Updates on Eagle Lake Ramp, Deer Harvest and Erie Walleye Numbers

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Published: 02 January 2026

By Louie Stout

Cleaning up some notes from 2025…

Eagle Lake Boat Ramp inches forward

There’s some good news regarding the Michigan DNR’s development of a new boat ramp on Eagle Lake in Cass County.

Finally…after months of delays…the state’s Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Division has approved the plans for development of a new access. EGLE had approved them once before, but legal delays forced expiration of the permit, so the DNR had to resubmit its plans.

The permit was approved in early December, but DNR Development Program Manager Jordan Byelich said there are “many steps before the project is constructed.”

“We still have to do plan reviews and get finalizations, gather funding and get other approvals,” he said. “I hope we will move forward with some of these steps in early 2026.”

What he didn’t say - but what can be expected – is the plans will have to be presented before the Ontwa Township board for approval. That will be yet another major hurdle considering the Eagle Lake Improvement Association has spent thousands of dollars fighting the new public access.

We’ll keep you posted as to when that may occur.

Indiana/Michigan deer harvest numbers

As of Dec. 29, Michigan’s total deer harvest for 2025 was down across the board while Indiana had a slight increase compared to last year.

Michigan’s numbers were likely down due to deer diseases that have impacted the herd and perhaps some hunter interest. Those drops in harvest rates were noticeable in several counties along the Michigan Indiana border.

Hunting and fishing license sales also declined slightly.

Indiana, which also was impacted by deer disease in some counties, saw a slight uptick in buck and doe harvest.

Erie walleye booming

The future of Lake Erie walleye and perch continues to shine brightly.

According to Ohio’s Lake Erie biologists, fall surveys of the walleye spawned (3-4 inchers) in the spring revealed last year produced the sixth best in history. Within about two years, those fish will reach the legal length of 15 inches.

The lake is loaded with walleyes from previous year classes which indicate fishing in 2026 should remain superb.

Similar surveys of yellow perch showed another good crop of those fish were produced last spring as well.

Biologists say the lake has lots of forage, good water quality and is in excellent condition.

Old-school Jim Horn is a Michiana Fish Sniper

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Published: 29 December 2025

Michiana Sportsman Spotlight

By Louie Stout

Name: Jim Horn
Hometown: Buchanan, Mich.
Occupation: Postal Supervisor
Favorite species and biggest fish of that species: Mostly bass, 24 ½-inch largemouth with an 1- inch girth.
Favorite Michiana lake: Diamond Lake
Hobbies when not fishing: Making baits for own use
If you on had one lure and why: ½-ounce black/blue or green pumpkin jig with a craw trailer because it catches big fish. When bass are keying on crawfish, I like a jig with a stand-up head.
Favorite rod and reel: Berkley Lightning Rod with Lew’s Super Duty Baitcaster.
Best tip to give a new Michiana angler: If you’re going to fish the St. Joseph River, practice casting accuracy. First cast needs to be on the money; if you land 8-12 inches away, you probably won’t get bit. Also, clearer the water, the farther you need to stay away from the target.

Jim Horn is a simple man who catches a heckuva lot of fish.

And while bass is his preferred species, he’s put the hurt on a lot of other species, such as walleye, panfish and pike.

His fishing philosophy is a lot different than most anglers’. He doesn’t get too caught up in modern technology or fancy lures.

Read more …