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.
Capt. Dan KeatingCooler-Busting Tactics In a Changing Fishery is the theme of the Great Lakes Angler Magazine Super Salmon School, which will take place Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Michiana Outdoors Show.
Taught by Capt. Dan Keating and Dave Mull, the school, now in its 12th year, presents cutting-edge tactics and tackle to anglers who want to catch more Great Lakes salmon and trout.
Cost is $55 per person and the class starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and attendees can pre-register by calling 847-395-5730. The first 100 to register get a tackle bag with gear from companies that support the school.
Dave MullKeating, Antioch, Ill., has been a charter captain for 32 years and has averaged an incredible 17 fish per trip. He recently finished his third book on Great Lakes fishing and has also produced two videos on the topic.
Mull, Paw Paw, Mich., has worked for Great Lakes Angler Magazine for more than 15 years and has gathered information from a vast number of successful anglers.
School topics will include Catch Kings All Day, Dealing with Currents, Brown and Laker Dominance, Small Boat Spreads, Bait: The Great Equalizer and more.
For more information, visit www.GLAngler.com and the Great Lakes Angler Super Salmon School page on Facebook.
(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Michigan offers some fantastic fishing during the fall months - particularly for salmon and steelhead.Michigan offers some fantastic fishing during the fall months - particularly for salmon and steelhead. Now can be the perfect time to target them, if you know where to go and what techniques to use.
Here's a look at the various species the state has to offer:
Atlantic Salmon: Fishing for Atlantic salmon is huge on the St. Marys River; in fact this spot is considered the best recreational Atlantic salmon fishery west of the East Coast. Most anglers troll for this species using downriggers, but other popular methods are fly fishing for them with wet flies or spin fishing for them with plugs, spinners and spoons.
Fall fishing opportunities on Trail Creek in northwestern Indiana should improve thanks to a change in how the sea lamprey barrier on that stream operates.
The seasonal modification to the LaPorte County barrier will make it easier for salmon and steelhead trout to move upstream, while still blocking the invasive sea lamprey, according to DNR Lake Michigan fisheries biologist Brian Breidert.
"Anglers should be excited about this change," Breidert said.
The Indiana DNR will extend trout fishing opportunities at five northern Indiana streams with additional trout stockings.
The five streams are Pigeon River in Steuben and LaGrange counties, Turkey Creek in LaGrange County, Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County, Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County and Potato Creek in St. Joseph County.
Pigeon River, Turkey Creek and Little Elkhart River will be stocked for the weekend of May 10-11 and May 24-25, which is Memorial Day weekend. The Little Kankakee River and Potato Creek will only be stocked for Memorial Day weekend.