Weekly News

Week of May 30, 2011

Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues

Other Breaking News Items

DNR sets bass quotas at two Noble County lakes

COLUMBIA CITY � As the June 3 date draws near for an experimental change in bass fishing rules at Big and Crane lakes in Noble County, DNR officials have set quotas on how many bass they want anglers to take out this summer. Beginning Friday, June 3, anglers at both lakes will be able to keep up to five bass per day that are 10 to 14" long. Bass that are less than 10" and those that are 14" or longer, must be released.

Biologists say the 14" minimum size limit now in effect has enabled too many small bass to survive. Few exceed the limit and catching one bass more than 18 inches long is nearly impossible. Reducing the number of small bass should increase the size of those that remain.

�We want anglers to take home small bass. By doing so, they can catch fish to eat and help restore balance in both lakes,� said Jed Pearson, DNR biologist.

Based on recent sampling, Big Lake contains twice the normal number of small bass and Crane Lake contains three times the normal number. Nearly 75 % of the bass in Big Lake are 10 to 14" long. Less than 4 % are 14" or larger. At Crane Lake, bass that are 10-14" long make up 88% of its population and only seven percent are 14 inches or larger. �We estimate there are 4,400 bass that are 10-14" long in Big Lake and 1,200 in Crane Lake,� Pearson said. �To get bass numbers down to normal levels, anglers

will need to take home 2,000 small bass from Big Lake and 600 from Crane Lake.�

Although the new rule goes into effect June 3, the rule is only temporary until the quotas are reached. After anglers remove half of the small bass in each lake, the 14" size limit will go back into effect. If the quotas are not reached by Oct. 31, the 14" size limit will go back into effect as well. �We don�t know how long it might take to reach the quotas, but we plan to station survey clerks at both lakes to keep a count of the numbers of bass that are removed,� Pearson said.

The temporary rule only applies to Big and Crane lakes. Bass taken from these two lakes must not be released into other public waters.

Bass taken from these two lakes must be 10.0 to 13.9", measuring from the tip of the mouth to the tip of the tail. Big Lake is 228 acres in size and Crane Lake is 28 acres. Both are located seven to eight miles north of Columbia City off State Road 109. Free public access is available at each lake at DNR-owned boat ramps and gravel parking lots.

To find the boat ramp at Big Lake go west off State Road 9 onto Lakeshore Dr. The Crane Lake boat ramp is located along Noble County Road 500 South about one mile east of State Road 109.

DNR BOW program offers shooting classes in June

The Michigan DNR will offer a variety of shooting classes for women in June through the "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" (BOW) program. Three classes are offered, all focused on providing a safe and comfortable environment in which women can learn shooting skills, ask questions, practice shooting and enjoy the camaraderie of sharing in one another�s success.

Introduction to Muzzleloading is offered Sunday, June 12, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Detroit Sportsmen�s Congress. Qualified instructors will start with a review of basic firearm safety, followed by a discussion of the different types of muzzleloaders and the basic steps of loading, firing and cleaning the muzzleloader. Participants will load and fire traditional and current inline versions under the direct supervision of qualified instructors. Ammunition and eye and ear protection will be provided. There is a $30 per-person fee for this class, which is limited to 24 participants. The Detroit Sportsmen�s Congress is located at 49800 Dequindre Road in Utica.

Introduction to Sporting Clays is offered Wednesday, June 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Island Lake Shooting Range. Beginners as well as experienced shooters are welcome. Expert instructors will provide the basics of sporting clays shooting, including where to watch for the target and proper shotgun mount. Participants may bring their own

shotgun or one will be provided. Eye and ear protection will be available. There is a $40 per-person fee for this class, which is limited to 10 participants. Island Lake Shooting Range is located at 13600 East Grand River Road in Brighton.

Introduction to Handgun Shooting is offered Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Detroit Sportsmen�s Congress. Instructors will begin with firearm safety and cover the fundamentals of pistol shooting. Participants will learn ammunition basics, pistol shooting for sports and hunting, and tips on purchasing a handgun. Students will be shooting .22 handguns on the shooting range. A firearms display will be set up for handling various firearms under certified instructor supervision. All firearms, ammunition, and eye and ear protection will be provided. There is a $30 per-person fee for this class, which is limited to 24 participants. The Detroit Sportsmen�s Congress is located at 49800 Dequindre Road in Utica.

BOW is a noncompetitive program for women, in which each individual is encouraged to learn at her own pace. The emphasis is on the enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of outdoor activities, and sharing in the success of one another.

For registration and info: www.michigan.gov/bow, call 517-241-2225 or email [email protected].

NY DEC program to protect backcountry hikers and campers

New Steward Interns and Assistant Rangers will improve education and emergency response

Backcountry recreationists and the state�s natural resources will both receive a higher level of protection thanks to the creation of the Backcountry Stewards Internship Program, New York State DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced.

�DEC manages more than four million acres of lands and easements for the free use and enjoyment of the public,� Commissioner Martens said. �Backcountry Stewards and Assistant Forest Rangers will help ensure that the public is able to use and enjoy these lands safely, while protecting the natural resources of our incredibly diverse state lands.�

The Backcountry Stewardship Program expands the long running partnership between SCA and DEC that began more than a decade ago in the Hudson River Valley and the Adirondacks. Funding from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will be matched by contributions from SCA to hire college-aged students to work on state lands. SCA, a national leader in youth service and stewardship, will fulfill its mission to create the next generation of conservation leaders and DEC will improve its capacity to protect the natural resources of the state.

A total of 24 new jobs have been created for young men and women to work this summer as backcountry stewards in a variety of settings including the shores of Lake Ontario, the Catskill Park and the Adirondack Park and on a variety of DEC public lands including State Forests, Conservation Easement lands and New York State Forest Preserve lands. Eleven men and women have also been hired as Assistant Forest Rangers to work on the public lands in the Adirondacks.

While they will be wearing different uniforms, the recreating public can expect similar service from the Backcountry Stewards and Assistant Forest Rangers. Backcountry Stewards will camp overnight in the areas where they are assigned and the Assistant Forest Rangers will assist Forest Rangers with search and rescue missions and wildfire suppression.

Backcountry Stewards and Assistant Forest Rangers will receive substantial training before being placed in the field beginning Memorial Day Weekend. The Assistant Forest Rangers and most of the Backcountry Stewards will be patrolling through Labor Day weekend. The Backcountry Stewards in some heavily used areas will continue patrolling through Columbus Day weekend.

For more info: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/41282.html.

New York wants no discharge in Lake Ontario

ALBANY, N.Y. � New York state officials are calling for New York's portion of Lake Ontario to be designated as a "Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zone" by the USEPA. The entire 326-mile-long south shore of Lake Ontario from Youngstown to Cape Vincent would be protected under this designation.

Boaters would be banned from discharging on-board sewage into water in the area. Boaters would instead dispose of their sewage at specially designated pump-out stations, which can be found at many marinas. The state Department of Environmental Conservation, in collaboration with the state Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Department of State, has prepared a petition to the EPA requesting the designation.

Since 1976, DEC has designated most of the coastal

waters and connecting waterways in New York as Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zones. In 2010, DEC announced that it had set a goal of 2012 to establish No-Discharge Zones for all water bodies and waterways in the state. The Lake Ontario petition is part of DEC's continuing effort to meet that goal. Approval would extend protection to 326 miles of Great Lakes shoreline from Youngstown in the west, to Cape Vincent in the east.

Upon concurrence by EPA, an opportunity for public comment would be announced later this summer in the Federal Register. When that concludes, EPA will address comments and determination if there are an adequate number of vessel pump-out stations to support the No-Discharge Zone. If EPA concurs, the No-Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC law enforcement, State Police and local authorities.

DEC to reopen 2,500 acres of shellfishing areas

Area had been closed for over 40 years

Citing the positive results of sanitary surveys, water quality monitoring and shellfish tissue testing, New York State DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced the reopening of shellfish harvesting areas in approximately 2,500 acres of outer Hempstead Harbor, Nassau County.

�The announcement of the reopening of 2,500 acres of shellfishing lands in Hempstead Harbor for the first time in more than 40 years is a major achievement for the environment and the people of Long Island,� said Martens. �It�s also a testament to the power of a commitment to partnership over decades between the state and local governments who, with strong community support, were able to improve water quality in historic Hempstead Harbor

and restore a way of life that has been part of Long Island�s

heritage and economy for hundreds of years.�

DEC�s regulations will reclassify approximately 2,500 acres of underwater lands to certified year-round shellfish harvesting areas. Since the affected area is state owned, anyone may harvest shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels and scallops) consistent with daily harvest limits and size limits for the various types of shellfish available www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29870.html. The inner portion of Hempstead Harbor and three tributaries (East Creek, West Pond and Dosoris Pond) that empty into outer Hempstead Harbor will remain closed to shellfishing. An updated map, showing the small semi-circular closed area that is included in the final rule: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/72944.html.

NY Initiative to Keep Lake Ontario Waters Clean

State Requests "No-Discharge" Designation from EPA

Seeking to safeguard water quality and improve recreational opportunities, state officials announced today that they are calling for New York's portion of Lake Ontario to be designated as a �Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zone� by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A No-Discharge Zone designation means that boaters are banned from discharging their on-board sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at specially designated pump-out stations, which can be found at many marinas (see attached list).

Treated and untreated wastes can deliver pathogens and toxins to local waters and contribute to harmful nutrient loadings. Waste treated by on-board septic systems often contains chemical additives such as formaldehyde, phenyls and chlorine. These pollutants can harm water quality, pose a risk to people�s health, and impair marine life and habitats.

Table 1-Map of Map of Pumpout Locations Serving Lake Ontario

Table 2- Pumpout Facilities Serving Lake Ontario

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in collaboration with the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the Department of State (DOS), has prepared a petition to the EPA requesting the designation to protect the waters of Lake Ontario.

Since 1976, DEC has designated most of the coastal waters and connecting waterways in New York as Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zones. In 2010, DEC announced that it had set a goal of 2012 to establish No-Discharge Zones for all waterbodies and waterways in the state. The Lake Ontario petition is part of DEC�s continuing effort to meet that goal. Approval would extend protection to 326 miles of Great Lakes shoreline from Youngstown in the west, to Cape Vincent in the east.

Upon concurrence by EPA, an opportunity for public comment would be announced later this summer in the Federal Register. When that concludes, EPA will address comments and determination if there are an adequate number of vessel pump-out stations to support the No-Discharge Zone. If EPA concurs, the No-Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC law enforcement, State Police and local authorities.

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EDITORIAL: Block the carp
Federal and state officials in Illinois this week outlined a plan for stepping up the multimillion-dollar war against invading Asian carp. These positive steps fall short of the best way to keep the invaders out of the Great Lakes.

A Great Lakes invader is doing some good
Millions of round gobies are thriving in the waters of Lake Michigan off Chicago and throughout much of the Great Lakes. But as is often the case with invasive species, their ecological impact has not been devastating, but complicated.

Lamprey cuts threaten charter boat captains
A $3 million federal cut from sea lamprey control in 2012 could cause many of Michigan�s charter boat captains to go out of business, according to the state�s Charter Boat Association.

Researchers look for VHS fish disease in Winnebago System
The Wisconsin DNR and other researchers were on the Lake Winnebago System Monday, where a deadly fish disease was first diagnosed in Wisconsin four years ago.

Funds to restore Great Lakes available to farmers in Lake Erie watershed
Farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin have the chance to sign up for a special program to improve water quality in the Great Lakes

Invasive species imports flagged
Ships on the St. Lawrence Seaway receive much of the blame for bringing pests from foreign lands into the Great Lakes waterway, but this week environmental groups are turning to another culprit: pets gone bad.

Record 106 lb Missouri Bighead Carp

Gene Swope was snagging for paddlefish on Lake of the Ozarks when he hooked and landed an unfortunate Missouri state record. Swope hauled in a 106 lb bighead carp, which easily passed the previous 80 lb state record and outweighs the IGFA all-tackle world record by 16 lbs. However, Swope's catch won't be counted as an IGFA world record because snagging isn't allowed under IGFA rules.

All bait buckets in Minnesota must be emptied

The fight to slow the spread of invasives into Minnesota lakes means major changes for the state's 1.5 million anglers following passage of a new law. The biggest change: Anglers will have to drain their minnow and leech buckets when they leave any waters -- not just waters infested with invasive species -- if they want to keep their bait.

Michigan invader stopped at Oregon border: Tenacious zebra mussel hitchhikes cross country

A tenacious zebra mussel that hitchhiked across the country, attached to a Michigan boat bought by an Oregon man, was stopped by inspectors there before it could invade the waters of that state.

Group to track walleye in St. Marys

A group of several constituents that work with the St. Marys River fishery is conducting a walleye movement study in the river this summer. Walleye from Munuscong Bay have been fitted with internal acoustic transmitters that will allow Lake Superior State University students and fisheries biologists to track their movement

Northern zone musky season opens May 28

Northern zone musky season details

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