Weekly News Archives

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Regional Swap meet March 1

Hey all you web site fishermen

Salmon Unlimited is holding their Annual Swap meet March

1^st at St.Viators church gym 3644 N. Kedvale, Chicago.   Doors

open at 8 AM - till 12 noon. Looking for bargain Great Lakes fishing supplies? Don't miss this one.

Dept of Interior gives millions for boating projects

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne last week announced that more than $13.5 million in grants will be awarded to 15 states ranging from California to Rhode Island for 19 boating infrastructure projects. The grants, will help fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, and are made available through the USFWS�s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.

"The Boating Infrastructure Grant program expands opportunities for recreational boating while strengthening a community's ties to the water," said Secretary Kempthorne. "Although it is funded by boaters, this program benefits the entire community by helping local economies, helping people connect with nature and improving public safety.

Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes on certain fishing and boating equipment and boat fuels. Smaller non-competitive grants are also available to states that are willing to match the BIG funding. The Service will release approximately $3.7 million to 38 states in non-competitive BIG funding.

BIG funds can be used to construct, renovate and maintain tie-up facilities with features for boats that cannot be trailered in vessels 26 feet or more in length. The funds also can be used to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program.

A panel of representatives from the Service as well as a committee from the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council reviewed and scored the BIG proposals. The Council is a federally chartered body that advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Service on recreational fishing and boating issues.

"Recreational boating enriches family life and strengthens children's connections to nature," said Council Chair, Ryck Lydecker. "The BIG program, which boaters pay for, has become a key element to help them continue that tradition."

For the first time, Arkansas, Georgia, Rhode Island, 

Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will receive a competitive BIG grant. The Service received 35 proposals from 20 states for these competitive grants.

The 15 winning proposals for competitive grants include:

Alabama:  $345,000, and match of $500,000 to construct nine slips for visiting boats and a fuel pier

Arkansas: $1 million, and match of $3 million to construct a dual purpose wave break and tie-up facility for 36 boats

California: $1.4 million, and match of $1.4 million to construct new dockage for up to 46 visiting boats 

California Department of Boating and Waterways, $425,000 and match of same to construct dockage for 22 visiting boats

Connecticut: $1.8 million, and match of same to construct dockage for 35 visiting boats

Florida:  $600,000, and match of $1 million to provide dockside utilities to 78 visiting boat slips.

The Florida Fish/Wildlife Commission:  $500,000, and match of $10 million to conduct one-time dredging operations

Georgia: $1 million, and match of $4.4 million to construct a 1,000 linear foot floating dock

Maryland: $405,000 and match of $225,000 to construct 25 slips for visiting boaters

Michigan: $1 million and match of $600,000 to construct 30 slips for visiting boats Grand Traverse Bay

New York: Port of Oswego, $434,000, and match of $150,000 to rehab facilities for up to 40 recreational visiting boats.

North Carolina:  Town of Bellhaven, $155,000, and match  of same to construct 900 linear ft of docking access for visiting boaters

Pennsylvania: $1,350,000, and match of $5.3 million to construct dockage for up to 17 visiting boats in Pittsburgh.

Rhode Island: City of Newport, $713,000 and match of $250,000 to construct a facility for visiting boaters.

Texas:  $366,000 and match of $200,000 to construct 16 slips for visiting boaters in Port Aransas

Texas: $660,000, and match of $220,000 to construct 48 permanent slips for visiting boaters in Port Lavaca Marina

Virginia: Norfolk, $340,000 and match of $350,000 to replace dock facilities in Norfolk.

Virginia, Poquoson - $300,000, and match of same to construct 20 slips for visiting boats.

Wisconsin: $765,000, and match of same to construct facilities for visiting boaters along Fox River in Green Bay.

Coast Guard Commandant addresses Marine Community Day

Cleveland - U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen, participated in several events as part of the annual Great Lakes Marine Community Day here on February 20.

"America's maritime transportation system is one of the safest and most efficient in the world," Adm. Allen said. "Working with our marine industry partners in the region, we can make it even safer and more efficient." 

Allen participated in an executive session with more than 25 leaders of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway maritime transportation community to discuss issues surrounding maritime transportation safety, security, and protection of the environment. During the session, Adm. Allen listened to the concerns of maritime industry leaders and reiterated the commitment he made in his State of the Coast Guard Address last week to enhance the Coast Guard's marine safety program.

"I have clearly stated the Coast Guard's longstanding commitment to honoring and serving professional mariners. My plan to enhance the Coast Guard marine safety program that is contained in the fiscal 2009 budget is a reflection of that commitment," he said during last week's address in Washington, D.C.

The president's FY09 budget request, if approved, would add nearly 300 new marine safety positions, open new maritime centers of excellence, and make other program enhancements to improve customer service and restore balance in the Coast Guard's marine safety program. Allen also addressed more than 250 members of the Great Lakes maritime community at a dinner Wed. evening.

Marine Community Day is the largest annual event in the Great Lakes region which brings together maritime industry leaders and regulating authorities from both the U.S. and Canada. The events' objective is to enhance communication between the marine community and those agencies which regulate them and to discuss selected issues concerning marine safety, maritime security, waterways management and the marine transportation system.

Participants included: USCG, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp (US), St. Lawrence Seaway Mgmt Corp (Canada), U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), as well as representatives of U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes fleets, ports, labor organizations, and industries served by Great Lakes/Seaway vessels.

For a transcript of the Commandant's State of the Coast Guard Address and  2009 budget request: www.uscg.mil/comdt

PRADCO Outdoor Brands acquires Lindy-Little Joe

FORT SMITH, Ark. � PRADCO Outdoor Brands announced today that it has acquired Brainerd, Minn.-based Lindy-Little Joe, Inc., a leading innovator and provider of fishing tackle, nets and drift socks.

Lindy-Little Joe, Inc. markets its products under the Lindy, Little Joe, Thill, Old Bayside, Munchies, M/G, Beckman and Drift Control brands. John Woller, Jr., Vice President and General Manager of PRADCO Outdoor Brands, said PRADCO has been strengthened by the acquisition.

�PRADCO has thrived in a competitive marketplace due to its focus on product innovation,� Woller said. �We are tremendously pleased with the addition of Lindy-Little Joe because it shares an equal focus on product development. Products such as the Lindy Rig are simply part of every fisherman�s vernacular, so in that respect and many others there are synergistic qualities in terms of brand equity and product approach that we feel will strengthen our position in the marketplace.�

Lindy-Little Joe will become part of the PRADCO-Fishing group and will continue to operate out of its Brainerd, MN location.

�The Lindy brand and product line is powerful in our industry, and we are thrilled to be associated with this company and its talented people,� said Bruce Stanton, V.P. and General

Manager of PRADCO-Fishing. �We look forward to serving Lindy�s customers and will continue to expand the company�s product development efforts and promotions.�

Lindy�s Ted Takasaki said Lindy will benefit greatly from the acquisition.  �PRADCO Outdoor Brands immediately strengthens Lindy�s presence in all markets around the world,� Takasaki said. �We are extremely excited about the sales and new product possibilities where anglers will greatly benefit from the combined resources of the two companies. I have always had great success with PRADCO-Fishing lures and look forward to the future.�

PRADCO-Fishing has operated in Fort Smith, Ark. since 1962, when it was Rebel Lures. In 1980, EBSCO Industries, Inc., of Birmingham, Ala., acquired Rebel (Plastics Research and Development Corporation). Since that time, PRADCO-Fishing has added many fishing brands, including Arbogast, Bomber, Booyah, Cotton Cordell, Creek Chub, Smithwick, Silver Thread and YUM.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands is an international leader in the marketing of hunting and fishing products under the Arbogast, Bomber, Cotton Cordell, Rebel, Smithwick, Silver Thread, XCalibur, Booyah, Heddon, Lazy Ike, Creek Chub, YUM, Carry-Lite, Knight & Hale, Knight Rifle, Green Mountain Rifle Barrels, Summit, Moultrie and Code Blue brands.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for February 22

Weather Conditions

Compared to recent weeks, much quieter weather set in across the Great Lakes basin this week.  Lots of sun did little to warm the air as a large dome of Canadian high pressure led to frigid temperatures.  A large storm will track through the Ohio Valley on Thursday night, leading to light snow across the extreme southern Great Lakes.   The upcoming weekend will see seasonable temperatures and a good deal of sunshine.   

Lake Level Conditions

Currently, Lake Superior is 8 inches higher than it was at this time last year. The remaining Great Lakes are 1 to 5 inches below their levels of one year ago.  Lake Superior is predicted to continue its seasonal decline and fall 1 inch over the next month.  Lake St. Clair is predicted to hold steady over the next 30 days, but weather conditions such as ice or precipitation may cause the lake to fluctuate greatly.  Lakes Michigan-Huron and Ontario are predicted to rise 2 inches over the next month.  Lake Erie is projected to rise 1 inch.  Lake Superior is predicted to stay above last year's water levels through July, but the remaining lakes are forecasted to remain below their levels of a year ago over the next several months. 

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions

Outflow from the St. Mary's, St. Clair, Detroit, and St. Lawrence Rivers were below average for January.  Outflow from Niagara was above average for last month. Ice buildup in the

connecting channels can cause large short-term water level fluctuations.

Alerts

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are below chart datum and forecasted to remain below datum through June.  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.  Ice information can be found at the National Ice Center's webpage.

Earthworms Found to Contain Chemicals from Households and Animal Manure

Earthworms studied in agricultural fields have been found to contain organic chemicals from household products and manure, indicating that such substances are entering the food chain, according to a study conducted by the USGS.

Manure and biosolids, the solid byproduct of wastewater treatment, were applied to the fields as fertilizer. Earthworms continuously ingest soils for nourishment and can accumulate the chemicals present in the soil.

The chemicals investigated are considered indicators of human and animal waste sources and include a range of active ingredients in common household products such as detergents, antibacterial soaps, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. Some of the detected chemicals are naturally occurring such as plant and fecal sterols and fragrances. All of these chemicals tend to be concentrated in the municipal waste distribution and disposal process and are referred to as anthropogenic waste indicators (AWI).

U.S. Geological Survey Scientists and their colleague from Colorado State University at Pueblo published their new findings today in Environmental Science and Technology. The results demonstrate that organic chemicals introduced to the environment via land application of biosolids and manure are transferred to earthworms and enter the food chain.

Scientists found 28 AWIs in biosolids being applied at a soybean field for the first time and 20 AWIs in earthworms from the same field. Similar results were found for the field where swine manure was applied. Several compounds were

detected in earthworms collected both from the biosolids- and manure-applied fields, including phenol (disinfectant), tributylphosphate (antifoaming agent and flame retardant), benzophenone (fixative), trimethoprim (antibiotic), and the synthetic fragrances galaxolide, and tonalide. Detergent metabolites and the disinfectant triclosan were found in earthworms from the biosolids-applied field, but not the manure-applied field.

Biosolids are made from the sludge generated by the treatment of sewage at wastewater treatment plants. Biosolids are used as fertilizer by farmers, landscapers, and homeowners when it satisfies U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and local regulations for nutrient, metal, and pathogen content. About half of the 8 million dry tons of biosolids produced in the U. S. each year are applied to the land. Biosolids have been found to be rich in AWIs compared to levels in wastewater treatment plant effluent. In addition, the 1.3 million farms raising livestock in the U. S. generate an estimated 500 million tons of manure annually, much of which is also applied to fields as fertilizer for crops.

This study is part of a long-term effort by the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program to determine the fate and effects of chemicals of emerging environmental concern in aquatic and terrestrial environments, and to provide water-resource managers with objective information that assists in the development of effective water management practices. It was funded in part by a Research Corporation Cottrell College Award and a Faculty Research Grant from Eastern Washington University.

More info: http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/earthworms.html

Obama Calls for More Gun Control

Baltimore Sun.com

Following last week�s tragic shooting at Northern Illinois University; Sen. Obama said he believes in the Second Amendment, but that there is plenty of room for added gun regulations. "There is an individual right to bear arms, but it's

subject to commonsense regulation," he said. According to Sen. Obama, these "commonsense" regulations include serializing each bullet and shell casing in a cartridge of ammunition and letting local jurisdictions set their own laws regarding gun ownership as is the case in Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

Bass fishing now an Illinois high school sport

The Illinois High School Association has approved a bass

fishing tournament as an IHSA activity for the spring 2009 if sponsorships can be acquired in advance.

Chronic Wasting Disease not detected in Ohio Deer

Testing conducted during last year's deer-gun season

COLUMBUS, OH - For the sixth straight year, testing of Ohio's deer herd has found no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a degenerative brain disease that affects elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, state officials collected 941 samples last year from hunter-harvested deer, primarily during the deer-gun season that ran November 26-December 2. All CWD testing is performed at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). 

In addition to CWD, 97 percent of the hunter-harvested deer samples were also tested for bovine tuberculosis. Results found no evidence of this disease in Ohio deer. Additional CWD samples are being taken from road-killed deer, but those test results are not yet available.

Since 2002, the Division of Wildlife, in conjunction with the ODA's Division of Animal Industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has been conducting surveillance throughout the state for CWD, as well as epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bovine tuberculosis. While CWD has never been found in Ohio's deer herd, it had been diagnosed in wild and/or captive deer or elk in 14 other states and two Canadian provinces. Since CWD was discovered in the Western United States in the late 1960s, there has been no evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans.

The Division of Wildlife continues to carefully monitor the health of Ohio's deer herd throughout the year. For the latest information on CWD, visit wildohio.com or the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance at cwd-info.org . To view individual test results visit the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Web site at www.ohioagriculture.gov/cwd/ .

Public comment invited on Wildlife issues, March 2

(COLUMBUS), OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will welcome the public to its annual Open Houses on Sunday, March 2, 2008, from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m.

"Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife. Graham adds that fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions.

Open houses will be held at the same day and time in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, Huron, and Xenia. Information

recorded at these open houses is forwarded to the division's

central office in Columbus, where it is considered during the formulation of 2008-2009 fishing, hunting, and trapping regulations. 

For more info or directions, call:  1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543). Proposals and directions can also be access via the Internet at www.wildohio.com.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 6 at the wildlife division's District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during its April 2 meeting.

Spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 14

Hearing questionnaire now available on DNR Web site

MADISON � The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed rules that regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities in Wisconsin by attending the 2008 Spring Wildlife and Fisheries Rules Hearings on Monday, April 14.

The hearings, held annually in every county of the state, are combined with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings during which residents can introduce their solutions to natural resources related issues, as well as elect fellow county residents as delegates to represent them on the Conservation Congress.

All hearings begin at 7 p.m. The Spring Rules Hearing agenda, questionnaire, meeting locations, and more information is available now for review on the Spring Rules Hearings pages of the Department of Natural Resources Web site.

At the hearings, people�s comments on proposed rules are recorded. Results of votes on proposed rule changes, along with written comments on proposed rules, are presented to the state Natural Resources Board to advise them on hunting

and fishing matters only.

Some of the key wildlife rule changes proposed include extending the raccoon trapping and hunting seasons by 15 days to coincide with the closing of the coyote trapping and fox hunting and trapping seasons, establishing a new population goal for bobcats, and prohibiting paintball activity on DNR managed lands except when approved by the department.

Fisheries management questions include extending the open season for musky from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31 in waters south of U.S. Highway 10 and modifying rules for anglers targeting flathead catfish tin the Winnebago system. As a result of the 2007-09 state budget passed by the legislature, fisheries management is obligated to establish a catch-and-release season for musky in inland waters north of U.S. Highway 10, and require that anglers use barbless hooks while fishing for musky during that catch-and-release season.

The state Natural Resources Board has an advisory question on extending the fall turkey season. The question asks if the turkey season should be extended to include the Monday following the nine-day gun deer season through Dec. 31 in turkey management zones 1-5 for a period of two years. Zones 6 and 7 in northern Wisconsin would be excluded.

Youth Hunting bill to be heard in Wisconsin Senate Committee

State Senator Robert Wirch (D-22) has introduced Senate Bill 472, which is similar to Assembly Bill 672, sponsored by Assemblyman Scott Gunderson (R-83), would establish Youth/Mentored program hunting to provide first-time hunters a �try before you buy� opportunity to get the full experience of hunting before committing to a hunter education course.  The bill requires a new hunter to be accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age, and who is always

within arms reach, with only one gun allowed between the two of them. 

SB 472 does NOT lower the current hunting age from twelve to ten.  SB 472 is important legislation, but needs to be amended before being passed to the Senate to match AB 672.  A lower minimum age will allow parents to decide when their children are mature enough to hunt, and help retain them as hunters for the future.  SB 472 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Wisconsin presents its draft impaired waters list for 2008 for public comment

The draft 2008 list of Wisconsin lakes and rivers with documented pollution problems is available for public comment beginning Feb. 19. To comply with the Clean Water Act, the Department of Natural Resources must submit the list to the federal government.

The draft 2008 list and other associated information can be found on the Identifying and Restoring Wisconsin's Impaired Waters page of the DNR Web site.  Public comments will be accepted through March 19, 2008, and can be mailed to the Wisconsin DNR Impaired Waters Program - WT/3, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, or e-mailed to [email protected].

The federal Clean Water Act requires states to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a list of impaired waters every two years that identifies the reason(s) why the lake or river segment is not supporting a quality fish community, swimming or many other recreational uses. The DNR is required to identify those pollutants causing water quality problems and their sources and then set the maximum amount allowed to still support a healthy water body.

Wisconsin�s draft 2008 list notes a change in status for an additional 50 lakes and river segments out of the state�s 15,081 lakes and 42,000 miles of perennially flowing rivers.

Scuppernong River in Waukesha County is proposed to be removed from the list because of improved water quality. DNR removed an earthen dam in 1993 and the agency�s subsequent stream habitat restoration work has brought trout back to the area.

Thirty-five waters will be added to the list for the first time, largely reflecting increased beach monitoring and identification of waters with degraded water quality caused by sediment and phosphorus pollution.

Airborne mercury from power plants and other sources remain the most common pollutant; this is why Gov. Jim Doyle has pledged to reduce mercury by 90 percent in Wisconsin and has directed DNR to develop rules to achieve that goal.

�Sedimentation,� is the second most common pollutant. It occurs when soil carried in runoff from farms, construction sites and urban surface areas decreases water quality, covers fish spawning beds and causes other problems.

The third most common pollutant is excessive levels of phosphorus and other nutrients in the water. Such pollution can result from natural causes, or from human activity such as fertilizing fields or lawns, and it can cause nuisance algal blooms.  Accordingly, in the most recent budget, Governor Doyle increased bonding to give the state increased resources to address critical run-off problems.