By Louie Stout

A Rant Over Launch EtiquetteA Rant Over Launch Etiquette

Excuse me while I rant this week.

Admittedly, I’m not very patient. It’s a flaw, I know. But so is being an inconsiderate, lackadaisical schmuck who holds everyone up.

It happens everywhere. Like, the other day I stood in line for 15 minutes behind several people at a fast food joint. I was headed to the lake, wanted a bite to eat and figured McDonalds could keep me on schedule.

Wrong. Of course, there were the stereotypical indifferent behind the counter. We’ve come to expect that.

But when the lady customer in front of me - who waited in line as well - finally gets her turn to order, she steps to the counter and says, “Oh gee…I don’t know what I want” and then wants to play 50 questions with the apathetic girl wearing golden arches on her shirt.

I was good, avoided saying what was on my mind, bit my tongue, got my order and left – in a huff.

So what does this have to do with the outdoors? Try visiting one of Michiana’s boat launches on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Same deal.


By Louie Stout

In Michigan, If you catch 25 bluegill like this one caught  by Brooke Schaap, you’ve limited out.  In Indiana, you can keep 100.In Michigan, If you catch 25 bluegill like this one caught by Brooke Schaap, you’ve limited out. In Indiana, you can keep 100.

In Michigan, If you catch 25 bluegill like this one caught by Brooke Schaap, you’ve limited out. In Indiana, you can keep 100.

Proponents seeking an Indiana bluegill bag limit gained some support from a 2016 DNR Licensed Angler Survey conducted last winter.

At least 60 percent of the anglers responding to a mailed survey said they would support a bluegill harvest limit and a size limit on crappies. Less than 26 percent expressed opposition.

Are you listening DNR?

Northern Fisheries Supervisor Jeremy Price says biologists are listening but want to proceed carefully.

As it stands today, you can keep 100 bluegills if you wish.

Remarkably, some anglers do.

As you may recall, Indiana proposed a bluegill bag limit a few years ago, but backed off when it was pointed out that the proposal put too many constraints on tourist anglers.


Louie StoutLouie StoutSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Longtime Bassmaster Senior Writer and Michiana resident Louie Stout joins four others as new inductees to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

Other inductees include the late Wade Bourne, another veteran bass writer, Elite pro Shaw Grigsby, Bob Sealy, and Morris Sheehan. They will be enshrined at the Hall’s new permanent home within Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. Nov. 9.

Bass Pro Shops and its Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium will become the permanent home of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

“This is a special milestone for the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. The goal since our founding in 2003 has always been to have a home to honor our inductees and their accomplishments in the sport of bass fishing,” said Donald Howell, BFHOF Board of Directors president. “We all look forward to sharing and celebrating a special night with Wade’s family, Shaw, Bob, Morris and Louie. And we are all anxious to showcase our past inductees in the Hall’s new home.”


The hull of Bergren’s Ranger boat was destroyed when he hit a pipe when entering a channel near Burns Harbor. It filled with water, but didn’t sink.The hull of Bergren’s Ranger boat was destroyed when he hit a pipe when entering a channel near Burns Harbor. It filled with water, but didn’t sink.

The hull of Bergren’s Ranger boat was destroyed when he hit a pipe when entering a channel near Burns Harbor. It filled with water, but didn’t sink.

Bobby Bergren is Happy to be Alive

And lucky, too.

The Munster, Ind. angler and his partner escaped serious injury in a boating accident on Lake Michigan July 10 and they want others to learn from their experience – and mistakes.

“If God wanted us to die early, we would be dead,” the 28-year old Bergren said. “For some reason, he kept us alive.”

Banged and battered, Bergren and Boston were happy to be alive.Banged and battered, Bergren and Boston were happy to be alive.He and 22-year-old Ian Boston, also of Munster, were bass fishing on Lake Michigan that morning. They launched in East Chicago, ran to Chicago, caught a few fish and then made the surprisingly smooth, 20-mile ride back to the ArcelorMittal shipping channel near Burns Harbor.

“I wasn’t real familiar with the area but knew there was a discharge back in there that bass will congregate around from time to time,” said Bergren. “The problem was I was thinking about catching fish and lost sight of the importance of being safe.”