Weekly News

Enjoy Michigan's ďż˝Summer Free Fishing Weekendďż˝ June 9-10

The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone the annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10. On that weekend, everyone ďż˝ residents and non-residents alike ďż˝ can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

Since 1986, Michigan has annually celebrated the Summer Free Fishing Weekend as a way to promote awareness of the state's vast aquatic resources and the sheer fun of fishing. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing go hand in hand.

Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative gaining momentum

The DNR applauded the Lake Hudson Pheasant Cooperative (LHPC) for its efforts in building a coalition of landowners and others committed to restoring pheasant habitat and revitalizing pheasant hunting in Michigan.

ďż˝The Lake Hudson Pheasant Cooperativeďż˝s progress illustrates that bringing back Michiganďż˝s pheasant hunting tradition is important to people and that theyďż˝re eager to work together to make it happen,ďż˝ said Al Stewart, DNR upland game bird specialist. ďż˝If we can duplicate what the LHPC has accomplished in other communities ďż˝ and I believe we can ďż˝ then weďż˝re well on our way to success with the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative.ďż˝

One of the first cooperatives to form as part of the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative, the Lenawee County-based LHPC is collaborating with the DNR at Lake Hudson Recreation Area, where multiple Pheasants Forever chapters are providing volunteer labor and funds for habitat improvements that the DNR budget would not allow for otherwise. This work will take several years but will produce prime pheasant habitat containing native grass plantings with wildflowers and food plots. Cooperative members hope that local landowners will continue to join in this effort and connect filter strips, buffers and other blocks of habitat to this site, as well as enhance existing habitat to create a changed landscape that will benefit pheasants

as well as song birds, migratory birds, deer and other wildlife.

The LHPC also recently hosted its first annual meeting for 30-plus members, interested neighbors and partners, bringing local landowners together to learn about and discuss the cooperativeďż˝s plans for restoring pheasant habitat.

ďż˝This meeting was for those who really do care about quality habitat and bettering the pheasant populations in the area. And this cooperative will help them all get together for a common cause, a common goal,ďż˝ said Lauren Lindemann, Lenawee Conservation Districtďż˝s Farm Bill biologist. ďż˝This cooperative has a life of its own now. There are passionate people here.ďż˝

The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI) is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunity on private and public lands. It will accomplish this through public-private cooperatives that improve habitat for pheasants and other wildlife on a landscape level. The MPRI works by acquiring state and federal resources to assist landowners in the cooperatives to improve wildlife habitat on their property and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas or other public lands. Learn more about the MPRI at www.michigan.gov/pheasant.

Private 1000 yd range opened May 19

This is to let all avid long-range shooters know there is a new 1000-yard range opening on May 19 in Lake City (Missaukee County), Michigan. It is called the Marksmanship Training Center (MTC), and its website is www.MarksmanshipTrainingCenter.com. Memberships are available, and details are on the website. They also have a Facebook page.

The rifle/handgun ranges include a 25-yard outdoor range with 20 stations for recreation, training, and competition. Coming soon will be 50- and 100-yard ranges. The 1000-yard range has 10 stations, and is a 1000-yard KD and 300-1000+ UKD range. Recreational shooting is

membership based and is unsupervised. Events and

instructional programs are open to the public which will have range safety officer supervision.

Terrain at the range is rugged and may be difficult for people with disabilities. Competitive events at MTC will be traditional, tactical and customized. Visit the DNR shooting range website at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges

If you are a person who likes to shoot long distances, this is the only 1000-yard range in the Lower Peninsula open to the public for certain events! If you have questions, please contact MTC at [email protected].

Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Licenses under consideration

If House Bill 5334 is passed into law, Michigan hunters and anglers could purchase individual lifetime licenses for hunting and fishing several different types of species. The proposed lifetime licenses include firearm deer, archery deer, small game, restricted fishing, and all-species fishing. Individual

Individual lifetime license fees range from $220 to $285. An all-encompassing lifetime license for small game, firearm and archery deer, all-species fishing, bear, waterfowl, and resident fur harvester would sell for $1,025.

The bill was introduced at the beginning of the year by Representative Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland. At the time of introduction, there was no known opposition or support from outdoor groups. LeBlanc said the bill was inspired by the conversations he had with hunters who possessed lifetime licenses purchased in the short time frame that Michigan offered them (in 1989 and 1990).

Many hunters liked the lifetime licenses and would like to purchase one if it was an option, but DNR officials and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) worry they would negatively impact federal conservation funding and also complicate wildlife management efforts. Legislative Affairs Manager for MUCC Kent Wood said the group hasnďż˝t yet decided on an official position on LeBlancďż˝s

legislation. In theory, MUCC is supportive of multi-year, comprehensive licenses, but federal funding uncertainties hinder their support.

In an interview with Outdoor News, DNR Wildlife Chief Russ Mason said the licenses would increase revenue for the DNR in the short term, but ďż˝there are issues with obtaining federal (funding) match in the out years.ďż˝

But DNR Chief Budget Officer Sharon Schafer counters that notion, saying that federal funding wouldnďż˝t be affected by the legislation. The 3,135 hunters and anglers who purchased a lifetime license when it was available in 1989 are counted each year toward the total number of Michigan license buyers whose revenue generated is matched by federal funds.

Schafer said the problem lies in insufficient amounts of revenue generated from the sale of these licenses. A child who obtains a lifetime all-encompassing license in his/her youth would contribute a total of $1,025 for decades of hunting and fishing licenses. ďż˝You have to spread it out over their lifetime,ďż˝ Schafer said.

Rep. LeBlanc admits lifetime licenses could have funding implications, but that not enough hunters or anglers would buy a lifetime license to negatively impact the DNRďż˝s budget.

DNR reminds anglers of fishing regulation changes for 2012
Minnesota anglers are reminded of new regulations on various water bodies and other changes for the general 2012 fishing season. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials said the changes are summarized on page 4 of the 2012 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet, which is available at any license agent or online at www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.

New regulations for 2012 are listed below along with the page number in the regulations booklet where anglers can find more detail.

Angling methods

A change permitting multiple hooks on a single line allows anglers to use a crawler harness (page 9).
A change allowing artificial lures/bait to have an additional hook (page 9) allows anglers to use a stinger hook (page 9).
A new specific prohibition on noodling clarifies an existing provision that prohibits taking fish by hand (page 10).

Fish identification

When size restrictions are in place for a specific body of water and a fish is consumed on a watercraft docked or moored to shore and anglers are physically on the water, anglers must retain the fish carcass with head, dorsal fin and tail intact. Even after consumption, the fish must be counted as part of the possession limit.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Labeling from purchased dead bait must be retained (www.mndnr.gov/bait and page 12).
Bait buckets must be drained or have water exchanged if bait is kept prior to leaving any water body (page 12).
Drain plugs must be removed from all boating-related equipment prior to transporting (page 13).
A new list of waters infested with invasive species is provided (pages 16-25).
New restrictions on using fish taken from Lake Superior and its tributaries as bait are listed (page 33).
Catfish anglers may harvest bait in an infested waterbody and use that bait in the same water body, effective July 1.

The Minnesota Legislature repealed a requirement that watercraft display an aquatic invasive species (AIS) information sticker to avoid confusion when provisions of a new law go into effect in 2015. Although no longer required, placement of stickers on boats is still encouraged as a reminder about important AIS information.

The new law will require operators of trailers transporting watercraft or water-related equipment to complete an online AIS training course, beginning in 2015. When completed, trailer operators will receive a trailer sticker certifying their completion of the course.

Without repeal of the existing AIS sticker requirement, which was approved by the Legislature in 2011, display of both decals would have been required.

New experimental and special regulations were added or modified on six lakes and one stream with quality walleye, sunfish, crappie, brook trout or bass regulations (pages 34-54). Length-based regulations on northern pike were dropped on 21 lakes.

Lakes with key changes include:

Lake Vermilion (St. Louis County), walleye slot limit modified.
Long Lake (Kandiyohi County), largemouth bass slot limit modified.
Splithand, Little Splithand and Dixon lakes (Itasca County), panfish bag limits added.
Lester Lake (Hubbard County), catch and release for all species added.
Lawndale Creek (Wilkin County) catch and release for brook trout added.

Mille Lacs Lake walleye regulations were tightened. All walleye 17 to 28 inches must be immediately released. The possession limit is four fish, with only one longer than 28 inches.

A night fishing closure on Mille Lacs is in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily through Sunday, June 10. Night fishing on Mille Lacs begins at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11. Check online at www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing for the latest additions or corrections.

Park Rapids to host 2013 Governorďż˝s Opener

Next yearďż˝s 66^th annual Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener, May 10-11, 2013, will be held in the Park Rapids Lakes Area, a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Located in northwest Minnesota, the Park Rapids area is home to many great fishing lakes, Itasca State Park, the Heartland Trail, Lake Country Scenic Byway, and the Chippewa National Forest.

ďż˝The Park Rapids area has a long history as a family vacation destination. Holding the Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener here is a great way to focus on this areaďż˝s lakes, family resorts, parks and trails, and excellent fishing. Park Rapids reflects whatďż˝s great about fishing and travel throughout Minnesota, and that is what the Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener is all about,ďż˝ said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism.

The 2013 Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener will be hosted locally by the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, along with many sponsors and local volunteers. Dennis Mackedanz will chair the committee of volunteers to plan the event.

ďż˝The Park Rapids Lakes Area is a great destination to host

the Opener,ďż˝ said Mackedanz and Katie Magozzi,

executive director of the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, in a recent statement. ďż˝Our communityďż˝s slogan, ďż˝Now This is Minnesota,ďż˝ reflects our focus on outdoor recreation and the natural assets that make Minnesota a great vacation state. Our excellent local fishing, recreational activities, attractions and points of interest are a perfect fit for the 2013 Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener.ďż˝

The Governorďż˝s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesotaďż˝s recreation industry, and in recent years, it has served as a kick-off celebration for the summer tourism season. Travel and tourism generate $11.3 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually.

The Opener provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest. Media from throughout the region attend the event, resulting in significant publicity for the host community and Minnesota.

More information is available at: www.mngovernorsopener.com

DNR marking walleye fry to evaluate stocking levels

Minnesota DNR biologists began an eight-year study in 2008 to determine the optimum number of walleye fry that should be stocked back into lakes where eggs are removed for stocking purposes.

The first phase of the study focused on marking walleye fry using oxytetracycline (OTC) to differentiate stocked fry from those naturally produced. The last phase will now focus on determining the growth and survival of these marked fish to catchable size.

ďż˝This is a cutting edge fisheries research project,ďż˝ said Dale Logsdon, DNR fisheries research biologist in Waterville. ďż˝It uses technology to better understand biology and to help guide management practices that result in the maximum number of walleyes for the public to catch and enjoy.ďż˝

Annually, the DNR collects walleye eggs from 13 different spawning runs as part of a statewide walleye production and stocking program. Lakes supporting these spawning runs represent some of the most prolific walleye fisheries in the state. The importance of assuring that hatchery operations do not have negative impacts on these fisheries has long been recognized.

To compensate for possible impacts of these egg removals, the DNR has historically stocked at least 10 percent of the walleye fry hatch back into those lakes where eggs were removed. However, the effects of these compensatory stockings had never been thoroughly evaluated due to the inability to distinguish between natural and stocked fry. DNR fisheries biologists want to ensure that enough fry are returned to the lakes, but are also concerned that stocking too many fry could result in poor growth and survival of both wild and stocked fish, thus resulting in fewer catchable walleye in the population.

Too many young walleye in the system at one time can result in increased competition for food, reduced growth

rates, increased foraging times, and greater vulnerability to predation, according to Logsdon. ďż˝We want to optimize fry abundance to help ensure that we are maintaining the health of the walleye fisheries in our egg-source lakes.ďż˝

With the advent of the OTC technology, fisheries researchers are able to mark newly-hatched walleye fry by immersing them in a solution of OTC for several hours, just before they are stocked. The fry absorb a small amount of this chemical, resulting in a harmless mark left on the fish otolith, or ear bone, that can be detected years later using a microscope and ultraviolet light.

ďż˝This new technology enables us to determine how many walleye in a population originate from stocking versus natural reproduction,ďż˝ Logsdon said. ďż˝If a florescent mark is present, we know we are looking at a stocked fish.ďż˝

Four egg-source lakes ďż˝ Woman, Winnibigoshish, Otter Tail and Vermilion ďż˝ are included in the study. These lakes were chosen because of their ecological characteristics and the availability of historical fisheries data.

The studyďż˝s has two main objectives are to better understand the natural reproductive processes in these lakes, and to use this information to identify the optimal number or replacement fry to stock in relation to natural changes in spawner abundance.

Fisheries personnel stocked marked fry at predetermined levels during the first five years. Gill net surveys will continue the next three years to learn what fry densities maximize survival, growth and abundance. Achieving these target fry densities will likely require adjustments of historical stocking rates.

This study continues the DNRďż˝s history of implementing research projects that aim to improve the understanding and management of the stateďż˝s fishery resource. Minnesota, one of the nationďż˝s top five angling destinations, continues to provide some of the nationďż˝s best fishing.

Ohio High School Fishing State Championship June 9

The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW

Outdoors, the Ohio Bass Federation, and the Gallia County Convention & Visitors Bureau will host the 2012 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Ohio High School Fishing State Championship on Saturday, June 9 on the Ohio River. The launch will be out of the downtown ramp (public use ramp) located near Gallipolis, Ohio.

The championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their ďż˝coach,ďż˝ who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Check-in begins at 5:30pm EST on Friday, June 8 at the Gallia County Convention & Visitors Bureau in Gallipolis, Ohio, with a mandatory rules briefing at 7pm EST. We highly encourage all teams to preregister online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.

ďż˝We are so excited to be hosting the second annual SAF Ohio High School Fishing State Championship in Gallipolis,ďż˝ Executive Director of the Gallia County

Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bob Hood, said. ďż˝The

Northern zone musky season opens May 26

Recovered from spawning, fish "ready to chase just about anything"

HAYWARD - The northern zone musky season opens May 26 and anglers are likely to find good prospects for catching the official state fish, now that water temperatures are finally climbing and making the fish more active, state fisheries biologists say.

"The start of the 2012 northern musky fishing season should be timed perfectly with an increase in fish activity now that water temperatures have warmed into the mid- to upper 60s throughout most of northern Wisconsin," says Dave Neuswanger, Department of Natural Resources fisheries supervisor based in Hayward. "Most muskellunge completed their annual spawning ritual weeks ago during an early warming period, so they have long since recovered and will be ready to chase just about anything that moves!"

Neuswanger says that jerk baits and even spinners with bucktails should provide good action. "Anglers will find healthy musky populations in traditional waters, but do not overlook some of the smaller, out-of-the-way lakes and streams that often have surprising numbers of fish between 36 and 44 inches long," he says.

Fish in these waters tend to be more naďż˝ve than those in heavily pressured lakes, so they are more likely to be encountered and caught. Multiple-fish days on some of the less-pressured lakes and streams are not uncommon. "Also, this is the time of year when anglers targeting bass with spinner baits are subject to surprise attack by muskies, so using a wire leader and keeping some hook-out tools and gloves in the boat are good ideas," Neuswanger says.

Mike Vogelsang, fisheries supervisor based in Woodruff,

Wisconsin Muskellunge Waters book updated

Wisconsin Muskie regulations

Wisconsin Musky fast facts