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Week of July 02, 2007 |
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National
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See something? Say Something!! Have we just been lucky since 9/11? Can we prevent another terrorism attack on our homeland? You and I can do something to help protect our country and our security. While we�re out there trolling the high seas, working a shoreline, those pilings or just enjoying a day on the water: if we see some strange activity�report it. |
Working with the Dept of Homeland Security, the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council will develop a program on what to look for, where to look for it and who to report it to. Don�t know who to call? Start with dialing 911.
Remember- See something? Say Something!!
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Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights that make this country so great and the most sought after by the world's poor, indigent, oppressed and by the masses desiring to better their lot in life.
Dan Thomas, President Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council |
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Senate also OKs Water Resources Development Act Includes provision for completing and make permanent the Electronic Barrier project The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 91-4, passed its $13.9 billion version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA, H.R. 1495). The Senate has requested a conference to resolve the differences between the House-passed, $15 billion version, approved by a vote of by a vote of 394-25, on April 19, 2007.
The bill includes a provision authored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) that will authorize the use of Federal funds to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the Asian Carp Barrier project. The barrier will prevent the spread of invasive species, including Asian Carp, between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Durbin said, "The Asian Carp threatens the native fish and natural wildlife of the lake and in turn, the economy of the entire Great Lakes region. Currently, this invasive species threatens a $4.1 billion sport and commercial fishing industry in the Great Lakes. The bill passed today recognizes the threat of the Asian Carp by authorizing the permanent operation of the barrier system to prevent these harmful fish from entering the waters of the Great Lakes."
The bill will authorize America�s essential flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects in a way that is fiscally responsible and technically sound. The bill authorizes nearly $2 billion for wetlands restoration and flood control projects to put Louisiana on the path to Category V storm protection, and authorizes dozens of other critical water projects nationwide. The passage of a WRDA bill is a top priority for the EPW Committee.
Senator Inhofe said, �In passing WRDA today, the Senate took |
a significant step forward in improving our nation's water resource needs. The WRDA bill passed by the Senate meets many of the most critical water resource needs facing our nation today. For example, the WRDA bill improves navigation and increases capacity and efficiency of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, provides measure to increase hurricane and storm damage protection through wetlands preservation and restoration, and creates an inventory of the nation�s levees with assessments of high risk levees in order to protect people and property. I am pleased to work with my colleagues on the Committee to get this legislation passed. As the Ranking Member, I will continue to work with my EPW colleagues to expedite this bill back to conference with the House and to the President as soon as possible.�
The legislation will authorize the Corps of Engineers to complete construction on a permanent barrier and to upgrade and make permanent the original demonstration barrier. This bill avoids potential construction delays and funding problems by allowing the federal government to fully fund the barrier project. In addition, the legislation authorizes federal funding for a feasibility study to investigate the options and technologies available to form a more comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of invasive species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and other aquatic pathways.
The Senate bill would establish meaningful, independent peer review of costly or controversial Corps projects; significant improvements to the Corps� mitigation practices; updating of the Corps� long-outdated planning guidelines; a new national policy for the Corps on floodplain protection; and an interagency assessment of the nation�s flood risks and flood protection programs. |
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Boaters Regs as they return from Foreign Ports Detroit, MI � U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working to insure that pleasure boaters are in compliance with federal regulations by reporting their arrival from a foreign, Canadian, port. These regulations require physical reporting to a designated local CBP office to report entry after having been at any foreign port or place. This requirement covers all U.S. citizens and aliens seeking entry to the U.S. by boat. CBP is working to insure that pleasure boaters know how to comply with these regulations by providing information about them, and how to comply, through outreach efforts aimed at marinas, boat clubs and boat owners.
Pleasure boat clearance procedures are part of CBP�s comprehensive efforts to improve security at our nation�s borders while enhancing and facilitating legitimate travel, including pleasure boating.
During this summer�s boating season, CBP is working to enhance pleasure boater�s ability to comply with Federal regulations that require all persons, U.S. Citizens and aliens, seeking entry into the United States to report their arrival. The Master of a vessel must report their arrival to CBP after having been at any foreign port or place or after having contact with any hovering vessel. Failure to report can result in civil penalties of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation with the conveyance (boat) subject to seizure and forfeiture. CBP�s efforts will include the identification of additional locations to comply with the face-to-face reporting requirement.
These pleasure boating procedures enhance CBP�s ability to carry out the twin goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while at the same time facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
Where to Report
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Information Required for Call:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation�s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, Agriculture Inspectors, and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States. |
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The worst anti firearms bill yet... Wayne LaPierre, National Rifle Association With the full support of Alberto Gonzales' U.S. Department of Justice, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg is pushing legislation to give the government unprecedented discretionary power to secretly decree that a citizen is banned from owning firearms. The government would need nothing more than a "suspicion" using information it would not have to divulge, ever.
Called "Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2007, the Gonzales/Lautenberg bill, S. 1237 drafted by the Justice Department - is the broadest power grab ever proposed over the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. (See NRA's response at: www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/NRA_ltr_gonzales.pdf )
The new law says "It shall be unlawful for any person...who has been the subject of a determination by the attorney general...to possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition..." Days later you receive an official notice that you no longer can own firearms-based on a suspicion. Your lawyer tells you to divest yourself of your firearms, but before you can do so, federal agents arrive at your home with a search warrant and a form demanding that you surrender all firearms and ammunition. They say you are now on the attorney general's "suspect" list, and as a prohibited person, it is a federal felony for you to possess any gun. They take your gun collection-all of it-in lieu of arrest. |
At the sole discretion of the attorney general, they can withhold anything and everything they allegedly have on you-all in the name of �national security." You have lost your Second Amendment rights-gun ownership is a criminal act-based on a mere "suspicion", and you can't even find out what it is. This outrageous scenario has not happened yet, but it could if the Gonzales/Lautenberg Brave New World-like legislation-S. 1237-ever becomes law. In creating a new criminal class of prohibited persons based on "suspicion", the same language applies to license denials, to state firearm permit denials and to sale of firearms by individuals.
The Bush administration is on record affirming the Second Amendment as an individual right, yet this bill trashes the Constitution, mocking the protections guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. It would arbitrarily take away your rights-without charges-without an arrest, without a trial, and without a conviction-just because the attorney general says so. It denies citizens all due process of law at the sole discretion of government - something that must never happen in America.
Shockingly, Lautenberg is telling the world that he has the full support of the Bush administration and expects this measure to be signed into law. E-mail, write, and telephone your U.S. Senators and Congressmen asking them to oppose S. 1237, and tell Attorney General Gonzales to wake up and withdraw his support.
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Coast Guard Administrative Courts Stacked Internal memos showed judge told others how to rule BALTIMORE June 25, 2007 (AP)--Decisions by judges in the Coast Guard's administrative court system almost always favor the agency over civilian mariners, according to a newspaper's review of court records and other documents. One former judge testified that judges were pressured to side with the Coast Guard, The Sun of Baltimore reported Sunday.
The agency's administrative court system handles charges against tugboat captains, engineers, charter fishermen and others who need licenses or other documents from the Coast Guard to work. The harshest penalty in the system is revocation of those credentials.
Mariners have won just 14 cases out of more than 6,300 charges filed by Coast Guard investigators since 1999, when the agency restructured its judicial system to broaden defendant's rights, the paper said it found through a computer analysis of court records.
In a sworn statement, Judge Jeffie J. Massey has testified that Chief Judge Joseph N. Ingolia told her to always rule in the Coast Guard's favor, and she said she came under intense pressure when she did not, the newspaper said. "I was specifically told (by Ingolia) that I should always rule for the Coast Guard," Massey said. "He said, 'The Coast Guard are |
out there keeping our seas safe and we have to do everything we can to support them. They know when to bring these cases and we're just supposed to help them.'"
Ingolia and others in the Baltimore-based Coast Guard administrative law office declined to comment on the advice of the U.S. attorney's office in Louisiana, which is representing them in lawsuits saying that judicial instructions are illegal rule making and obstruction of justice. The Sun said two internal memos it obtained showed that Ingolia issued private instructions telling other judges how to rule.
Massey, an experienced judge who has held similar positions in other agencies, retired this year.
Ingolia was defended by another former Coast Guard judge, James Lawson, who said the chief judge never coerced him. "I always found everyone in Baltimore to be courteous and professional," Lawson said. "They were there to help, not to tell me what to do." www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,140198,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/06/24/paper _coast_guard_admin_courts_stacked/ www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/06/24/799745-paper-coast-guard-admin-courts-stacked |
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Wildlife recreation spending matches all other fun ROANOKE, VA(ENS) - Americans spent $120 billion on hunting, fishing and watching wildlife in 2006 - an amount roughly equal to Americans' total spending at all spectator sports, casinos, motion pictures, golf courses and country clubs, amusement parks and arcades combined.
The figures come from survey data collected once every five years and released last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But simply talking about dollars and cents doesn't fully capture the importance of wildlife to our nation," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. "Wildlife related recreation rejuvenates our spirit and gets us outside pursuing healthy activities."
The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation has been conducted every five years since 1955 and is one of the nation's most important wildlife recreation databases. "This expenditure of $120 billion highlights the benefits of these activities on national and state economies," said survey economist Jerry Leonard. "It is roughly equivalent to one out of every $100 of goods and services produced in our economy. And much of this activity occurs in places which rely significantly on wildlife-related recreation expenditures for their economic well being," Leonard said.
In 2006, more than 87 million Americans, or 38 % of the United States' population age 16 and older hunted, fished or |
observed wildlife. The 71 million wildlife watchers spent the largest percentage of the total - $44.7 billion.
Since 1996 there has been an increase in the spending of people who watch wildlife and take photographs, the survey found. Wildlife watchers spending increased 19 %, from $37.5 billion in 1996 to $44.7 billion last year. The next biggest spenders in 2006 were the 30 million people who fished. They spent a total of $40.6 billion.
The 12.5 million hunters spent $23 billion.
Participation in both angling and hunting declined from 1996 to 2006. In 1996, 35.2 million anglers fished compared to 30.0 million in 2006, representing a 15 % decline in participation and spending over the 10 year span. "Participation levels in 2006 were likely reduced due to several factors - higher gas prices, hurricanes, the increasing age of baby boomers, and continuing urbanization," said Leonard.
For hunting, there was a 10 % decline in participation from 1996 to 2006, accompanied by a 14 % decline in spending. While overall spending was down, expenditures on hunting equipment such as rifles and ammunition were up 3 % since 2001.
The survey is available online at: http://library.fws.gov/nat_survey2006.pdf |
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Egg Producers deceive consumers with bogus Omega-3 claims The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) wants you to know you may not get what you're paying for when you buy eggs boasting omega-3's for heart health.
They believe egg producers are using the omega-3 buzz word to extract higher prices from health conscious consumers, even though their eggs don't stand up to the FDA criteria for heart healthy foods, due to their high cholesterol and saturated fat content. Other egg producers simply mislead you with their fraudulent labeling tactics, such as basing their claims on two eggs, instead of the official serving size of one egg.
Or, by using the over-blown claim that their eggs have 25 % less saturated fat than regular eggs, which amounts to less than half a gram--a pretty paltry difference. |
The seven egg producers included in the CSPI's complaint include: Land O Lakes' Omega-3 All-Natural eggs Eggland's Best Safeway Specialty 3 eggs Gold Circle Farms The Country Hen Full Spectrum Farms
Eggs really are one of nature's most perfect foods--when they're organic. Organic eggs come from chickens that have been fed only organic feed, without pesticides or GMO's in the grains. Just be careful, as eating eggs every day increases your chances for developing an allergy.
"The best source for omega-3s are animal based omega-3 fats like those in fish oil and krill oil, which are high in EPA and DHA, not eggs which are high in ALA" say CSPI officials. |
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Bald Eagle Population now exceeds 11,000 Pairs The Center for Biological Diversity released a report on June 26, 2007 showing the bald eagle population in the lower 48 |
states and the District of Columbia is 11,040 pairs in 2007. This is a nearly 1,300-pair increase from the 2006 estimate of 9,789 pairs. Just 417 pairs remained in 1963. |
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Bald Eagle Soars off Endangered Species List USFWS accepting comments on permitting the limited take of Bald Eagles
WASHINGTON, DC � The Dept
of Interior, on June 28
�Today I am proud to announce: the eagle has returned,� said Interior Secretary Kempthorne. �In 1963, the lower 48 states were home to barely 400 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, after decades of conservation effort, they are home to some 10,000 nesting pairs, a 25-fold increase in the last 40 years. Based on its dramatic recovery, it is my honor to announce the Department of the Interior�s decision to remove the American Bald Eagle from the Endangered Species List.�
Kempthorne emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Interior Department and the entire federal government to the eagle�s continued success, noting that bald eagles will continue to be protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both federal laws prohibit �taking� � killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service clarified its regulations implementing the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and published a set of National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines. These measures are designed to give landowners and others clear guidance on how to ensure that actions they take on their property are consistent with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird |
Treaty Act. In addition, the Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to establish a permit program under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act that would allow a limited take of bald and golden eagles. Any take authorized would be consistent with the purpose and goal of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; ensuring eagle populations remain healthy and sustainable.
The removal of the bald eagle from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Upon delisting, the Service will continue to work with state wildlife agencies to monitor eagles for at least five years, as required by the Endangered Species Act. If at any time it appears that the bald eagle again needs the Act�s protection, the Service can propose to relist the species. The Service has developed a draft monitoring plan that is available for public review and comment.
From an all-time low of 417 breeding pairs in 1963, the population in the lower 48 states has grown to a high of 9,789 pairs today. Fortunately, the bald eagle has never needed the protection of the ESA in Alaska, where the population is estimated at between 50,000 and 70,000 birds.
Concurrently with today�s announcement, the Service is making the draft post-delisting monitoring plan available and is soliciting public comment for 90 days. Comments on the monitoring plan must be received 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. Comments may be sent by mail to Bald Eagle Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan Comments, USFWS, Rock Island Field Office, 1511 47th Ave, Moline, IL 61265. Comments may also be transmitted electronically to [email protected] , or by following the instructions at the Federal Rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.
More info: www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm Photo by Rob James |
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IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame announces 5 to be honored Annual event honors contributions to the sport of fishing DANIA BEACH, Fla. --- The quintessential lady fly angler, the dean of outdoor writers, a man who revolutionized rod making and two extraordinary bill fishermen will be inducted into the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame, this fall. The class of 2007 includes Homer Circle, Dr. Ruben |
Jaen, Gary Loomis, Capt. Peter B. Wright, and Joan Salvato Wulff,
The honorees were selected for the important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, communication, invention or administration of fishery resources. |
Regional
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Soo Locks sampled for Ruffe and other Aquatic Invasive Species USFWS biologist Gary Czypinski and Notre Dame U. volunteer, Jody Murray, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed surveillance trawling for Ruffe and other AIS in the two most active of the four U.S. Locks. |
Although many fish were observed on the trawler fish finder within the Lock water columns, no fish were captured in the bottom trawl which primarily samples bottom dwelling forage fish such as the Ruffe. No further surveillance trawling is planned within the Soo Locks until Ruffe are confirmed in closer proximity to the Locks. |
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Lake Erie Charter Captains offer "Kids Fish Free" week Aug 13-17 Deadline is August 7 to book a charter during this special week COLUMBUS, OH - Kids can fish free on selected Lake Erie fishing charters in the Port Clinton area from Monday, Aug. 13, through Friday, Aug 17, as part of a program sponsored by the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association (LECBA).
During �Kids Fish Free� week, adults booking a charter through the association hotline (1-800-287-1020) can bring one youth, age 17 or under, at no charge for each paying adult. For example, on a standard six-person fishing charter, a party consisting of three adults and three youths would pay half the normal charter fee. Charter reservations must be made by August 7 to participate in this special promotion.
�The LECBA is a great supporter of youth and family fishing,� said David M. Graham, chief of the Ohio DNR. �We are appreciative of this annual promotion to encourage families to get out on Lake Erie and enjoy one of the nation�s top |
fisheries.� The �Kids Fish Free� charter trips will depart from the Port Clinton area. Anglers may pursue walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch or a combination of those species.
The LECBA started the �Kids Fish Free� program in 2002 to honor one of its founding members, the late Jim Fofrich, Sr. As an active proponent of Lake Erie fishing, Fofrich promoted lowering charter rates to encourage families to bring their kids along on fishing trips. More than 400 member charter captains will participate in the program, and all will provide the fishing tackle and equipment for the kids on their boats.
Each youth who fishes during the event will also receive a certificate of participation. The Division of Wildlife, as co-sponsor, will distribute fishing brochures and other information on outdoor recreation in Ohio.
For Further Information Contact: Mike Matta, LECBA (800) 287-1020 |
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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for June 29, 2007 Weather Conditions The Great Lakes region was immersed in hot, dry, and sunny weather earlier this week. Temperatures soared into the high 80�s and low 90�s in Detroit and many other areas. Scattered thunderstorms, bringing much-needed rain, cooled the region on Wednesday. Milder temperatures arrived on Thursday, and are expected to continue through the weekend with little chance of rain, although there is a possibility of showers in the upper part of the basin on Monday.
Lake Level Conditions Currently, Lake Superior is 13 inches below its level of a year ago, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie are 2 to 3 inches lower than they were at this time last year. Lake Ontario is 2 inches higher than it was last year. Lake Superior is predicted to rise 2 inches over the next 30 days. Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to decline an inch, while Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are projected to drop 3 to 4 inches over the next month. During the next few months, Lake Superior is forecasted to remain well below its water level of a year ago, while the lower lakes are expected to be similar or below last year�s levels.
Current Outflows/Channel Conditions Outflow from the St. Marys River is predicted to be well below average for June. Flows through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are also predicted to be lower than average this month. |
Flow in the Niagara River is expected to be above average, while flow in the St. Lawrence River is forecasted to be below average.
Alerts Due to abnormally dry conditions on the Lake Superior basin over the last several months, | Lake Superior�s water level is currently below chart datum and is expected to remain below datum over the next six months. 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.
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Beyond the Great Lakes
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New Atlantic Salmon Conservation Agreement The Atlantic Salmon Federation reports a new Greenland Conservation Agreement will suspend commercial salmon fisheries in Greenland's territorial waters for seven years, beginning with the 2007 season. The fishermen of Greenland have agreed to continue a moratorium which began in 2002 |
under an earlier agreement. The moratorium has already saved thousands of wild Atlantic salmon that originate in rivers of North America and Southern Europe, migrate to feeding grounds off West Greenland and then return to their home rivers to spawn. |
Illinois
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2006 boating fatalities and accidents Last year, 17 people died and 66 other people were injured in boating-related accidents on Illinois waters. There were a total of 78 boating accidents involving 118 watercraft last year. While the number of boating-related accidents has decreased since 2005, people are dying preventable deaths each year.
Accident reports indicate that of the 17 people who died in Illinois boating accidents in 2006, 11 may have survived had they been wearing a life jacket. In those fatal accidents, all 17 people who died were on boats in which the boat operators either had not taken or it was not known whether they had taken a formal boat safety education course. Nationwide, nearly 90 percent of all reported fatalities on boats involved boat operators who had not received boating safety instruction. |
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers free boating safety education courses statewide. The courses are taught by certified, volunteer safety instructors, and the techniques that are taught are potentially life saving. Youngsters between 12-18 years of age who wish to operate a motorized watercraft by themselves are required by law to possess a boating safety certificate.
With so many people out on the water, the summer can be a dangerous time if safety is not a priority. I encourage individuals who plan on drinking to do so responsibly, people should always wear a life jacket and boaters and anglers alike are reminded to be attentive while on the water. These simple steps can help reduce the risk of accident or serious injury and help everyone to have a great summer. |
Michigan
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DNR Announces Implementation Strategy for Fish Disease Control Order A series of regulations designed to help slow the spread of fish diseases in Michigan, in particular Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), will begin to be implemented on Thursday, June 28, according to Department of Natural Resources fisheries officials. The regulations provide a set of best management practices for anglers, boaters and the bait industry, and will be phased in over time.
�The DNR recognizes that these regulations are complex and will take time for our anglers, boaters and the supporting bait industry to fully understand them,� said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. �To fully involve our angling community, we intend to implement this order in a set of steps over the next few months.�
The DNR will focus on educating the angling and boating communities and bait industry over the next two to three months - focusing on prevention and education efforts, not enforcement. The following steps that directly affect anglers and boaters will be initiated on June 28:
► Anglers and boaters should empty live wells and bilge water upon removing a boat from the water.
► Anglers are asked to start using bait only on a hook and to dispose of all bait when leaving a body of water. Anglers should keep in mind that the regulations only apply to the fish species listed in the Fish Disease Control Order, which is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing .
► Anglers should be sure to release fish that are from catch and release angling either in that water or in connected waters where fish could directly swim.
► Anglers are asked to start learning the Fish Disease Management Areas and where baitfish can be used. If the bait shop receipt indicates the management area where the bait is from, anglers are asked to start using the bait in the appropriate area.
The following steps will be initiated on June 28 with the wholesale and retail bait industry to start informing anglers where they can use bait and to start getting certified bait:
► Wholesale bait dealers are asked to start informing purchasers of whether their bait is certified disease-free or if it is not yet certified, and what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so the retail bait shops can start informing anglers.
► For bait species on the Prohibited Species List, retail bait shops are asked to start informing anglers whether the bait is certified or uncertified. If the bait is known to be uncertified |
and the Fish Disease Management Area where it was collected is known, bait shops are asked to inform anglers on where it can be used. Initially, it just needs to be noted on the receipt or attached to the receipt from the store. The full receipt will not be required initially.
► Licensed bait businesses that wish to certify their bait can start the certification process according to the instructions that will be posted on the DNR Web site www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing and sent in the U.S. Mail to all licensed bait businesses on June 25.
► Licensed bait businesses that have previously certified bait in stock can move ahead to have those supplies certified by sending the appropriate fish disease inspection information along with a request for certification to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 30446, Lansing, MI 48909, Attention: Bait Certification.
�The DNR is not requesting that wholesalers or retail bait shops to dispose of the bait they currently have in their inventories. If they know where it came from, we ask them to simply start informing anglers of what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so anglers can start making informed decisions,� said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith.
During the weeks of July 16 and 23, the DNR will be reviewing all applications for certifying facilities to hold baitfish listed in the order. After receiving needed information from wholesale and retail bait shops that wish to have baitfish certified in their facilities, the DNR will conduct necessary facility inspections or conduct telephone interviews to complete the certification review process. Once the application reviews are complete, the DNR will send out facility certification letters and will provide recommended fish disease certification strategies for each facility. As fish disease inspections results are submitted, the DNR will be issuing baitfish certifications for those lots that are tested and shown to be disease-free.
By Aug. 17, licensed wholesale bait businesses and retail bait shops are requested to start providing customers complete receipts that show all the needed information to inform anglers on where they can use their bait and to allow for the tracking of any fish disease problems in their bait supply. By this time, it is expected that certified disease-free bait should start being widely available for retail bait shops.
The DNR expects to fully implement the Fish Disease Control Order by Sept. 15 and will be placing information on the DNR Fisheries Division Web site www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing to assist the public in understanding these regulations.
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Coast Guard suspends search for 2 anglers in POINT MOUILLE, MI -- The Coast Guard suspended the search for two male fishermen believed missing Friday evening June 22. The Coast Guard searched for 57-year-old male Rick Donley of Dearborn Heights, MI and another fisherman Lewis Styes of Belleville, MI. after they did not return Wednesday. |
The Coast Guard coordinated with multiple agencies to attempt to locate the two males after a report they had gone missing. The fisherman's 17-foot boat was found near the mouth of the Detroit River almost completely submerged. The CG searched with two helicopters, small boats and Coast Guard Auxiliary. The other agencies were the Canadian Cape Hurd and Thunder Cape, Monroe County authorities and a local dive team. |
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Coast Guard rescues man with medical condition ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Coast Guard Air Facility Muskegon and Station St. Joseph medically evacuated a 28-year-old man experiencing a serious medical condition one mile offshore St. Joseph, MI on Thursday, June 28.. Two crewmembers from Station St. Joseph boarded a 33' |
Chris Craft and delivered oxygen to the man with an Emergency Medical Technician kit. They then assisted the man into the hoist basket of Muskegon's HH-65C rescue helicopter for transport to an airport with awaiting Emergency Medical Services. The man was in stable condition upon hoist-up. |
Minnesota
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Courtesy MN DNR and Curt Johnson ANNANDALE - The bass bite has been really good along the weedlines, starting in about 10 feet of water up to the shallows. The northerns are biting in 10 to 15 feet of water bobber fishing with sucker minnows. The sunnies are all along the weeds, use small leeches or waxworms. Walleyes are biting on leeches and fatheads in about 15 feet of water on the east end humps. The crappies are biting right at sunset up in about 5 feet of water in the weeds.
ANOKA - The weekend saw good smallmouth fishing on the Mississippi river. The stretch from Monticello to Otsego was especially good for topwater plugs and spinnerbaits. The walleye action around Anoka has slowed down, but the Rum River was good in the evening for walleyes using redtails in the deeper holes. Lake George and Crooked Lake have some monster bass willing to be caught and released. Nice panfish coming out of the lakes nearby.
BATTLE LAKE - The fishing has been really good. The walleyes are biting on Ottertail and just about everything works. They have been fishing in 7 to 22 feet of water, deeper during the day and moving shallow at night. During windy days, they have been having more luck up on the flats. On Battle Lake and Clitheral the walleyes have been in mostly that 15 to 20 foot range biting on leeches or golden shiners. The bass are hitting good on West Battle, lots of 5 plus pounders are being caught. The crappies are suspended in about 10 to 15 feet of water and hitting on small leeches. Try Battle, Molly Stark, Clitheral and Walker. For northerns, trolling with suckers along the weedlines has been working. The muskies are starting to come up; lots of follows are being reported now. Haven't heard of anything big being caught yet.
BEMIDJI - The walleyes are still snapping. The bite has been consistently good through out the whole area. The fish have moved deeper on Bemidji and are biting on redtails and Lindys, and crawlers on rigs are working well now too. The northern action is starting to pick up. The bluegills are finishing up on their beds. The muskies are still sluggish; they are starting to see a few more now as the temps come up.
BLACKDUCK - The Blackduck walleye bite is still going on. The mid lake humps with a Lindy rig and a crawler seems to be the ticket. The panfish bite has also been good on area lakes.
CHISAGO CITY - Fishing for sunnies and crappies has been good in this warm weather. The walleeys are biting in the early morning out in about 18 to 10 feet of water off the hard bottom. The bass bite on Chisago has been phenomenal. Just be reminded that it is catch and release. The crappies are in 12 to 14 feet of water. A lot of the curly leaf weeds have died off.
CROSBY - Walleyes are being caught on a regular basis on West Rabbit, Serpent and the Mississippi River in the evening hours. Look for the best bass action on lakes such as Serpent, Rabbit, Horseshoe, and Edward on plastics. Most lakes in the area have been good for pike action, with Serpent, Horseshoe, Nokay, Lower Mission and Rabbit being best. For panfish, give Manhomen, Blackhoof, East Rabbit and Clearwater a try. Trout are still being caught on a regular basis around 15-25 feet down in the pits. Musky action has started to heat up a bit on Cedar, and should get better in the weeks to come.
CROSSLAKE - Walleye action on Whitefish Chain is good. Early morning and late evening bite is strong. Redtail Minnows or Leeches on Lindy rigs. Try working the steep drops from 18 down to 24 or 26 feet. Northern action has been hot with fish hitting spinner baits and pike minnows on spinner rigs or bobber fished worked along weed lines. Bass are active in 4 to 8 feet of water plastic worms or spinner baits should provide plenty of action. Try along docks and other shaded areas. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with worms, waxies, and minnows. Look for suspended fish in 12 to 18 feet of water.
DULUTH - On Lake Superior the fishing has been excellent. Lots of coho and lake trout are being caught and the fishing has been fairly easy. They are fishing out in about 80 feet of water about 40 feet down in front of Duluth up to the Knife River. The walleyes are biting on the south shore in about 30 feet of water about 12 to 14 feet down trolling purple stick baits and green is starting to be the color of choice as the water temps finally start to warm up. There are some big walleyes being caught, one was 32 inches last week, with a lot of 25 to 30 inch fish being caught. This is the best fishing we have seen in 10 years as we have good lines to fish. We are starting to see spoons working better for lake trout and salmon.
ELY- If you haven't been to the Ely area lately, you're missing the boat in more ways than one. The area lakes are turning out limit after limit of nice eatin' size walleyes. Take your pick of just about any lake and the fish seem to cooperate. This is the prime season to fill a stringer. Shagawa Lake, Burntside, Fall, and the Eagles Nest group are the front runners, but don't focus just on these, your possibilities are seemingly endless. Day trips into the Boundary Waters have been paying big dividends as well. Smallmouth bass are busting surface lures in the early a.m., and mid depth diving plugs throughout the day. Northern pike anglers are having a blast with these tackle bustin' brutes. From spoons to spinnerbaits, to live suckers, they seem to engulf just about anything thrown in their vicinity.
FOREST LAKE -The muskie bite has been hot and heavy as the water temps keep warming up. The crappies are out in the deeper water and the sunnies remain shallow. The walleyes are on Clear, Forest and north/South Center Lakes and are coming up shallow at night, 15 to 20 feet deep during the day. The northerns seem like they are turning on, casting or bobber fishing.
HACKENSACK - If the fishing follows the pattern that it has been all year, the cool weather will not affect the fishing too much. Walleye reports are still good on Leech Lake. The main lake is producing numbers of large fish, expect a bunch of the fish you catch to be 20"+. I talked to a bunch of guys that were consistently catching fish over 25" on nightcrawlers, silver spinners were the color. Walker Bay is where the "keeper" fish are being caught. The fish that are caught in the bay are mostly 13-16 inch fish. Jig and a minnow on the humps or a nightcrawler fishing the points and flats. Ten Mile is giving up a few Walleyes on green and yellow spinner rigs with leeches in 22-26 feet of water.
Trolling in the evening has also been productive, try a Rapala Floater in 12-20 feet of water. The bigger sunfish have been picking up a little bit; hopefully the cool-down won't hinder them. The smaller lakes have been better for the bigger fish because they warm up quicker. Waxworms and small ice fishing style jigs have been catching the most Sunnies. Crappies are a quiet, they have moved into 10-14 feet of water, most anglers are trying for the easier to catch sunfish right now. Those that are still trying have done pretty well with a beetle spin and crappie minnow, remember to troll extremely slowly with an electric motor. If it is windy, head into the wind and set the motor just fast enough to make the boat move forwards. Look for weeds that have grown a few feet tall, pull the bait just over the tops of the weeds.
As always, evening hours are the best. Northern pike and bass fishing has been excellent. Webb Lake anglers have seen lots of pike action, regardless of what they are fishing for. Ten Mile has also been pretty thick with them as well, can't keep them if they are over 20" but they provide some exciting action. Smallmouth bass have been biting better than the largemouth, fish a flu-flu or other small jig that falls slowly to entice the smallies. Cruise along rocky shorelines with gravel or rocky bottom and look for the fish. Some are having luck casting under docks also. There are a few largemouth being caught in the weeds in shallow water with plastic worms or spinnerbaits. Others are being caught in 12-16 feet of water on hard baits.
KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN - Fishing and catching were both good, about mid-week until Monday, optimistically, fishing should remain strong into this week. Reports of mayflies emerging from the lake bottom tell me the hatch isn't far off. Walleyes have been after the emerging mayflies in the soft bottom structures recently, providing anglers with success when fishing the sand and muck bottom areas of the lake. Anglers report good success in shallow both mornings and evenings and at a give or take 30' level mid-day. Bait choices vary however leeches presently lead the pack. Night crawlers are coming on strong and minnows remain the ticket for saugers and perch. Northern pike are scrambling throughout the lake, several 40" plus northerns again reported, however the norm is 2-4 pounds. Best bet for pike has been the well known weedy bays, where weeds are just emerging. Troll or flip baits over the week tops. Crappies seem to have moved out to suspend in their summer hangouts wherever that is. Saugers, nice 15" plus saugers continue to bite strong surprising anglers. Concentrate your effort for these bonus fish a little deeper and us minnows. Remember sauger is not in the restrictive size range like the cousin walleye is. The walleye size restrictions are, once again: you must immediately release all walleyes between 17"-28" to the water.
LAKE OF THE WOODS - Great fishing at Lake of the Woods continues! Anglers have been limiting out around the Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay and Pine Island areas. The fish are moving out to deeper water; 27-31 feet seem to be producing some nice numbers, along |
with a few trophies. Anchored and jigging with a frozen shiner, minnow, leech, or crawler has been working nicely with a 3/8 ounce jig. Some anglers have tried drifting with spinners, and a few have already started down rigging, all seem to be producing nice fish.
Fishing at The Northwest Angle and Islands has been good around Oak Island. Gold and chartreuse jigs have been working the best while anchored and jigging in 21-22 feet of water. The lake has risen about a foot around the islands due to recent rain fall. The Rainy River has started to produce nice numbers of walleye and sauger, along with a few smallies. Some massive sturgeon have been caught and released in the last couple weeks on the Rainy River. Sturgeon season opens July 1st, and a special sturgeon tag must be purchased. You are allowed to keep one sturgeon per license year, and it must measure 45-50 inches or over 75 inches. Don't miss the experience of catching one of these prehistoric fish.
LEECH LAKE - Leech Lake has been hot. Try Little Hardwoods with a jig and minnow (yes, minnow) has been one of the most intense bites on the Lake. Bigrock Reef has really turned on also. There a leech and Lindy rig is the ticket, 6 to 7 ft snells, red hooks. Little spinners if you have enough wind to work them. Lots of big fish being caught, 27.5 incher caught by an 8 year old boy (first walleye ever) he is hooked on walleye fishing now! Water temp is on the way up with all this nice warm weather. Pike are more aggressive. I have heard of a few big muskies also. Sub Island and Red Rocks! Panfish in Steamboat Bay has been great. Play the wind and fish the twilight for the best fishing but they seem to bite on and off all day. We have been pleasantly surprised on the number and the weight of the fish this year, they are not missing any meals up here. Come enjoy Leech this summer or plan for next year.
METRO AREA EAST - The bass and northerns are biting good on Big Marine, Big Carnelian and Bald Eagle. The sunnies are biting on Little Lake by Lindstrom, Peltier and White Bear Lakes. The crappies are biting on the St. Croix, Bald Eagle, and Jane in the evening. The walleyes and sauger are on the rivers, both the St. Croix and the Mississippi. A few muskies have been caught around the area, nothing big yet.
MILLE LACS Lake - The walleyes continue to bite like crazy on the rocks, mud and the gravel. Up on the rocks, simply use a slip bobber and leech and on the mud troll with crawlers and a spinner rig or a Lindy rig. Call now and book a trip and get in while this great walleye bite is still going on. And looking ahead, book now for a muskie trip later in the summer.
LAKE MINNETONKA - The fish continue to be in the weeds. For northerns, try a spinner tipped with suckers in about 15 feet of water and shallower. The sunnies are biting everywhere. The crappies are in the channels at day break feeding before they move out deeper as the day goes on. For walleyes, work the weeds in about 15 feet of water with a jig and a leech. The water temp has come up big time through out the last week.
NISSWA - It was a pretty busy weekend in the Nisswa area. The weather was great on Saturday. I think it is safe to say that summer has arrived. The warmer weather has the lake temperatures up into the 70s, which makes it a little tough on the live bait, but it has also increased the activity of the fish. The bass, pike, and panfish are all feeding up now. The key now is to look for the fish to be hanging near the weed flats or edges of the cabbage weeds. The bass are hitting leeches for live bait, or Gulp plastic worms. The pike are slamming spinnerbaits tipped with a medium sucker minnow. Trolling in 8-15 feet of water has produced the best results. For crappies and sunnies check out 8-10 feet of water. The crappies have been most active in the evening hours while the sunfish are biting all day long. Walleyes have been sporadic. The best lakes this week have been Gull, Pelican, and the Whitefish Chain.
On Gull we have noticed a shift of the bigger fish into the weeds. It always seems to happen about this time of the year. You can still catch a few fish out on the weedlines but those fish have been running on the small side. The best tactic has been fishing through the weeds with a bottom bouncer and a redtail chub. Another good tactic is anchoring with a slip bobber and a redtail or a leech. On Pelican and Whitefish we are catching them on a live bait rig and redtails. Most of these fish have been hanging along the weedlines. Mille Lacs Lake continues to be the hot bite of the state. You can fish any way that you want, anywhere that you want on Mille Lacs and catch fish right now.
PARK RAPIDS - The walleyes are biting on Long Lake in 14 to 19 feet of water with leeches. For northerns try Fishhook Lake in 12 to 14 on a jig and a minnow. The crappies are on Big Man Trap in 16 to 18 feet of water suspended on the deep weed edge. The sunnies are biting on the Crow Wing Chain in about 9 to 12 feet of water with waxies. For bass, try spinners in the pencil reeds just about everywhere.
PELICAN RAPIDS - The fishing has held up on Lida for walleyes. Lizzie has been good for walleyes to on crawlers and leeched in about 18 to 20 feet of water. The sunfish and crappies have pretty much moved out of all the shallow bays due to the rising water temps. Look for them out in the cabbage. A few muskies have been caught and released out on Pelican, but no real big ones reported yet, but the action is starting to pick up.
RAINY LAKE - A graph will help locate walleye which are not behaving in any consistent pattern. Some have been found in 25-30 feet of water on submerged reefs and some in shallow bays. Minnows and leeches are working on jigs and spinners with some popular spots being near Blueberry Island and Kettle Falls and around the east end of Sand Bay. Lake levels are getting pretty near normal with the recent rainfalls, and fishing patterns may change quickly. Anglers are expecting the bite to get better for smallmouth bass and Crappie very soon. Northern Pike are hitting from the weedy edges of Black Bay and Cranberry Bay. Water Clarity in Rainy River drops off with the in-flow from the Littlefork and Big Fork Rivers. Try in the deeper channels upstream from those tributaries.
RED WING - Guys have still been out pulling plugs despite the warmer temps and still getting a few walleyes and sauger. The flats have been good. On Rush River they have been getting a few big northerns on Red Eye spoons and large sucker minnows. Bay Point Park has still been good for sunnies and the crappies are up in the back waters and people have been getting a few.
SAINT CLOUD * Anglers are happy about the sunfish bite. They have been catching fish on Pearl, Big Birch, Clearwater and Big Swan Lakes. The fish have been in depths ranging from 2 feet to 8 feet. Anglers are using waxworms, beaver tale worms and panfish leeches for bait. Walleyes continue to bite on Mille Lacs, Big Birch and a few on Grand Lake. Most anglers are fishing with leeches and night crawlers. Bass and northerns are both biting well on Clearwater and Pearl Lakes. Mississippi anglers are catching smallies, walleyes, crappies and catfish. Catfish are also biting on the Horse Shoe chain.
SAINT PETER - The panfish bite has been good. A few walleyes are being caught tout ion the 2nd and 3rd points on Washington and a few sunnies. The northerns are biting on Lake Elysian and he bass are going on German Lake.
SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Lake Tetonka is the "Talk of the town" this week, with northerns and muskies again being caught. A 49" muskie and a 45" northern were just two of many, many caught this past weekend using suckers and chubs. Between the lakes (the canal), crappies and big bass were being hoisted in by shore fishermen. Lake Francis is doing well with plenty of panfish. Lake Elysian is doing well again with walleyes being jigged or trolled with leech/crawler rigs.
STARBUCK - The walleyes are still hitting good on leeches and spinner in about 14 to 18 feet of water on the flats on the Glenwood end and the points. The surface water temps are now up into the 70's. The bass are biting all over the lake, lots of them. The sunnies are all over too, they are up in the bull rushes on the north side of the lake. Some walleye reports are still coming in from Mary and Emily Lakes. And a lot of small northerns are biting on Minnewaska, nothing big.
WACONIA - A couple of muskies, 42 and 44 inches, have been caught and released out here last week. And there have been a lot of follows reported. The sunnies are in 8 feet of water and less, or out in the 20 foot range. The northerns are biting real well; we had a 9 pounder in last week. The crappies are of the reefs and deeper. The bass are in about 4 feet of water and shallower up into the weeds.
WINNIBIGOSHISH - Summer is moving along nicely and the walleye bite on Big Winnie has been pretty consistent all season, so far. Even with all the storms of late and the rising water levels, the walleyes seem to be biting all over the lake. The humps and bars have been out producing the shoreline fisherman of late and most are using a slip sinker rig and a leech or crawler. There was a bug hatch this past week and that has been the determining factor, as always, when the walleyes will move deep and prefer something else other than a jig and minnow. The outside edge of Raven's Point, the Humps in the mid-lake and Bena, Long, Sugar and Moses are all giving up nice catches of Walleyes. Use your electronics and keep moving until active fish are contacted. The northern pike fishing has been good and the weed beds around Sugar and the Third River Bay have been turning out nice pike. |
New York
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CG rescues 3 after boat capsizes ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The USCG rescued three people in the water after their small boat capsized on Friday afternoon, June 22. Coast Guard Station Rochester received notification of people in distress after one person on-board the vessel "Spirit Wind" made mayday calls. |
A Station Rochester crew launched their 47' utility boat to assist the boaters. A Good Samaritan noticed the people in distress and was enroute to assist as well. The Good Samaritan took the boat in tow and followed the Coast Guard into the harbor. All three people on-board the "Spirit Wind" were wearing life jackets. |
Ohio
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Coast Guard rescues man after falling overboard CLEVELAND - Coast Guard rescued a man that fell in the water at the North Coast Harbor Thursday evening, June 27. A 25' response boat and a 41' motor life boat arrived on-scene, and the response boat recovered the older man, as well as, a Cleveland Fire Department fire fighter that jumped in to help |
keep the man afloat.
The man's breathing was unsteady so he was administered rescue breathes, which stabilized his breathing; and then was transferred to local Emergency Medical Services. |
Wisconsin
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BAYFIELD, Wis. -- The Coast Guard rescued two male canoeists after their boat capsized Friday afternoon, June 22. Coast Guard Station Bayfield received notification after a Good Samaritan witnessed the two men capsize their canoe. The Good Samaritan walked into the nearby ranger station; then the park service relayed the information to the Coast Guard. |
After approximately thirty minutes, the Station Bayfield crew was able to pull the two men on-board its small boat. The crew performed CPR on one of the hypothermic men because he was unresponsive until they were both transferred to awaiting Emergency Medical Services onshore.
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