By Louie Stout
Indiana biologist Tom Bacula poses with 10- and 8-pound wipers he captured in nets while studying the wiper population at Potato Creek State Park.
Indiana biologist Tom Bacula poses with 10- and 8-pound wipers he captured in nets while studying the wiper population at Potato Creek State Park.
When you make out your fishing “to-do” list for next year, consider tackling the hybrid bass that are taking a foothold in Worster Lake at Potato Creek State Park.
Most people don’t know much about these gamefish that have been stocked in the park lake annually since 2011. They were planted by the Indiana DNR with hopes they’d feed heavily on the gizzard shad that have created problems for Worster Lake fish managers for years.
Best known as “wipers,” the fish are a cross between a white bass and the freshwater striped bass. The combination produces the voracious feeding habits of white bass yet one that grows to larger sizes, thanks to the striped bass genetics.
District fisheries biologist Tom Bacula says the wiper fishery is doing well and one that anglers should consider targeting. He was at the lake last fall surveying the population and came away pleasantly surprised.
“I was very impressed with the numbers and size of fish collected, especially with it being a relatively young fishery,” said Bacula. “It appears as though we have all year classes present.”
(Provided by IDNR)
Indiana State Record Spotted Gar
Jaxton Orr, a 13-year-old who lives in Fort Wayne, broke the Indiana size record for spotted gar last week while fishing on Big Lake in Noble County.
The size of Indiana state fish records are determined by weight. The record fish weighed 6.0 pounds. The old record for spotted gar was 5.1 pounds, caught from Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County in 2014 by Dale Haas. Orrís fish was 34.7 inches long and its girth measurement was 11 3/8 inches. DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson verified the record.
(Provided by All Creation Media)
Understanding Gamefish Strike Zones
Many anglers agonize over finding the hot lure or perfect color pattern for the conditions at hand, but veteran guide Bernie Keefe argues they'd catch more fish by focusing on strike zones instead.
"A strike zone is the area in which fish will respond positively to your presentation, and the size of these areas changes frequently, even during the course of a day on the water," he explains.
While Keefe concentrates most of his time connecting clients with feisty trout including lakers, browns and 'bows, along with Kokanee salmon, he's also a veteran walleye and pike fan, and says the strike zone concept applies to virtually any gamefish.
"Same with technique," he says. "Strike zones are a big deal whether you're casting, jigging or trolling."
(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Trout Fishing Locations Added to Michigans Trout Trails ApplicationWhat angler wouldn't like inside information on potentially new hot spots for Michigan trout fishing?
A second round of quality trout streams and lakes accessible to anglers has been added to the Michigan DNR online Trout Trails application to help with that. Trout Trails is a comprehensive map featuring fisheries biologist-verified trout waters that are often lesser known, but considered outstanding destination points.
This is the second phase of Trout Trails locations revealed, with more than 60 additional sites added to the application. That brings the total locations highlighted close to 200. These newly added sites are spread out over the western and central Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula and southwestern and southeastern Lower Peninsula.
Additional locations will be added over time to comprehensively provide statewide coverage of these types of waters.
Interested anglers should visit Michigan.gov/trouttrails, the Web-based Trout Trails application. Please note, Trout Trails is not a downloadable app, but it is compatible with all types of electronic devices.
Each of the nearly 200 destinations feature extensive information, including trout species available, regulations, presence of stocked or naturally reproducing fish, driving directions (with a link to Google maps), area lodging, restaurants, and noteworthy information (such as presence of fast water, canoe/kayak/tube accessibility, best times to fish, what bait or lure to use, etc.).
"These latest additions to the Trout Trails map continue to make it a go-to tool for anglers looking to plan future fishing trips," said Suzanne Stone, education and outreach specialist with the DNRs Fisheries Division. Michigan's trout fishing is world-class, and we feel this application makes it even easier to head out and experience fantastic fishing and find new fishing spots."
It should be noted that information about each Trout Trails site also is available in a printable format.