglers were getting Steelhead when floating shrimp, but as the waters warm fishing has slowed. Salmon anglers were catching decent numbers of Steelhead near the end of the piers before the warm spell. At Saugatuck the coldwater near shore brought Steelhead and Brown Trout in close. Friday, July 22, Ludington State Park will host Walleye Fishing 202. Learn to catch the elusive Walleye from a charter boat with Captain Ken Clark. Meet at the Hamlin Lake picnic shelter at 6 p.m. to enjoy this two-hour seminar. Two lucky participants will win a one-hour fishing trip with Ken immediately following the class. For more information call 231-843-2423.
HUNTING
The DNR reminds hunters that the fall turkey hunting application period is now open. The application fee is $5.00 and they will be available through August 1. Applications and licenses may be purchased at any authorized license agent or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. The 2016 fall turkey season runs September 15 to November 14. A total of 51,350 licenses are available, including 4,650 general licenses and 46,700 private-land licenses. The Fall Turkey Drawing results and leftover license availability will be posted August 11 at www.michigan.gov/turkey. More information on the hunt can also be found at that address. The DNR announced the expansion of the Core Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to include 17 townships. This area which will continue to be referred to as Deer Management Unit (DMU) 333, now will consist of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Westphalia, Riley, Olive and Victor townships in Clinton County; Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County and Oneida and Delta townships in Eaton County. The CWD Management Zone also has expanded; it now will include the remainder of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, as well as all of Ionia County. The expanded Management Zone will be referred to as DMU 419. Other regulation changes include: Banning deer feeding and baiting on all properties within the Core CWD Area and Management Zone. Opening Eaton and Ionia counties to the early Antlerless deer season. Allowing road kill deer in the Core CWD Area to be possessed and kept with a DNR-issued salvage tag from a law enforcement officer or DNR employee, as long as the head is submitted to a DNR biologist, biologist appointee or check station. Continuing from last year, other regulation reminders include: Those hunting within the Core CWD Area are required to present the head of all hunter-harvested deer within 72 hours of harvest to a DNR deer check station Hunters leaving the Core CWD Area are required to present the entire carcass of all hunter-harvested deer originating from the area within 72 hours of harvest to a DNR deer check station. (A list of deer check stations is available at www.michigan.gov/deercheck) All live free-ranging deer from within the CWD Management Zone or Core CWD Area are prohibited from being rehabilitated. Permutes located within the CWD Management Zone or Core CWD Area may no longer rehabilitate deer. To learn more about CWD, visit www.michigan.gov/cwd.
WATERVLIET ROD & GUN CLUB
The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club will hold their CPL/CCW class on July 14 and 16; sign up is July 12 between 6 and 7 p.m. at the club house. The fee for the classes is $100; a Michigan lawyer explains the law pertaining to concealed carry and you receive two NRA certificates. For more information or to be put on the list, call 269-468-3837 or 269-470-9191.
The wetland floral show continues with the swamp rose. It is the only native rose to grow in wetlands.
Swamp rose is the last of the rose species to bloom each year, perhaps because of the relatively cooler microclimate of the wetlands. The invasive mutliflora rose also grows in wetlands (it seems to grow everywhere!). However, it blooms in late spring instead of mid-summer. Its white flowers are strongly fragrant…too fragrant for some. The swamp rose’s pink flowers are also fragrant. To enjoy their delightful scent, however, you must actually sniff the flowers. Bumblebees are the rose’s primary pollinators. It’s a good thing bumblebees eat pollen because that is the only reward offered by the rose…no nectar. Learn about snakes July 14 Learn about the snakes of Sarett on July 14 at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children. Basic kayak lessons July 17 Sarett is offering basic kayak lessons for adults and teens on July 17 at 2:00 p.m. Participants meet at North Lake Park in Stevensville. Fee is $15 per person. Pre-registration is required. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Lizard feeding time July 19 Join a naturalist on July 19 at 3:00 p.m. for Lizard Feeding Time. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children. Learn about turtles July 21 Learn about the turtles of Sarett on July 21 at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children.
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