Weekly News Archives

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Hoosier Coho Club Classic, May 3-4

Michigan City, Ind.

Big payouts, low entry fees and free slip rentals will be featured at the 34th annual Dreamweaver/Hoosier Coho Club Classic to be held May 3-4, 2008 in Michigan City. 

First place is guaranteed $7,500 in the Pro division and $2,500 on the Amateur side while Classic entry fees remain the lowest on the lake for a tournament of its kind at $350 for Pro division and $150 for Am.  Altogether, over $50,000 is expected to be up for grabs in side pot, big fish and various other awards as well as contests-within-the-contest like the Big Jon 2nd Day/2nd Chance and Tournament Trail 333.

The Hoosier Coho Club also hosts a Pro/Am tune-up tournament on Apr. 26 (100% payback of $100 Pro and $50 Am fees). 

Boats pre-registered for both contests receive free slip rentals between the events and a discounted rate on tournament days in Washington Park Marina. Contestants will also receive a 10 cent per gallon discount on gas. The discounts from the Port Authority are just the start of a renewed spirit of cooperation from the city of Michigan City. 

The Mayor's office, Chamber of Commerce, Parks Department, LaPorte County Convention & Visitors

Bureau and especially the Summer Festival Committee, are all pushing to make the Classic a continued success in Michigan City.

A huge tent in Washington Park, where the public will be strongly encouraged to participate, will be the focal point of the tournaments. Food and beverages will be available during the Friday evening (May 2) captain's meeting as well as on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from the weigh-ins through the awards ceremony.

Also, the Classic is the first event of the Great Lakes Salmon Series (GL2S) Championship Point Series which will pay an additional $10,000 to a winner in 2008 as well as boost winnings in future Classics (see www.gl2s.com for more info.).

Classic contributors include Alco Transportation, B&E Marine, Big Jon, Blue Chip Casino, Bosch Tools, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cabalas, City of Michigan City, Dreamweaver Lures, LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mercury, MC Chamber of Commerce, MC Park Dept., MC Port Authority, MC Summer Festivals, Inc., Morgan Stanley, Shimano, Tournament Trail, Ridgeview and T.L. Snyder.

 For an entry packet or more information, call Dan Messina at 219-872-5215 or e-mail at [email protected]  or call Bob Kelsey at 219-873-5589.

Brew City Salmon Tournament August 9

Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Milwaukee Chapter

Great news! We are going to increase the boat entries from 100 boats to 125.  

$4000.00 - First Place

Top 20 Boats � Payout

$1000.00 Biggest Chinook - 2nd place $125.00, New 2008

$250.00 Biggest Lake Trout - 2nd place $125.00, New 2008

$250.00 Biggest Rainbow Trout - 2nd place $125.00, New 2008

$250.00 Biggest Brown Trout - 2nd place $125.00, New 2008

$100.00 - first two boats in with limit Raider spoons

Limited to 125 boats - New 2008

$125.00 per boat entry - New 2008

Super Raffle - Depth Raider speed and Temp. Polar Escape Shelter HT tackle

Great Boat Bags - Opti flasher, Slammer spoon, Raider spoon, Sigg�s fly, Strike zone fly and spoon, Fish Hunter fly and

much more to come!!!  T-Shirts, Lots More Prizes and Raffles

Here are some statistics for 2007: 949 fish caught, 8702 lbs of fish weighed in less than 8 hours! This is a new record! Wow! What a great tournament we had in 2007!  We again filled the tournament with the 100-boat limit; with 30 boats on reserve that did not make it in, thus the reason for adding in more boats. There were over 500 people in attendance, and many more that came down to enjoy the tournament atmosphere. With, it was a splendid day. Here is the info for 2008

The date is set for the 8th Annual Brew City Salmon Tournament; Saturday, August 9th, 2008 (rain date is the 10th).  The captain�s meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8th.  This event is held at McKinley Marina 1750 N Lincoln Memorial Dr.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

For more info: http://www.glsfclub.com

Todd Pollesch 414-899-5959 [email protected]

Kurt Pokrandt 414-460-1467 [email protected]  

UM engineers draft plans for ballast-free ships

Will help eliminate invasive species from the Great Lakes

ANN ARBOR (AP) -- University of Michigan engineers are working to overhaul ship design by eliminating the need for ballast tanks that help spread invasive species. They are developing designs for Great Lakes bulk cargo carriers at the school's Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory.

The university says at least 185 nonnative aquatic species have been identified in the Great Lakes. Project co-leader Michael Parsons says ballast-free design could bypass the need for expensive ballast water sterilization equipment now under consideration. He says a ballast-free ship would create a constant flow of local sea water through a network of large pipes.

Number of Female Hunters Increasing

According to a survey by the USFWS, more women, especially younger women, are participating in hunting.  The 2006 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Associated Recreation produced by the FWS indicated that while the total number of hunters decreased 11 percent between 1991 and 2006, the number of women taking to the sport is actually increasing.

Women make up about nine percent of the 12.5 million

hunters in the U.S., showing a slight increase, according to the survey. More interestingly, the survey showed that 304,000 girls ages 6 to 15 hunted from 2001 through 2006, which was a 50 % increase over the period of 1991 through 1996.

The FWS collected data for the National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Associated Recreation through the U.S. Census Bureau.  This survey has been produced since 1955, and it is considered one of the most comprehensive and oldest of its kind.

Track Flooding with the New USGS Flood Map

An online, user-friendly map that tracks flood conditions has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

As expected rains drive flood waters higher along the Mississippi River Valley, USGS crews are in the field collecting data needed to update the flood maps, prepare forecasts, manage the flood and warn communities.   This new system is part of the USGS WaterWatch suite of web-based streamflow products and can be accessed at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=flood%2Cmap&r=us&w=real%2Cmap.  This real-time water monitoring is part of a continuing effort by

the USGS to assist the National Weather Service (NWS) in

making accurate and timely flood forecasts. During a flood, teams of USGS hydrographers travel to streamgages to keep the instruments operating and to make crucial calibration measurements of the streamflow.

Other information available from this web site for each stream gage includes current flood levels, historical peaks and NWS flood forecast information. Monthly flood reports are also available that include maximum flows and compares the data to previous years that observations were made at each station.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for April 4, 2008

Weather Conditions

A major storm system brought heavy precipitation to the Great Lakes basin early this week.  Heavy rain was reported across the southern half of the basin, while abundant snow fall piled up across the north.  Locations near Marquette, MI recorded upwards of 2 feet of new snow.  High pressure arrived into the region following the storm leading to sunny skies.  The next storm system is forecasted to bring precipitation to the region late Sunday and into Monday.  Rain will again fall to the south, while mixed precipitation is expected to the north.

Lake Level Conditions

Lake Superior is presently 4 inches higher than it was a year ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches lower than last year's level.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are 2 to 4 inches higher than they were at this time last year.  Over the next month, Lake Superior is predicted to rise 3 inches.  The remaining lakes are in their periods of seasonal rise, and are projected to rise 1 to 6 inches in the next 30 days.  Lakes Superior and Ontario are forecasted to stay above last year's water levels through September, while the remaining lakes are forecasted to remain at or below their levels of a year ago over the next several months.  See our Daily Levels web page for more water level information.

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions

Just as in February, outflows from the St. Marys and St. Clair

Rivers were below average for March.  Outflows from the Detroit, Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers were above average last month.

Alerts

Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are below chart datum and forecasted to remain below datum through June and May, respectively.  Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels.  Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.

USCGC Mobile Bay CO relieved of command

CLEVELAND - Rear Adm. John E. Crowley, Jr., commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, has relieved Lt. Cmdr. Matthew J. Smith of command of the Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay.  Mobile Bay is a 140-ft ice breaking tug, based in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., whose missions also include law enforcement,

maintenance of navigational aids, and search-and-rescue. "After a series of discussions with Lt. Cmdr. Smith, I have decided a change in leadership is necessary to ensure Mobile Bay is able to effectively meet future mission requirements," said Crowley

Early Canada-MN sturgeon season opens April 24

With spring lake sturgeon season almost here, the Minnesota DNR reminds sturgeon anglers to purchase a lake sturgeon tag. The $5 harvest tags, which can be purchased at any DNR Electronic Licensing System agent, are used to collect information on the statewide lake sturgeon harvest, which runs April 24 to May 7. Anglers who practice catch-and-release do not need a tag.

The following requirements apply:

� Possession limit is one sturgeon per license year,

� Fish must be between 45-50 inches long, or more than 75� long,

� Lake sturgeon may not be kept or transported without a tag

� Anglers must validate and attach the tag immediately upon possessing the fish

� Tags must be attached to the narrow portion of the body in front of the tail fin

� Tags must be attached so they cannot be easily removed

� Tags are not transferable and no duplicate tags will be issued

� Registration cards must be completed and mailed within 48 hours after harvesting a fish

� Lake sturgeon must be transported intact (gills, guts may be removed)

� Members of a fishing party may not take sturgeon for other anglers� limits.

Bass Pro Shops to open 3rd Canadian store in Montreal

Montreal, Canada�Bass Pro Shops announced it is opening outdoor superstore at Lac Mirabel.  The store is scheduled to open in fall 2009.

The approximately 150,000 sq ft store will be the signature anchor for the state-of-the-art 1.4-million sq ft Lac Mirabel retail entertainment complex located along Highway 15 outside Montreal.

�Canada has long been known for its great sporting tradition and outdoor heritage and this opportunity at LacMirabel allows us to further extend our destination retail stores as well as our full line-up of Tracker boats into this tremendous outdoor market,� said Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale. �This store will be designed and themed as a tribute to the Canadian outdoors and a celebration of the sporting men and women of the region.�

The Lac Mirabel store will offer outdoor enthusiasts 3 acres of shopping excitement with the area�s largest selection of equipment and clothing for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.

An expansive boat showroom will feature Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Grizzly, and Tahoe boats built by Tracker Marine Group--the world�s largest manufacturer of fishing boats. A boat service center will also be available.

Bass Pro Shops, known for hiring associates that have a passion for the outdoors, is expected to employ approximately 300 people at Lac Mirabel, many of whom will come from the local region. Employment information is available in the career opportunities section of www.basspro.com

About Lac Mirabel

Lac Mirabel is a 14-million square foot mixed use complex, being developed by Gordon Group Holdings.  Lac Mirabel is set to become one of Canada�s most unique destinations for shopping, dining and entertainment.  Situated along the Montreal-Laurentian corridor, Lac Mirabel will be comprised of the world�s finest regional and specialty retails, restaurants, luxury hotels, and various leisure facilities including a multi-sport centre, a cinema, a European-inspired spa and many more exciting amenities.  The development is a LEED-designed centre bordered by lakes, wetlands and forests. Visit www.lacmirabel.com  for more information.

Exotic Crustacean prefers mussel invaders to humans!

Ann Arbor, MI � Wherever zebra and quagga mussels call home, the scud invader, also calls home.

All three exotic (non-native) species originate from the same Ponto-Caspian region of Europe and are known in their native areas to be close neighbors. They remain neighbors, through thick and thin, here in the Great Lakes.

Zebra and quagga mussels both form clusters and occur in habitats that the scud invader prefers over habitat in which a similar native scud, Gammarus fasciatus, occurs. In the past, researchers thought the two scuds would compete with one another but it seems that they are successfully avoiding one another.

Invaders are often thought to enter areas where disturbances, such as those caused by farming, urban development, and pollution, take place. However, researchers from the University of Windsor and Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota found that areas where scuds invade cannot be predicted by human activities. Instead, scuds invade rocky nearshore habitats that are first invaded by zebra and quagga mussels. This suggests that eradication of the exotic mussels may also eliminate the exotic scud.

"The Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbance and Environmental Suitability on the Distribution of the Nonindigenous Amphipod, Echinogammarus ischnus, at Laurentian Great Lakes Coastal Margins," is reported by the International Association for Great Lakes Research.

Indices of biological condition work in measuring aquatic health

Ann Arbor, MI � With increasing levels of human disturbance in the Great Lakes basin, it's not too surprising that our wetlands are experiencing strong effects of that disturbance. Measuring the health of a wetland is important if we are to understand the effects of various types of human disturbances and develop ways of repairing some of the negative effects.

One of the most common ways of measuring health of a waterbody is to develop an index based on measurements of the types of fishes expected to be found in undisturbed habitats, and then test those indices against various human related disturbances to see how fish communities respond to different types of stress.

Using fish data from 36 sites that represented a broad range of disturbances across the Great Lakes, researchers from the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators (GLEI) project tested how well two indices indicated different types of human disturbance. What stood out was the finding that a threshold rather than a straight line relationship best explains how fish

communities respond to human related stressors.

"Threshold values can provide guidance to managers regarding the limits of pollution in a habitat, at which major and perhaps irreversible changes can be expected in the fish community composition," says Yakuta Bhagat and colleagues from the University of Windsor, Ontario and the Annis Water Resources Institute, Michigan.

The indices tested were found to be good indicators of stress related to population pressure and agricultural activities, but were insensitive to other types of disturbances such as shoreline modification, atmospheric deposition and land cover. This implies that the indices do work, but only for certain classes of human activity. These results show the importance of carefully cross-checking new indices across a full spectrum of disturbances to establish their applicability and sensitivity.

"Testing a Fish Index of Biotic Integrity for Responses to Different Stressors in Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands," is reported by the International Association for Great Lakes Research.

Fish Picky About Wetlands

Human impacts on coastal wetlands in the Great Lakes have a lot to do with the kind of fish species that are living there.

This multiyear study collected fish and water quality data from wetlands in all five Great Lakes. The data was used to develop a test that uses the type of fish captured in a wetland to assess the health of the wetland and its habitat.

"The fish species you find in Great Lakes marshes depends on how clean the water is," says Titus Seilheimer, a former graduate student at McMaster University and currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Oklahoma State University.

"Wetlands are important habitats for Great Lakes fishes, especially as places for laying eggs and for young fish to grow to maturity. Finding a fast way to measure the condition of the wetland is important for wetland management, especially with the rapid population growth occurring in parts of the Great Lakes," explained Seilheimer.

"We hope that this test is adopted by conservation groups and

government agencies as a way to compare wetlands and track changes through time," he added.

The researchers investigated wetlands with different amounts of human impact and used the relationship between water quality and fish occurrence to modify the Wetland Fish Index for use throughout the Great Lakes. Some fish species are only found in wetlands with few human impacts, some species are found in most wetlands, and others are typically found in the most disturbed wetlands.

Because the scientists collected data from wetlands in many parts of the Great Lakes with a variety of impacts, the index should be successfully used in the Great Lakes and in other ecosystems.

"Application of the Wetland Fish Index to Northern Great Lakes Marshes with Emphasis on Georgian Bay Coastal Wetlands," are reported by the International Association for Great Lakes Research.

Stone Lab annual volunteer work weekend April 18-20, 2008

The Friends of Stone Laboratory have been holding these annual events for over 20 years.  Please wear clothes that you don't mind if they get dirty.  We typically do lots of cleaning, organizing, carrying, painting, moving, digging, etc. in the Laboratory Building, the Dining Hall, dormitories, and Research Building.  Gloves are always a good idea.  You can spend the night on Gibraltar on Friday and Saturday, or just come for the day on Saturday.  Housing and meals will be provided, but bring your own linens or bed rolls, towels, soap, tooth paste, etc.  Always a good idea to plan on it being cold and most of our facilities are not heated.  Rain gear is also a good idea. There is no rain date.  We work rain or shine as we will be preparing the Lab for the first overnight groups that begin the following week.  Typically we plan on Friday evening, work all day on Saturday, and depart right after breakfast on Sunday.

Registration:  Please register by 14 April by calling Kelly Dress

at the Stone Lab office at 614-247-6500 or 419-285-1800 and letting her know who is coming and when you plan to arrive and depart.  If for some reason you can't reach anyone at Put-in-Bay when you call, call the Columbus Office and give us the information.  If you register ahead of time, we will add your name to a list at Miller's Ferry so your ferry will be free.  However, as always, it would be helpful if people purchased their own ferry tickets and saved the Laboratory the money. 

Arrivals: We will have one of our vans meet the Miller's Ferries that depart Catawba Point at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 Friday night, and the 8:30 and 9:30 boats on Saturday morning.  If you arrive at any other time, please take a taxi to the Stone Lab Research Building and call 614-738-5311 and we will arrange pick up for you.

We really have lots to do this time, so help us spread the word.  New volunteers are welcome.

Spring Turkey season opens Aril 21

Special youth-only hunt set for Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20

COLUMBUS, OH - Spring wild turkey hunting opens in all 88 Ohio counties on Monday, April 21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The season continues through Sunday, May 18.

"Based on brood observations, hunters can expect statewide harvest numbers that are similar or slightly higher than last year," said ODNR wildlife biologist Mike Reynolds.  Hunters harvested 17,005 wild turkeys during last year's spring season.  Reynolds added that Ohio's current wild turkey population is around 185,000. He anticipates as many as 85,000 people, not counting private landowners hunting on their own property, will enjoy Ohio's increasingly popular spring wild turkey season.

A special youth-only turkey hunt for those age 17 and younger will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20. Young hunters must have their hunting licenses and spring wild turkey permits in order to participate and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older.  The young hunter's turkey season is open statewide with the exception of Lake LaSuAn State Wildlife Area in Williams County. Legal hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset each day during the two-day youth season. 

Shotguns using shot, longbows and crossbows may be used to hunt wild turkeys.  It is unlawful to hunt turkeys over bait, to use a live decoy or electronic calling device, or to shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree. A wild turkey must be properly tagged and taken to an official check station by 2 p.m. on the day it is harvested. For more info: www.wildohio.com