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Published: 07 December 2015

By Louie Stout

Indiana’s famed muskie fishery got a checkup this fall as fish managers try to restore the fabulous fishing of a few years ago.

That’s not to say it’s bad right now. In fact, we’re in prime time muskie fishing on those Kosciusko County lakes that attract anglers from around the Midwest. Several 45-plus and 50-inch fish have been caught this year.

In case you didn’t know, Webster Lake is one of the Midwest’s best muskie fisheries for several years. Anglers drive here from Ohio, Illinois and southern Indiana to fish for the monster fish.

When it was in its prime, it was nothing for a good muskie angler to hook up several fish in a day, not to mention attract numerous, nerve-racking follows.

But the muskie fishing has been declining in recent years, especially after lake residents killed the aquatic plants with a devastating application of high powered chemicals in 2010. The lake turned the color of chocolate milk and fishing declined considerably for all gamefish.

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Published: 15 October 2015

By Louie Stout

St. Joe River Bluegill UnderutilizedIt’s rare to hear a bluegill fisherman say he wished there were more anglers like him fishing his favorite waters.

Ken McCormack is one of those rarities.

Perhaps his name sounds familiar. The 71-year-old retiree is the former owner of Great Lakes Sportsman that once served as a popular hangout for anglers and hunters.

“In those days, I devoted more time to running a business than I did fishing,” said the Mishawaka angler.

He’s making up for it now, fishing nearly every day on the St. Joseph River for bluegills.

That’s right, bluegills.

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