By Louie Stout
It’s time to reflect on the previous 12 months and ponder what lies ahead in the coming New Year.
As we close the chapter on 2019, several of the issues and experiences that confronted sportsmen – good and bad - will remain in play during 2020.
Here are some that I’ll be watching:
When will Eagle Lake residents give up the fight against a badly needed public access? It’s been six years since the DNR purchased the land but lake association attorneys keep filing suits against the DNR to prevent it. It’s unimaginable the amount of money being spent by lake residents to prevent access to a lake that once had a public access.
Since some northern Indiana lakes are showing high numbers of bass but slow growth, could we see more slot limits put in place?
Can’t believe the Michigan Legislature supported removing the deer baiting ban. Fortunately, the governor listened to the wildlife scientists and vetoed the bill.
It remains odd that Indiana fish managers continue to bury any discussion of a bluegill bag limit – a bag limit that most anglers support – since the panfish has always been ranked as Indiana’s most popular sportfish.
Could 2020 be the year that Indiana’s 45-year walleye record falls? If so, it likely will come from Lake Michigan and probably within sight of Michigan City.
If spring produces stable weather, look for an excellent Lak Michigan trout/salmon fishery on the southern end of the lake. Giant king salmon have been making a comeback the last few years and 2020 promises to be another dandy.
A lot of big bucks were taken under good hunting conditions during last fall’s bow and gun season. It will be interesting to see if 2020 produces similar results.
Recent studies show the St. Joseph River produce impressive numbers of smallmouth bass, including big ones. Although no official study has been conducted, could this be a sign that the slot limit is paying off?
Hope other lake associations wanting to kill off their aquatic plant life remember what happened at Indiana’s Lake Webster. Several years ago lakefront property owners paid to carpet bomb lake vegetation. The lake turned chocolate brown and the fishery, especially muskies, suffered dearly. That’s all changed since the plant life and water clarity has come back. Last year’s DNR muskie egg-taking project produced a record number of adult muskies and eggs.
Hudson Lake’s boat launch in the shallow backwaters has been a big hit, although motoring from the ramp to the main lake will be tough during low water periods. The DNR plans to dredge a channel through the shallow vegetation – let’s hope it gets done in early spring.
It’s no shock that biologists often find mud puppies in Lake Maxinkuckee located in Culver, Ind. It’s the state’s second largest natural lake and arguably the healthiest. It has great habitat and water quality and one of Indiana’s broadest and most balanced fish populations.
Will Worster Lake (Potato Creek) anglers get better at catching those hybrid stripe bass? One thing is for sure – the big ones are out there!
Will Michigan’s new regulation limit the number of Hoosiers fishing in Michigan this year? Last summer’s new law requires anyone using a public access to have the passport sticker on their vehicle. Michigan residents pay only $11 while non-residents pay $33. So, if you’re a non-resident fishing in Michigan, a fishing license and passport stamp will cost you $109. Tickets will be issued to violators in 2020.
Can Michigan stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease that has infected deer in the central part of the state?
Could we expect a banner year for Lake Michigan perch fishing? Some say last year was the best in recent years and those fish that provided that action should be even larger sizes next summer.
With sandhill crane populations growing in Michigan and Indiana, don’t be surprised if we see a sandhill hunting season within the next 10 years.
When will the walleyes stocked in the St. Joseph River above Twin Branch dam start producing keeper-size walleye more consistently?