Free Fishing Weekend June 7-8

Enjoy a free weekend of fishing this June 7-8. Hoosier adults do not need a license to fish Indiana's public waters during Free Fishing Weekend. Children under the age of 17 do not need a fishing license at any time.  To help kids and adults celebrate Free Fishing Weekend, recreation areas located across Indiana are planning fun fishing derbies, casting clinics, fish cleaning demonstrations and cooking classes.

Check out a new lake or river, or introduce friends and family to a favorite fishing spot. Call your favorite property for details. Some properties require registration.

Although no fishing license is needed to fish public waters on Free Fishing Weekend, all other fishing regulations are still in effect. Individuals who need reasonable modifications for effective participation in Free Fishing Weekend events at DNR properties should contact the property at least 72 hours before the event. Or, call DNR ADA Coordinator: 317-232-4145.

Properties hosting activities for Free Fishing Weekend

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� Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA), Cloverdale, 765-795-3552

� Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA), Rockville, 765-344-1412

� Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis, 317-327-7110

� Hardy Lake, Scottsburg, 812-794-3800

� Hot Pond Park, Lebanon, 765-482-8860

� J. Edward Roush Lake, Huntington, 260-468-2127

� Mississinewa Lake, Peru, 260-468-2127

� Monroe Lake, Bloomington, 812-837-9546

� O'Bannon Woods State Park, Corydon, 812-738-8234

� Ouabache State Park, Bluffton, 260-824-0924

� Patoka Lake, Birdseye, 812-685-2447

� River Preserve County Park, Goshen, 574-535-6458

� Salamonie Lake, Andrews, 260-468-2127

� Saint Patrick County Park, South Bend, 574-277-4828

� Shakamak State Park, Jasonville, 812-665-2158

� Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Vallonia, 812-358-3464

� Summit Lake State Park, New Castle, 765-766-5873

� Versailles State Park, Versailles, 812-689-6424

� Whitewater Memorial State Park, Liberty, 765-458-5565

� Williams Dam Public Fishing Area, Williams, 812-388-5562

� Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, Morocco 219-285-2704

DNR property information: www.in.gov/dnr/12383.htm

Indiana fishing regulations: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3704.htm

Fishing-license sales benefit all lake users, not just anglers

Indiana�s Free Fishing Weekend, June 7-8, gives Indiana residents the chance to fish for everyone's favorite price, but that's just the small picture.

The main theme is that the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the weekend's sponsoring agency, hopes this on-the-house fun hooks  weekenders into buying an annual resident fishing license for $17, so they can fish again�and even if they don't have such plans.

That makes perfect sense, until that last part. After all, the DFW benefits from such sales. But so do all of the state's lake users, even if they never throw a line in the water.  �Free Fishing Weekend is a great idea, but we want folks to understand that the overall benefit and value of buying a fishing license goes beyond the weekend's fun,� said Bill James, chief fisheries biologist.

 Funds generated from fishing-licenses sales are used for conservation law enforcement, public boat ramps, fish stocking, research, aquatic  education, fish habitat projects, weed control, seawall construction, dredging projects and other activities that affect not only the overall health  of a lake, but also the property values of  the land surrounding it.

Fishing-license sales are based on the principle of �user-pay.� This means that those who buy a license benefit directly from the money generated. In addition to the direct income from license sales, the DFW receives federal "Sport Fish Restoration Funds," which are derived from a federal excise tax on certain sport-fishing equipment and motorboat fuel. The

amount of federal funds received by a state is based in part on the number of certified fishing-license buyers in that state.  "This funding mechanism has worked well for many decades and is the cornerstone of fish management in Indiana and across the nation," James said. 

Indiana, like many other states, has seen a decline in fishing-participation numbers�and therefore license sales�in recent years. This means fewer licenses sold, meaning less money for fisheries programs�and for many other lake-maintenance and enhancement activities. "That means that if you enjoy the state's lakes, you should consider buying a fishing license even if you never plan to fish because it is an economic investment in our lakes," James said.

"We encourage more people to go fishing,� James said. �That�s the purpose of the Free Fishing Weekend, but part of that is getting more people to actually buy a license, even people who may never go fishing.  �Enjoy Free Fishing Weekend, then go out and buy a fishing license to help us manage lakes. A license is an economic investment that benefits everyone.�

For more info on Free Fishing Weekend at DNR properties and Indiana fishing regs:  www.dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/3704.htm.  To buy a fishing license or find a local retailer who sells licenses, go to www.indianaoutdoor.IN.gov.   For more information call the DNR Customer Service Center, (317) 232-4200.

For license sales statistics, see http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/ and click on Historical License Data.

DNR launches interactive fishing-site Web map

Bigger bass in Ball and Robinson lakes

The Indiana DNR has launched a new interactive Indiana map displaying more than 800 fishing access sites across Indiana. Anglers browsing  for a fishing spot or launching ramp can zoom in, zoom out, turn on aerial photos to learn the lay of the land, or click on icons to get more  information.

Access sites on the map are state properties, county parks,

city parks and municipalities. Information regarding fees may

be a daily-use fee, or a DNR Lake Permit. Boats on state park, reservoir or forestry properties need a DNR Lake Permit.

DNR's Where to Fish Finder: www.wildlife.IN.gov

Purchase a fishing license or find a license vendor: www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov

Big largemouth bass lurk at two lakes, thanks to regulation

Ball Lake in Steuben County and Robinson Lake in Whitley County offer anglers an increased shot at landing bigger largemouth bass, thanks to the results of a special regulation requiring the release of largemouth bass less than 18" long.  The regulation also restricts anglers to keeping only two largemouth bass that are more than 18" long.

According to the DNR, the number of 14" and larger largemouth bass increased at Ball Lake in Steuben County from an average of less than 1 per acre to over 3 per acre after the special regulation was imposed in 1996. The number of 18" and larger largemouth bass doubled from 1 per 10 acres to 1 per 5 acres.

At Robinson, numbers of 14" and-larger largemouth bass rose from 8 per acre to nearly 14 per acre, although the number of 18" and larger largemouth bass dropped slightly below 2 per acre.

Biologists have periodically monitored largemouth bass populations in both lakes to study the long-term impacts of the special regs. The most recent sampling took place over a three-week period in April and May. Using electro-fishing boats that temporarily stun fish, biologists captured 809 largemouth bass more than 8" long at Ball Lake and 848 such bass at Robinson Lake. Of these, 36 % were 14" and larger at Ball Lake. The figure at Robinson Lake was 33 %.

At Ball Lake, the number of 14" and-larger largemouth bass captured per hour of electro-fishing increased five-fold from an average of 11 before the limit to 51 after the limit. The catch rate at Robinson Lake increased from 26 per hour before to 67 after the limit. The catch rate of 18� and larger largemouth bass more than tripled at Ball Lake and increased 11 % at Robinson Lake.

Current bass fishing rules at most Indiana lakes allow anglers to keep up to five bass that are 14% and larger per day. "Questions we now need to answer are whether special regulations would benefit other lakes and whether fishermen would support them," said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist.  When the same regulation was imposed at three lakes on the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area near North Webster, the results were less dramatic even though anglers supported it.

The Tri-County lakes, however, had been under a 14-inch limit from 1973 until 1996, while Ball and Robinson had no size limit until 1990, and a 12� limit until 1996. Pearson said the reason is that bass grow faster in Ball and Robinson lakes.

Biologists say they need to better understand when and where special bass regulations can be used to determine which other lakes could benefit.  "We are not going to impose an 18" size limit everywhere, but there could be more lakes where we would like to try it," Pearson said.

Michigan�s Free Fishing Weekend Slated for June 7-8

Michigan�s annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend has been scheduled for June 7-8, the DNR announced. For these two days only, residents and non-residents alike can fish without purchasing a fishing license, though all other regulations that govern fishing in Michigan still apply. 

Michigan has offered a Free Fishing Weekend since 1986 as a way to promote the state�s diverse natural resources.  With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,037 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, Michigan�s freshwater angling opportunities are among the best in the nation.

�Fishing is a great way to connect with nature,� said DNR

Director Becky Humphries. �I encourage Michigan residents and visitors to get out and discover the many rewards associated with fishing.

�Free Fishing Weekend is an especially good time for experienced anglers to take a youngster or a friend out for that first fishing experience,� Humphries continued. �Mentoring others helps ensure Michigan�s conservation heritage will be passed along to future generations.�

Many state parks will hold special events in conjunction with Free Fishing Weekend.  For a list of events: www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on �Fishing�, then click on the link for �Free Fishing Weekend.�

Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center Hosts Free Catch-And-Release Fishing Program

The Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center at the Oden State Fish Hatchery is celebrating Michigan�s Free Fishing Weekend with a catch-and-release fishing program for children ages 5-16 on Saturday, June 7 from 8 AM - noon.

Fishing will take place at the center�s show pond, which is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout, and all equipment will be provided.  There is no registration to fish, but all participants will share space and equipment.

�Our ultimate goal with our children�s fishing programs is recruitment and retention of our young anglers, through sharing our fishing knowledge and enthusiasm of the

resource,� said Maureen Jacobs, visitor center interpreter.

�Free Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to introduce others to this enjoyable pastime.�

Free Fishing Weekend means Michigan residents and visitors are able to fish without purchasing a fishing license on both Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8. All other fishing regulations apply.

The Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center is located on US-31, five miles east of Petoskey. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10-6 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. Tours of the Oden State Fish Hatchery are offered daily. For information about events and programs, contact the center at (231) 348-0998.

DNR Seeks Public Input on Revision of state Threatened and Endangered Species List

The Department of Natural Resources is requesting public input on proposed changes to the Michigan Threatened and Endangered Species List.  In June, four public hearings will be held across Michigan to discuss the proposed changes.  Individuals can also submit written comments via e-mail or U.S. mail.

Michigan Public Act 451 Part 365 requires periodic review of the state�s Threatened and Endangered Species List.  Similar to previous reviews, the DNR convened seven technical advisory committees to review the list and recommend changes.  The committees consisted of university researchers, Michigan Natural Features Inventory biologists, agency staff and other species experts. Each committee offered recommendations on a particular species group, such as mollusks, insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and plants. 

Of particular interest may be the proposed removal of the bald eagle and the gray wolf from the list.  Both species have exceeded population recovery goals and were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered wildlife in 2007, but they are currently classified as threatened under Michigan regulations. 

Copies of the proposed changes to the list (SOAHR 2007-007 NR) may be accessed from the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules web site at http://www.michigan.gov/orr.

Printed copies may also be obtained by contacting:  Regulatory Affairs Officer, Office of Legal Services, Michigan DNR, PO Box 30028, Lansing, MI  48909, 517-241-2328, FAX: 517-373-8063, or [email protected].  

Public hearing locations and dates are as follows:

Tuesday, June 10: Grayling, Ramada Grayling Conference Center, 2650 I-75 Business Loop;

Wednesday, June 11: Lansing, Michigan Library and Historical Center; 702 W. Kalamazoo St.

Monday, June 16: Newberry, Comfort Inn, 13954 State Hwy M-28;

Tuesday, June 17: Houghton, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr.

At each location, an informational session will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern and the formal public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m.  All interested persons are invited to attend and present their views. It is requested that all statements be submitted in writing for the hearing record. 

Written comments may be submitted to the DNR via email to [email protected] or via hard copy to Endangered Species Coordinator, DNR Wildlife, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909-7944.  To be considered during the list-revision process, written comments or e-mails must be received by 5 p.m. on July 10, 2008.

DNR to convene multi-state meeting on lead fragments in venison June 4

Wildlife, public health and food safety experts from five states will meet in Minnesota next week for the purpose of helping regulators, hunters and processors better understand the implications of lead fragments in hunter-harvested deer.

The meeting, hosted by the Minnesota DNR, will be held Wednesday, June 4, in Bloomington.

"This  is  the beginning of  a regional effort to develop consistent programs and recommendations based on the best professional judgment of  public health, agricultural and natural resources officials and scientists," said Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife section chief. "Minnesota is taking a leadership role because we understand how important this topic is to so many different people."

Lead fragments found in venison donated by hunters last fall resulted in recalls of some of the meat from food shelves in Minnesota and North Dakota due to the unknown health risks associated with consumption of lead particles. No illnesses have been linked to consumption of fragments from lead ammunition but officials in both states opted to err on the side of caution.

Simon said invitations have been sent to wildlife, public health and agricultural agency representatives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Representatives from the hunting industry and hunting organizations also have been invited.

Each state will review the status of its venison donation program, which typically allows hunters to donate deer to food shelves, and identify potential guidelines for management of venison donation programs this fall.

Participants also will discuss developing recommendations to guide hunters in the processing and consumption of their own venison as well as identify additional research and information about lead fragments that may be needed.

"Our expectation is that this is a working meeting that will produce a better understanding of current efforts concerning lead fragments in venison," Simon said. "We want to identify future needs, provide guidance to hunters and processors and develop a consensus on the core elements of a uniform communication effort that will enable our respective deer management and venison donation programs to remain viable."

Take advantage of Take-a-Kid Fishing Weekend June 6-8

Minnesotans who want to catch some quality family time are encouraged to take advantage of Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend, which is June 6-8.  Minnesota residents 18 and older can fish for free during these days when they accompany an angler younger than 16.

"Most kids would love to go fishing," said C.B. Bylander, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) outreach section chief. "By eliminating the need for a license on these three days, we're providing an opportunity for family and friends to try the recreational sport of fishing with a youth and encouraging people to get outdoors, have fun, and discover joys of fishing."

Finding a place to fish is easy. Visit www.mndnr.gov/takemefishing  on the DNR web site. Just click on the link to Lake Finder to catch all sorts of inside information. Or, visit exploreminnesota.com to find great places to stay, play and fish. Finally, visit the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Web site at mn.takemefishing.org to hook great tips to make the trip a success.

The DNR's MinnAqua program, which teaches kids and adults

about lake and stream ecology through angling, is planning several events corresponding to Take-A-Kid Fishing Weekend. Events scheduled for Saturday, June 7, include:

- children's Fishing Clinic at Camden State Park near Lynd

- fishing History Fun at William O'Brien State Park near Marine-on-St. Croix

- fishing History Fun at Lake Bemidji near Bemidji

- fishing History Fun at Bear Head Lake near Ely

- �Take A Kid Trout Fishing� at Whitewater State Park near Altura

More information on these events is available online at www.mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing.  

"The idea is to give Minnesotans an opportunity to show kids just how much fun fishing can be," said Jenifer Matthees, DNR MinnAqua program coordinator. "The only way to do that is to get these excitable young anglers-to-be out to the lake."

June 1-8 also is National Fishing and Boating Week. Boating information, fishing tactics, tips on equipment and safety, advice and stories from pro anglers is available online at www.rbff.org.

Eastern larch beetles killing Minnesota's tamarack trees

Tamarack trees are reeling from Eastern larch beetle attacks, and the evidence is everywhere, says the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Trees killed by the beetles (which overwinter under the bark) are then attacked by food-seeking woodpeckers. The woodpeckers strip bark from the stems and large branches of the trees and leaves piles of bark beneath the trees. 

The eastern larch beetle is a native bark beetle. The adults are just over 1/8 inch long and they create small, 1/16 inch holes in the bark as they enter and exit the tree. During the summer small holes, lots of dark brown boring dust and copious resin flow indicate attack. Adult beetles emerge from the trees in the spring, seek out and bore into suitable live trees or fresh tamarack wind throws or logging slash.

There they construct galleries and lay eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs, feed in the inner bark and eventually pupate and change into new adults. Larvae feeding on the inner bark girdles and kills the trees.

The larch beetle is usually considered a secondary pest attacking stressed and recently cut trees. Flooding, drought, 

defoliation and old age have been associated with larch beetle attack. However, the larch beetle also appears to be able to develop widespread outbreaks and kill healthy trees. Native tamaracks and exotic larches are the only species of tree attacked by the larch beetle.

An outbreak of larch beetle has been occurring over the past seven years. Significant levels of mortality have occurred on over 65,000 acres of tamarack in Minnesota. No consistent stress factor contributing to the current mortality has been found, however the droughts in 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 have undoubtedly been involved. Damage levels vary from scattered individual trees, to 30 to 50 percent of trees in stands being killed. There are also a few instances where 75 to 80 percent of trees in stands have been killed.

Because Eastern larch beetles are currently so abundant and so widespread, attempts to control the beetle through management are unlikely to be successful. Salvage logging of stands with high mortality is recommended to use the wood.

Leaving 10 to 12 live Tamarack per acre as seed trees on harvest areas is still recommended, according to the DNR. These trees are likely to be quickly attacked by the beetle, but hopefully some will produce seeds before they are killed.

Fishing Fun at DEC'S Family Fishing Clinic at Carpenter Brook Fish Hatchery June 7

On Saturday, June 7, the New York DEC), Onondaga County Parks, and Friends of Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery will conduct a free Family Fishing Clinic at Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery located on Route 321 in Elbridge, Onondaga County. The clinic will consist of two separate instructional sessions presented by DEC staff and volunteers.

The first session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Each session will consist of five 15-minute breakout stations with instruction in: common fishing tackle and techniques, fish identification and biology, conservation and ethics, aquatic ecology, and fish preparation and cooking. During the second half of the session the group will divide their time between casting practice and fishing. Fishing rods, tackle, bait and educational materials will be provided.

Sign-up is by pre-registration only and is limited to 100 individuals per session (children under age 16 must be supervised). There is no cost for this program. For information or to pre-register contact the Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery at 315-689-9367, and remember to mention which session

you would like to attend. No fishing license is required during the event.

There are a number of other "Free Fishing Events" held throughout New York State. Free Fishing Events are DEC sponsored events (such as family fishing clinics) where participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology. Each of the DEC nine regions can sponsor up to four free fishing events per year. There are three other clinics planned in Region 7/Central New York this spring. They are being held in conjunction with various sporting organizations. The Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited partnered with DEC at Mill Run Park in Manlius on Saturday, May 17, for a free fishing clinic.

 On June 8, the Falcon Sportsmen Kid's Fishing Derby will be held at the Falcon Sportsmen Club in Auburn. The Broome County Sportsman's Kid's Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Nathanial Cole Park in Harpusville. For more info and to view a listing of other events statewide: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html  and be sure to check back periodically to see if additional events have been added.