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By Louie Stout
DNR Won’t Be Taking Muskie, Walleye Eggs This Year
If these were normal times, you’d see DNR workers manning nets this week for adult muskies at Lake Webster.
But the times they are a changin’.
There will be no muskie collection or egg taking this year due to stay-at-home orders and the Covid-19 crisis.
In addition, Indiana will not be capturing adult walleyes at Brookville Reservoir to collect eggs for near-future stockings.
Northern Fisheries Supervisor Jeremy Price said it was a tough decision to make. The projects require a process in which staffers would be working in close quarters and confined spaces. Biologists would be working shoulder to shoulder in handling nets and fish and be working in a confined area while stripping eggs from adult fish.
“We brainstormed ways to work around it but it just isn’t something we could do without compromising the staff,” he said. “We made a tough call but have to live with it.”
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By Louie Stout
Want more reasons to avoid group gatherings at boat launches?
South Carolina’s Governor closed public access to state boat ramps and beaches on lakes, rivers and waterways.
Gov. Henry McMaster said the closure was due to “behavior observed this past weekend by the Department of Natural Resources and SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division). This is unfortunate for those who chose to responsibly follow the instructions of our public health officials, but it is necessary action to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.”
It is Michiana Outdoors News hope that anyone planning fishing contests – private, public, small or large - would reconsider. Such actions could jeopardize all of our remaining fishing rights during this crisis.
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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.
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By Louie Stout
If you’re looking for a silver lining in these trying times, go fishing.
At the time of this writing, South Bend and St. Joseph County officials had issued an advisory urging people to stay home except for essential travel. Therefore, use your own discretion based upon local laws and advisories.
Also at the time of this writing, all boat ramps in Indiana and Michigan were open, contrary to some rumors. Tackle shops were doing their best to keep doors open as well.
And some more good news; Michigan announced it’s waiving the need for the Recreation Passport for entry at state parks and other destinations, to include boat ramps, during the COVID-19 situation. However, you may find restrooms and other facilities closed.
If you can get out, your chances of catching fish are improving. The fish are waking up from winter and starting to prowl. That includes steelhead in the river and panfish in the lakes.
The steelhead have been pouring into Indiana waters of the St. Joseph River. Lake Michigan fisheries biologist Ben Dickinson said 3,177 steelhead have passed over the South Bend ladder this month. More than 1,200 of those moved up last week.
That brings the total to 3,839 since January. Last year, 3,900 ran into South Bend during the month of March. March typically averages between 1,000 and 3,000 fish.