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St. Joe Bass Masters Report
The St. Joe Valley Bass Masters have changed their 46th annual free youth fishing tournament location from Potato Creek State Park to Pin Hook Park in South Bend.
The annual youth derby is Aug. 13 and is open to all kids ages 4 to 14. The youth fishing contest is one of the longest running kid events in the Midwest and averages approximately 200 kids each year. In fact, some parents and grandparents participated in this event when they were youngsters.
The park is located at Riverside Drive and Boland Drive in South Bend. The change was necessary because Potato Creek State Park has begun construction on a new inn on the land where the contest used to be held.
There will be both boy and girl divisions. Age groups are 4-7, 8-11, and 12-14 in each division. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Each contestant gets a free T-shirt.
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IDNR Report
Several rule changes that affect DNR properties took effect today, with the Natural Resources Commission, Attorney General’s Office, and Governor’s Office having recently approved them.
Changes include the following:
- Stands or blinds (including portable ground blinds) are allowed to be left overnight on DNR properties if the blind or stand is legibly marked with the name, address and phone number of the owner or the owner's customer identification number issued by the DNR.
- Trail/game cameras can be placed on properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, as well as on state forests, and state recreation areas as long as the camera is legibly marked with the owner's name, address, phone number or customer identification number issued by DNR. Placement of the camera must not damage a tree.
- The placing of bait for wildlife is prohibited on any DNR property. Exceptions are granted for bait or food placed for wildlife management as authorized by DNR, the result of authorized agricultural operations on the property (like tenant farming) or a bird feeder placed by a DNR employee. The definition of bait includes (1) a food that is transported to and placed for consumption, including but not limited to piles of corn and apples placed on the property; (2) prepared solids or liquids manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock, wild deer or birds, including, but not limited to, commercial baits and food supplements; (3) salt; and (4) mineral supplements.
- The collection of shed antlers without a permit is allowed, except on dedicated Nature Preserves.
- Via a permit, magnet fishing is allowed on public waters on DNR properties as long as the magnet is able to be carried and retrieved by hand. Individuals will need to contact the respective property office to get a permit for magnet fishing on a DNR property.
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IDNR Report
The outlook for walleye and saugeye fishing looks good for upcoming years after a total of 28.3 million walleye fry, 529,404 walleye fingerlings, and 101,800 saugeye were stocked at various locations around Indiana this spring.
Stocking for these species is scheduled annually because they don’t reproduce naturally in most locations.
Fry were stocked at the end of April, while walleye and hybrid walleye fingerlings were stocked at the end of May and early this month. Typically, walleye and hybrid walleye will reach 14 inches two years after being stocked and 16 inches after three years.
Because this year was successful for egg collection, hatching rates for fry, and fingerling production, hatchery staff and biologists were able to fully stock all requested locations, including a few that were on the surplus list.
“Expect good walleye fishing to continue in future years,” said Tom Bacula, DNR fisheries biologist.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife recently completed spring trout and salmon stockings in Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
Locations stocked include East Chicago Marina, East Branch Little Calumet River, Salt Creek, Trail Creek, and the St. Joseph River. A total of 40,000 brown trout fingerlings, 77,765 Coho salmon yearlings, 194,836 Skamania steelhead yearlings, 40,943 winter run steelhead yearlings, and 224,753 Chinook salmon fingerlings were among the stocked fish.
Yearlings are older and larger fish, compared to fingerlings, which are smaller, younger fish.
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By Louie Stout
Indiana Bass Federation North Division Youth Tournaments
Competitive bass fishing isn’t just for adults.
In fact, the Indiana Bass Federation North Division has slated its tournament schedule for northern Indiana kids high school age and younger.
The season kicks off July 17 at Barbee Chain. Subsequent events are on Lake Manitou (Aug. 27), Hudson Lake (Sept. 17), Lake Shafer (Oct. 2) and Maxinkuckee (April 29, 2023).
There are two age groups: one for 8th graders and under and another for 9-12 grades. It’s a two-person team format and each team must supply a boat captain (age 19 or older). Youths are encouraged to establish their own team although individual entries can be accepted and will be assigned to someone else as a teammate.
Youth Trophies
North Division Youth Director Charles Largen said the events typically drawn about 50 kids in 25 boats. Tournaments start around 6 a.m. and run for eight hours, weather permitting.
To participate, youngsters must pay a $25 membership and $20 entry fee. Top finishers win trophies and points that qualify them for the national event.
“Several schools in the area have fishing teams which makes it nice,” said Largen. “The key is you have to sign up with a boat captain and the boat must meet minimal requirements.”
More information, rules and boat requirements may be found at www.indianabass.com/youth/ and on the facebook page, www.facebook.com/IBFYouthNorth/
You also can email Larger at c_largen_1999@yahoo.com.