New bass fishing rule is topic of public meeting, May 10

COLUMBIA CITY � Anglers will have an opportunity at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 10, to learn about a new bass fishing regulation scheduled to go into effect next month at Big and Crane lakes in Noble County.

The rule changes the size of largemouth bass that can be kept when fishing at the two lakes. Beginning June 3, the only largemouth bass that anglers at the two lakes will be allowed to keep will be largemouth bass that are 10 to 14 inches long. All bass less than 10 inches long and 14 inches or larger will have to be released. The daily catch limit will remain at five bass.

The purpose of the new rule is to enlist anglers in an experimental project designed to reduce the number of small, slow-growing bass in both lakes and increase the

number of large bass. DNR officials will provide a summary of survey data used to form the new rule and explain how the rule will be evaluated. Once sufficient numbers of 10- to 14-inch bass are removed, the standard 14-inch minimum size limit will go back into effect.

The rule presentation by DNR officials will be part of a program that starts at 6 p.m. at the Big Lake Church of God, located seven miles north of Columbia City on State Road 109. The program is sponsored by the Upper Tippecanoe River Lakes Association (UTRLA) and the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation (TWF).

The presentation on the new bass regulation will follow a discussion focusing on lake health. A third segment on finding ways to introduce youngsters to fishing will take place to close the program.

Elk and Bear Applications on Sale Now Through June 1

Michigan elk and bear hunting licenses are now available through June 1.  Apply online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings or at any retail license agent.

There will be 155 elk licenses for the 2011 hunting season, of which 90 licenses will be distributed for the August/September hunt and 65 licenses for the December hunt. The October hunt period will not be utilized during the 2011 season. The August/September hunt is designed to target elk outside the primary elk range before these elk move for the breeding season. The December hunt will occur in the core elk range and also allows additional harvest outside the core area.

Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. This includes qualified military personnel and full-time students attending a Michigan college or university who reside in the state during the school year.

There will be 11,742 bear hunting licenses available for the 2011 hunting season, with license quotas remaining the

same as 2010.  If any licenses remain after the drawing,

one leftover license may be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis in July until the quota is met in each hunt period. There is no guarantee that leftover licenses will be available for any hunt unit or hunt period.

All commercial hunting guides utilizing state-owned lands in 2011 must receive written authorization. Conditions of the written authorization include, but are not limited to, carrying general liability insurance and paying an authorization fee. If you are a guide who utilizes state-owned lands, please visit www.michigan.gov/statelandpermission or call the nearest DNR Operations Service Center for more detailed information.

Hunters are reminded to apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt. Increase your odds of getting a bear and elk license by applying for the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing.  Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes a bear and any-elk license. By applying, you will not impact your preference points or weighted chances. Only $4 for each application; apply as many times as you would like at www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt.

DEC advises anglers to be on the lookout for lake sturgeon 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding anglers to be aware of spawning lake sturgeon in tributaries of the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes and Oneida Lake. Last season DEC staff received numerous reports of lake sturgeon caught by anglers in Buffalo Harbor. Lake sturgeon are listed as a threatened species in New York, therefore, there is no open season for the fish and possession is prohibited.

Anglers are more likely to encounter sturgeon in May and June when the fish gather to spawn on clean gravel or cobble shoals and in stream rapids. Those who unintentionally hook a sturgeon should follow the below practices to ensure that the fish are returned to the water unharmed:

►Avoid bringing the fish into the boat if possible

►Use pliers to remove the hook; sturgeon are almost always hooked in the mouth.

►Always support the fish horizontally; do not hold sturgeon in a vertical position by their head, gills, or tails, even for taking pictures

►Never touch their eyes or gills

►Minimize their time out of the water

Lake sturgeon populations are recovering as a result of

protection and stocking efforts by DEC and partners. Since 1994, sturgeon have been periodically stocked by DEC

into Black Lake, Cayuga Lake, Genesee River, Oneida Lake, Oswegatchie River, Raquette River, St. Lawrence River, and St. Regis River. They are often tagged as part of ongoing research efforts by state and federal agencies. If you find a tagged sturgeon, please follow the reporting instructions on the tag or contact your regional DEC office for assistance.

Lake sturgeon are one of three species of sturgeon native to New York. They are native to the Mississippi River Basin, Great Lakes Basin, and Hudson Bay region of North America and are the largest fish native to the Great Lakes, growing up to seven or more feet in length and achieving weights of up to 300 pounds. Male sturgeon live as long as 55 years and females live as long as 80 to 150 years.

Sturgeon were once abundant in New York, but commercial fishing, dam building and habitat loss decimated populations. Today they can still be found in Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, Genesee River, Grasse River, Oswegatchie River, Black Lake, Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Oneida River, Seneca River, Oswego River and Cayuga Canal.

Freshwater Fishing kicks into high gear on

May 7

Catch and Release Bass Season Already Underway

The first Saturday in May marks the beginning of the fishing season for many popular warmwater sportfish species, including walleye, northern pike, pickerel, and tiger muskellunge. With the warmwater opener, most of the New York sportfish seasons will be open. This includes catch and release fishing for black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) in many waters across the state. Muskellunge fishing season and the regular (harvest) season for black bass open on the 3rd Saturday in June (June 18).

�New Yorkers are fortunate to have such a large variety of popular sportfish to chose from,� said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. �We hope that all anglers find the time to enjoy these fishing opportunities in 2011 and encourage them to share their enjoyment by introducing someone new to the sport.�

Walleye are very popular springtime targets and fishing opportunities now exist in over 100 waters throughout the state. As part of ongoing management and research programs, DEC has stocked 60 waters with walleye fry or fingerlings over the last 5 years in almost all regions of the state. Anglers are also encouraged to take advantage of the black bass catch and release season for many state waters as well as the early season for black bass in Lake Erie, which also opens on May 7. Spring also provides outstanding fishing opportunities for yellow perch, sunfish and crappie, valued for their tasty flesh. These species are common throughout the state and provide easy fishing for even novice anglers. A popular sportfish in southern and Midwestern states, channel catfish also flourish in many of our larger lakes and rivers, provide a very tasty meal, and are underutilized by New York anglers. A complete listing of 2011 warmwater fishing hotspots recommended by DEC biologists can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/64710.html.  

DEC will be initiating a number of bass studies in 2011. These studies include an effort to assess black bass populations statewide, the investigation of black bass movements following bass tournaments on Lake Champlain and a tournament monitoring program on Oneida Lake. Participation from bass anglers will be requested for both tournament studies.

Warmwater anglers on Lake Champlain are requested to

report any catches of sauger to Emily Zollweg at the DEC

Region 5 office in Warrensburg at (518) 623-1264. The status of sauger, a close relative of the walleye, has been unknown in the lake for a quite some time, until a single sauger was caught in a DEC survey last spring. Sauger can be distinguished from walleye by the three to four saddle-shaped dark brown blotches on their sides, the distinct black spots on the first dorsal (back) fin and the lack of a white tip on the lower lobe of the tail fin.

Use Baitfish Wisely

Anglers using fish for bait are reminded to be careful with how these fish are used and disposed of. Careless use of baitfish is one of the primary means by which non-native species and fish diseases are spread from water to water. Unused baitfish should be discarded in an appropriate location on dry land. A "Green List" of commercially available baitfish species that are approved for use in New York State has now been established in regulation. In most cases, these fish must also be certified as disease free. For a complete discussion of these regulations and how to identify approved baitfish species, download the brochure �Baitfish of New York State� at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/74079.html. Personal collection and use of baitfish other than those on the "Green List" is permitted, but only on the water from which they were collected and they may not be transported overland by motorized vehicle. Anglers are reminded that new regulations for transportation of baitfish are currently under consideration, and these proposed regulations can be viewed at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/73305.html.  

www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html.

Preventing Invasive Species and Fish Diseases

Anglers are also reminded to be sure to dry or disinfect their fishing and boating equipment, including waders and boots, before entering a new body of water. This is the only way to prevent the spread of potentially damaging invasive plant and animal species (didymo and zebra mussels) and fish diseases (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) and whirling disease). Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.

Commissioner Martens also encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. For more information on the Habitat/Access Stamp Program visit

Changes to recreational fishing regulations for Flounder (Fluke)

Amendment adopted to comply with management plan requirements

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the new 2011 recreational fishing regulations for summer flounder (fluke). The new regulations, which are effective immediately, specify a 3-fish possession limit, 20.5" minimum size and an open season of May 1 through September 30.  These new limits replace the 2010 regulations which included a 2-fish possession limit, a 21-inch minimum size and an open season from May 15 through September 6.

New York State participates in the cooperative management of migratory marine fisheries as a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). ASMFC adopts Interstate Fisheries Management Plans (FMP's) for the prudent management and conservation of quota managed species along the Atlantic Coast. Each member state of ASMFC must implement the provisions of the FMPs for the quota managed species within its state waters.

As required by the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (ACFCMA), ASMFC determines if states

have implemented provisions of FMP's in a timely manner.

If ASMFC determines a state to be in non-compliance with an FMP for a specific species, the Commission notifies the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. If the Secretary concurs in the non-compliance determination, the Secretary promulgates and enforces a complete prohibition on all fishing for the species in the waters of the non-compliant state until the state complies with the FMP.

The current stock assessment for summer flounder (fluke) shows that the population is nearly rebuilt, not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Recent changes to the fluke FMP allow states to liberalize their harvest of fluke in order to achieve optimum use of the fishery resource. New York State has chosen to adopt new regulations that meet the requirements of the FMP while providing greater fishing opportunities for fluke this year.

The text of the new regulation will be published in the State Register on May 18, 2011 and is available online at www.dec.ny.gov.  DEC will be accepting public comments on the new fluke regulation through July 5, 2011. Recreational marine fishing regulations can be viewed on the DEC website at: /www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html.  For additional information, contact DEC Marine Resources Division at 631-444-0435.