• Starboard Choice Marine
  • Moore Boats


NFWFHF Report

Kim StrickerKim Stricker

Michigan anglers Bruce DeShano and Kim Stricker are two of 10 persons inducted into the 2020 class of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

DeShano owns OffShore Tackle, a trolling board and trolling-orientated company. He got his start many years ago trolling for salmon and trout and later built products that catered to the Great Lakes trolling community that also become popular among walleye anglers. DeShano is an accomplished angler as well and has won many tournaments on the Great Lakes.


By Louie Stout

The Eagle Lake situation has taken another turn that should be of concern to anglers and non-anglers alike awaiting construction of the new boat ramp.

While the proposed public access remains tangled in the DNR/DEQ courts, a developer has petitioned the state for a permit to install a marina-like operation in the southeast corner of Eagle Lake. It would be located on both sides of the existing ramp, and including a re-do of the existing ramp for private use.

Four Lakes Development, LLC hopes to obtain permits and permission to build 12 homes on the old dock property and has petitioned the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to place six, 40-foot docks, six feet wide, on the shoreline north and south of the existing ramp. The docks would be used by residents in the proposed development.


Shimano Report

Shimano Varsity ProgramShimano Varsity Program

Paying for college this academic year became a bit easier for the just-announced 12 winners of the Shimano ‘Varsity Program’ scholarship program.

Developed in conjunction with B.A.S.S. Conservation, this key initiative of Shimano’s program to assist high school and college students with their career goals includes six recent high school graduates, a current undergrad and five post-graduate students, all pursuing degrees in various conservation, fisheries and wildlife sciences and management fields.

“The scholarship program is accomplishing what is needed in fisheries management,” said Shimano youth fishing coordinator Frank Hyla. “While our 12 new winners all have great goals they are striving for, past scholarships recipients including Arkansas Tech grad Peter Leonard, working as a fisheries specialist for the Minnesota DNR, and Stephen Stang, a Virginia Tech grad, who is working at the Dauphin Island, Ala. Sea Lab on red snapper management issues, show that the scholarships are being put to good use, benefiting both fresh and saltwater anglers.

Shimano Varsity ProgramShimano Varsity Program


By Louie Stout

The Michigan DNR has announced its revised Eagle Lake access proposal and is seeking public comment.

It’s imperative that anglers respond immediately.

The access, located in Cass County and near the Juno Chain, remains embroiled in legal challenges from the lake association but is advancing slowly. This public comment period, that ends July 29, brings us one step closer to having a developed access.

Overwhelming public support could be pivotal.


By Louie Stout

If you’ve been using a Michigan public access this summer, you’ve probably noticed new signs posted at the ramp indicating that you are now required to have the state’s Recreation Passport Sticker on your license plate to use that site or be ticketed.

Here’s why: In 2018, the Michigan DNR Director issued an order that required passport stickers at most public access sites.

For several years, the state has managed pay sites at some of the larger public boat launches (like Diamond Lake in Cass County).

On weekends and holidays, there is a DNR person there to check your vehicle for the passport sticker which is applied to your license plates. Without it, you must pay the daily fee.