Fishing
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to check out the DNR’s You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/MichiganDNR for a variety of videos to help you build your fishing skills. Watching these short, informative videos can be perfect for those who are new to the sport or those who are looking to enhance their skills. Be sure to bookmark the channel as new videos will be added to it this summer. At the site you will find videos that teach you various aspects of fishing; including how to bait and set a hook, reel in a fish, choose the right equipment when targeting panfish, clean and care for your catch, tie a fisherman’s knot and properly catch-and-release a fish. All of these videos are available in the department’s “How To” play list. Pyle’s Porthole of South Haven reported fishing on the big lake was a little slow. Anglers were still able to find some nice Lake Trout in 110 to 120 feet of water. Perch were being taken in 65 feet of water, straight out from the pier. Most inland lakes in the area are giving anglers plenty of Bluegills as they are all bedding now. Ellinee Bait & Tackle reported that the fishing has been spotty in the area, with a few Bass but no Walleye or Pike to speak of. Family fun can be had fishing for panfish as the Bluegills are biting now as they bed. Those Catfishing are doing well too. One angler brought in a 34 inch channel Cat to be weighed (15 lbs.) that he had caught in Paw Paw Lake on Dip Bait. Fishing for boat anglers out of St. Joseph was slow as strong winds made it difficult and few boats left the harbor. Pier anglers caught a fair number of Steelhead on shrimp. The St. Joseph River is producing Bass and large Catfish. Anglers targeting Catfish continue to do well with crawlers, shrimp, bluegills or cut bait. The DNR is investigating the Muskellunge fisheries of the state by distributing an online angler survey. Fisheries managers have difficulties obtaining Muskellunge angler information through traditional survey methods, such as creel and postcard surveys. Starting this year the survey is being conducted online and can be found on the DNR and Michigan Muskie Alliance. Please note that anglers must obtain a Muskellunge harvest tag when deciding to harvest a fish. Those interested in registering a harvested Muskellunge can visit www.michigan.gov/muskie. The DNR in partnership with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has announced a proposed initiative that aims to bring back an extirpated species of fish to the state – Arctic Grayling. Michigan’s native Grayling population die off nearly a century ago due to statewide logging efforts of the 1800’s, over-fishing and general habitat destruction. The proposed initiative will seek to establish self-sustaining populations of Arctic Grayling throughout its historical range. For more information on the Grayling’s history, visit www.michigan.gov/fishid. Fisheries research vessels will begin their annual surveys of Great Lakes fish populations. The research is designed to examine and collect information on all aspects of the Great Lakes fish community and habitat. On Lake Michigan, the Survey Vessel (S/V) Steelhead conducts a variety of fisheries assessments and evaluations, including spring evaluations of adult yellow Perch, Whitefish, Lake Trout and Chinook salmon populations. Later in the summer, the S/V Steelhead teams up with vessels from the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate lake-wide forage fish abundance; which is critical information for a proper management of Trout and Salmon in this lake. Throughout the summer, DNR vessels are visible residents of Great Lakes ports. The public is encouraged to visit the vessels and talk with the crews about fisheries assessment operations. Learn more about the efforts of each of the DNR’s vessels at the Fisheries Division’s Research website or check out the DNR’s fact sheet about these research vessels online. A Boating Safety Class will be held at Hayes State Park in Lenawee County on Saturday, June18. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach a boating safety course at the park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upon successful completion of the class, students will be issued a boating safety certificate. Pre-register for the class by calling 517-581-1029.
Hunting
The State game area managers with the DNR are seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game and wildlife areas located in the southeastern region of the state. The master plans are important in guiding habitat management, based on both the featured species selected for management at each state game and wildlife area and use of the areas for recreation such as hunting and wildlife viewing. Draft master plans are available online below;
St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area in St. Clair County. Submit comments to Terry McFadden at McFaddenT@michigan.gov.
Goose Lake State Game Area in Washtenaw County. Submit comments to Kristin Bissell at BissellK@michigan.gov.
Davisburg State Game Area in Oakland County. Submit comments to Julie Oakes at OakesJ@michigan.gov.
These plans will be available for review through July 11. The final master plans will be made available on the DNR website by September 1.
Watervliet Rod & Gun Club
The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club will hold their CPL/CCW class on June 23 and June 25; sign up is June 21 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.
The aerobatic display of a hunting bat is another of the many summer wonders. Every schoolchild knows that bats hunt by echolocating their prey. Most people assume that bats are the only animals that echolocate. However, dolphins, porpoises and other members of the whale family use echolocation to navigate through the oceans. The naval service studied this phenomenon to develop sonar systems for its ships. Birds that nest in caves, such as the oilbird of Venezuela and the cave swiftlet of southern India, use echolocation to find their way in the complete darkness of their home. In Michigan, the tiny shrew relies on echolocation, instead of its poor vision, to move about underground tunnels and assist during the endless search for food.
Learn about turtles
Learn about the turtles of Sarett at this family program on Thursday, June 23 at 3:00 pm at the Nature Center. $5/adult and kids are free. Kayak the St. Joseph River Enjoy an evening kayak paddle on the St. Joseph River with Sarett on Saturday June 25 at 5:00 pm. Cost is $25 and includes a guide, transportation, and equipment. You must call to register at 269-927-4832.
Explore the shores of Grand Mere State Park
Explore the shores of Grand Mere State Park for interesting rocks and fossils and learn some basic identification clues from a Sarett Naturalist. The cost is $7 and includes transportation to and from the Nature Center. Please call to register.
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