By Louie Stout
The Covid-19 crisis has certainly turned our lives upside down but fishing is offering a temporary escape.
As noted last week, Indiana and Michigan governors issued “Stay at Home” orders, but fishing is still permitted.
However, anglers must remember the situation is evolving and more changes could be made.
For example, Indiana banned all tournaments last week. Michigan previously allowed golf courses to be open but shut them down Friday. At the time of this writing, some Indiana courses remain open.
When you go fishing, it is recommended that anglers fish alone or with immediate family members to avoid any close contact with someone outside the family who may unknowingly be carrying the virus.
The state of Washington shut down fishing when it was noticed that anglers were fishing too close together. We don’t want that to happen in our area, so do your part.
License extended
The 2019-20 fishing licenses are due to expire Tuesday but Hoosiers will get a reprieve.
In an Indiana DNR Facebook announcement this week, all of last year’s annual hunting and fishing licenses have been extended until May 22. Those licenses include annual hunting, fishing, hunting and fishing combined, youth, Trout and Salmon Stamp privileges and Game Bird Habitat Stamp Privileges.
If you didn’t get a license last year you will need one. You can purchase them online at on.IN.gov/INHuntFish.
We’ve checked with Michigan officials and there are no plans to offer a license renewal extension in that state at this time. You will need a new one April 1.
Guide trips prohibited
Michigan announced it prohibits all charter and guide fishing operations that involve “boats, canoes and other marine vessels” until at least April 13. Local and state police as well as conservation officers have been granted the authority to enforce the order.
Fish stockings
As of Friday, Indiana planned to go ahead with scheduled fish stockings, to include stockings of streams and lakes in preparation for the April 25 inland trout season opener.
However, brood stock collection of walleye and muskies has been cancelled this spring. We will provide more details on that matter in this space next Sunday.
Bait, tackle availability
At the time of this writing, some bait and tackle shops were trying to accommodate angler needs on a limited basis.
However, most shops were providing curb side service for licenses, bait and a tackle items.
Kelley’s Bait in Lakeville is open and has full supply of bait while Midway Bait in Osceola has a vending machine from which you can get crawlers, wax worms, spawn bags, red wigglers and assorted tackle.
Darrin Schaap of Clear H2o in Edwardsburg said he was offering curbside livebait, licenses and tackle sales as well as shipping online orders.
Although his spring open house was cancelled, sale prices that were to be offered remain available. You also can get a free Michigan fishing license with qualified purchase. You can call the shop (269-414-4131) or visit its online store website, www.clearh2otackle.com.
Randy VanDam of D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo said the retail store is closed but staffers are handling online orders and are available to answer service and boat sales questions over the phone. He also has extended sale prices on tackle and electronics that were to be offered at his Spring Classic Show.
You can visit www.dandrsports.com to access the online store. You also can email questions to econ@dandrsports.com. If you have boat service questions call the store (269-372-2277) and dial extension 3102. For boat sales, punch extension 3116. VanDam said that if you get voice mail, leave a message and someone will call you back.
The Tackle Shack in Middlebury, Ind. is offering limited hours and curb side pickup. Call the shop (574-825-0802) for details and orders.