It’s simple math really: Zero eggs equals zero fish for future stocking programs.
So, the spring walleye and steelhead egg collections by the Michigan DNR are critical components of the strategy for maintaining world-class fishing opportunities in the Great Lakes State.
Nearly fifty years have now passed since the first paddletail swimbaits splashed down in U.S. waters, the earliest designs having likely originated in France. Today, paddletails have almost singlehandedly rewritten the rules of soft plastics engagement. Fans of catching bass, crappie, walleye and inshore slams nearly always cast these ingenious tail-driven baits, each version capable of different retrieve speeds, actions and the almighty thump.
Gamakatsu has announced a proprietary new finish for their most popular hook styles.
By Louie Stout
A major study of St. Joseph River bass kicks off this week and the Indiana DNR needs your help.
Biologists will be sampling bass from Bristol, Ind. to the Michigan state line and some 150 will be tagged with small metal clips to their jaws.
Anglers who catch those tagged bass can earn Bass Pro Shops gift cards valued from $5 to $25. The gift cards were purchased from contributions made by several fishing and conservation clubs. Locally, the St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers were a contributor.
The study is part of a state-wide assessment of river bass populations in which the DNR will tag 500 fish on the West Fork White River (Madison, Hamilton and Marion counties), Eel River (Wabash, Miami and Cass counties), and St. Joseph River (St. Joseph and Elkhart counties) throughout this summer and fall.
By Louie Stout
The Michigan DNRs proposed community park and boat access to Eagle and Juno lakes is moving through the system and gaining support - despite continued resistance from lakefront property owners.
The proposed development was approved by the Michigan Waterways Commission recently and now awaits final approval from the DNR Natural Resources Commission at its meeting Aug. 8.
But first, the DNR must present a preliminary review of its plans to the Ontwa Township Planning Commission Aug. 7.
Along with its blessing, the Waterways Commission recommended the DNR make the site fee-based, meaning users would have to purchase a recreation Passport sticker that also provides access to state parks, campgrounds and other fee-based boat launch sites.
Once the DNR Commission gives its approval, officials can finalize the $600,000 purchase from 1st Source Bank and start developing. The property sits across from the Eagle launch ramp and served as parking area for boaters before 1st Source Bank obtained it in a foreclosure. It consists of 9.62 acres on the east side of Eagle Lake Road.
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