Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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By Louie Stout
The Indiana DNR has been pumping trout into area lakes and streams in preparation for next Saturday’s trout opener.Bluegill, bass and steelhead may be on the minds of most anglers in the spring, but the last Saturday in April is a big deal for stream trout fishermen in Indiana and Michigan.
Not only does the stream season open April 25 in both states, but Hoosier fish managers have been busy stocking area waters in preparation for the big day. More than 55,000 trout will have been planted prior to the Saturday opener.
Michigan’s trout regulations are rather complicated and differ from stream to stream. Anglers would be wise to study the 2015 Fishing Guide or visit www.michigan.gov/DNR for specifics.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
An Indiana emergency rule has lifted portions of Trail Creek and the East Branch of the Little Calumet River from a previous fishing ban.
The sections were closed from April 1-June 15 to protect recently stocked salmon and trout. However, the DNR believes opening the season will provide more fishing opportunities without harming the stocking program. Previously, the seasons were closed to protect 7-inch yearlings which was the inland size limit at that time. But now that the size limit is 14 inches on all Lake Michigan tributaries, that protection isn’t required.
In addition, stocking locations have been moved farther upstream to spread out the fish.
Anglers are reminded that tributary restrictions for fishing above and below dams remain in effect.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The Indiana DNR will stock more than 55,000 trout throughout the state in time for stream trout season, which starts April 25.
Trout can be harvested in Indiana streams between 6 a.m. on the last Saturday in April and Dec. 31. Trout can be harvested year-round on Indiana lakes.
The state's 2015 trout stocking plan and list of stocking locations can be found here.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR will be collecting steelhead eggs at the Little Manistee River weir in Stronach (Manistee County).
Steelhead egg collection to occur on Little Manistee River this spring.Since 1968, the Little Manistee River weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes.
To provide a backup egg-take source in case of emergencies, another broodstock steelhead population is being developed on the Platte River in Benzie County. This population will be used only if the Little Manistee River spawning run fails to provide enough fish. Steelhead provide one of Michigan's premier sport fishing opportunities for both Great Lakes open water and tributary stream fishing.
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By Louie Stout
Naturally-produced steelhead smoltAddition by subtraction may not make sense to some, but trout and salmon fish managers believe it does when stocking the St. Joseph River.
Beginning this year, Skamania will be stocked in fewer numbers, but biologists believe it will increase the fall returns because the fish will be stocked as a larger size and survive better.
Previously, Indiana stocked 130,000 7-inch Skamania. Beginning this year, that number will be reduced to about 75,000 8-inchers.
The strategy has worked with walleye on the St. Joe, where a stocking number reduction, coupled with planting larger fish sizes, has delivered a better fishery.