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By Louie Stout
Next weekend’s Michiana Boat & Sport Show will feature the usual displays of new boats and outdoor equipment, but the focus will be on youth.
The show opens Friday, Jan. 24 at the South Bend Century Center and runs into Sunday. Hours are 2-8 Friday, 10-8 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults and free to youths 13 and under.
“We’re making a concentrated effort to expose fishing to more youngsters,” said show promoter Dale Brindley. “We’ve built a strong seminar program around fishing targeted towards young anglers.”
Those efforts are being provided show promoters, boat manufacturer Alumacraft and Clear H2o Tackle owner Darrin Schaap.
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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.
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By Louie Stout
In case you haven’t heard, the Indiana DNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has a new look.
Division Director Amanda Wuestefeld not only has changed the organizational table but hopes to change the way the division deals with the public.
No longer is there a Chief of Fisheries or a Chief of Wildlife. Instead, she has reshaped the division with four assistant directors reporting to her.
Those new positions are Office of Public Land headed by Brad Feaster, who will oversee public land management, including public access sites; Office of Private Lands headed by Sam Whiteleather who will take stake of Indiana private land issues; Office of Science and Research led by Joe Caudill, who will govern fisheries and wildlife research and fish and wildlife health issues; and Office of Planning and Public Engagement, supervised by Angela Haywood, who will take on licensing and permits, federal aid programs, and steer the division toward more public outreach.
“When Mark (Reiter) retired as director, we talked about modernizing the fish and wildlife agency and working closer with the public and sharing our stories better,” said Wuestefeld. “We are great biologists, but not so good as social scientists.”
She added that the way the division was divided into sections prior to her changes, “things got clunky and there were a lot of duplicated efforts.”
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By Louie Stout
Technology Giving More People a Reason to Ice Fish
Ice hasn’t formed safely on Michiana waters but ice fishing sales remain brisk for local retailers who cater to the hard-water crowd.
Ice fishing participation has grown steadily over the past few years. That growth encompasses all age groups and now includes more women and families.
Technological advances in equipment, clothing and electronics have made the sport more tolerable if not enjoyable. Staying warm is no longer an issue if you’re willing to spend the bucks on cold weather clothing and insulated portable shanties.
And people are.
“I had a middle-aged guy in here the other day who decided to take up ice fishing,” said Darren Schaap of Clear H2o Tackle in Edwardsburg. “He walked out with a $500 cold-weather suit, a couple of rod and reel combos for $100, a $200 auger and another $100 in basic terminal tackle and accessories.”
Not long ago, $15 to $20 would buy you a bucket to sit on, a couple of cheap rods, tin of tiny maggots and a handful of terminal tackle. That’s all you needed to catch fish through the ice.
If you could tolerate the weather.