Week of June 25, 2012

Beyond the Great Lakes
Misc New Fishing-Boating Products
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues
National

Regional

Illinois
Indiana
Minnesota
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Ontario
Other Breaking News Items

 

       Weekly News Archives

                         or

       New Product  Archives

Beyond the Great Lakes

Bass Pro Shops Coming To Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas--Bass Pro Shops has announced they will be part of the new 169-acre Gateway Town Center development in Little Rock which will also include an outlet mall, according to developer Tommy Hodges.  The location off Interstates 30 and 430 is the most highly traveled high profile intersection in the state. The store will attract tourists and travelers with its convenient location and will initially generate at least

250 jobs. Construction will start later this summer with the new 120,000 square foot store, expected to open in time for Christmas next year.  Bass Pro Shops was recently named by Advertising Age magazine as one of the Top 10 Hottest Brands in America along with name brands such as Old Spice, M&M�s, iPad and Droid.  Also, Bass Pro Shops has been recognized numerous times for their conservation and outdoor education efforts.


Citations issued for quagga contaminated boats

Arizona Game and Fish officers have recently issued citations to two individuals who brought quagga mussel contaminated boats to Lake Powell, and citations are pending in a third case.  Before leaving the vicinity of an aquatic invasive species listed water, such as Pleasant, Mead, Mohave or Havasu, the law requires that you:

Step 1: Clean and remove any clinging material such as

plants, animals and mud from anchor, boat, motor and trailer.

Step 2: Pull your plug and drain the water from the bilge, livewell and any other compartments that could hold water. Also be sure to drain the water from the engine and engine cooling system.
Step 3: Ensure your watercraft and equipment are allowed to dry completely and out of the water for a minimum of seven days
.

 


Misc New Fishing-Boating Products

Plano and Frabill join forces

Plano Molding Co. and Frabill Inc. have announced that they are joining forces, uniting two iconic fishing tackle brands that have been serving anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 70 years. The transaction, whereby Plano will acquire Frabill, brings together under one roof the worldwide leader.

Plano's acquisition of Frabill is described by Plano president and CEO Tom Hurt as "a perfect fit - like peanut butter and jelly." Frabill CEO Jeff Marble describes the merger as necessary to "accomplish the future growth objectives of the company."

 


Bass Tactics for HOT Weather Walleyes

Hot weather and walleyes don�t mix? Think again. A walleye is cold-blooded. Like other fish, their metabolism rises along with the water

temperature in summer, meaning they need to eat more, not less.

 

Conventional wisdom, all summer long, demands dragging leeches and minnows on Lindy rigs in deeper water for walleyes. Obviously, it

works. Hundreds of thousands of walleye enthusiasts can�t be wrong, especially since it�s still working after half a century.  But the walleyes conventional anglers target are seldom the most active fish around. Hard to convince people of this, but active walleyes are not on bottom in deeper water. They suspend with the baitfish, or prowl around on shallow reefs, weedbeds, shorelines, and points. With years of practice, some walleye anglers have become experts at feeding line and timing hooksets for finicky fish that hold minnows by the tail and regularly drop baits at the least sign of pressure. The only way to become expert at it is by missing a few thousand fish.

 

Wouldn�t you rather find walleyes that try to rip the rod out of your hands? The three primary attractions for active walleyes in summer are weeds, rocks, and suspended baitfish. Bass tactics will put you on active fish quicker and put more of them in the boat faster this summer.

 

Bass-Tactic Walleyes

Active walleyes can be approached like bass. Put the trolling motor down at the bow and move quickly to cover those shallow-water spots,

Few of the best walleye pros use bait between the beginning of July and the end of September. It�s not necessary. Walleyes in weeds rise right into the tops of cabbage, coontail, hydrilla, and milfoil, looking for small panfish, golden shiners, shad, and any other baitfish that swim by. Bait is a perpetual nuisance here, ripping free of hooks whenever a jig or lure needs to be popped off the weeds.

 

Almost any lure or package in the 3- to 5-inch range that can be worked between the weeds and the surface will take walleyes here. The crux is finding lures or speeds that touch the weeds without getting too involved. Rattle baits like the Cotton Cordell Super Spot and XCalibur Xr50, pitched on casting gear with 30-pound braid, are perfect because you can simply speed up or slow down as necessary to clip along through the weed tops. During warm, stable weather, walleyes crush rattle baits all through the day. No need to wait until evening.

 

Minnow-shaped cranks or stick baits are deadly for walleyes. Suspending baits are especially effective, using a basic pause-and-pull retrieve, but they often dig a little too deep to work over the tops of the weeds. Where weed tops are 5 feet or more below the surface, a Suspending

Smithwick Rogue or XCalibur XEE4 EEratic Shad worked with the rod tip held low will whack a lot of fish. Where weeds are 4 feet below the surface, retrieve with the rod tip held high or go with a floater-diver like the Bomber Long A and work it slow. When a floating minnow-bait makes contact with weeds, stop it, feed it a little slack and let it float up. Hard plastic baits like the Long A float up slow --

an enticing trigger for walleyes skulking around in nearby weed clumps.

 

Tackle should be fairly stout. Unlike fishing minnowbaits in open water, these baits need to be ripped free of weeds, and after a strike the challenge becomes turning a big walleye and moving it quickly toward the boat. Don�t offer any opportunities for a trophy to turn and burrow into the weeds. Medium-heavy spinning or casting rods coupled with 20- to 30-pound braided line accomplish it best. Braids won�t stretch, so the distance the rod tip moves is pretty much the same distance you move the fish.  Where the water is clear, tie on a 3- to 4-foot section of 12- to 17-pound fluorocarbon, and use a small barrel swivel or back-to-back uni knots.

 

Plastic Tactics

Weeds are basically ambush stations for walleyes. When they set up along the deep weed edge (a strategy often employed where perch populations are dense), approach them with slightly lighter tackle and soft plastics on jigs. Soft swimbaits like the 3.5-inch YUM Money Minnow swimming slowly by on a horizontal plane near bottom brings walleyes ripping out of pockets in the weedline.  

 

With the boat on the weed edge, make short pitches parallel to the weeds in the direction you�re moving and let the bait hit bottom. The right retrieve speed is critical, and tends to be easiest to achieve with a �-ounce jighead. After selecting the right head, speed becomes a matter of keeping it near bottom without dragging. If it drags, speed up. If it never touches bottom, slow down. This is a trophy-walleye tactic that will entice more than a few largemouth or smallmouth bass hanging around in the same areas doing the same thing. Be sure to fan cast a little toward deeper water and try walking the baits over the tops and down the deep edge of the weeds, too. The right tackle for a light swimbait like this is 10-pound mono on a fast, medium-power spinning rod.

 

A similar tactic with slightly lighter tackle absolutely smokes walleyes throughout the open-water season around rock reefs, rip-rap, and rocky shorelines. From spring through ice-up, in areas 8-feet deep or less, try pitching an auger-tail grub, like the YUM Walleye Grub, on a 3/32- to 1/8-ounce head with 6-pound mono. The optimum gear includes a fast, 7-foot, medium-light spinning rod. Just cast to the deep side of boulders, rock piles, or rip-rap, let the jig fall to bottom (or count it down to a spot near bottom where it�s really snaggy) and slowly retrieve with the rod tip held low. Don�t jig it, snap it or rip it. Just reel.

 

Hard baits, plastics, and bass tactics score massive numbers and trophies from mid summer though early fall, especially during stable-weather periods. Unconventional behavior can be disturbing, though. If it sounds too radical to have a walleye rip the rod out of your hands, don�t try any of this.

 

Lawrence Taylor is Public Relations Director, PRADCO Fishing (makers of Arbogast, Bomber, Cotton Cordell, Creek Chub, Heddon, Lazy Ike, Smithwick, XCalibur, and other fine brands)


Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues

Nikon INLINE XR Muzzleloading Riflescopes
Nikon�s INLINE XR series of muzzleloading riflescopes are designed to give an edge to anyone wanting to extend their season � or their range � with a muzzleloader.  The breakthrough INLINE XR riflescope technology makes 300-yard shots a reality for hunters shooting today�s increasingly accurate inline muzzleloaders. 
 
Featuring the patented BDC 300 reticle, the ultra compact INLINE XR 3-9x40 is available in matte, silver or Realtree� APG finish.  Five inches of eye relief throughout the magnification range allow the scope to be comfortably and 

safely mounted on even the hardest kicking muzzleloaders. 
 

It offers precision �-MOA adjustments, quick focus eyepiece and light transmission boosted up to 92% for dawn to dusk brightness.  The INLINE XR�s BDC 300 reticle can be fully optimized to match the drop of virtually any sabot load with Spot On� Ballistic Match Technology.  The Spot On program provides users with exact aiming points on the BDC reticle for any load or ammunition at a specified range.  Spot On can be purchased for iPhone and Android or tried out for free at nikonhunting.com/spoton.


About $ 229.95 � 249.95

 

800-645-6687.    www.nikonhunting.com.


Under Armour New Scent Control Hunting Collection

Baltimore, MD - - Do you see green? That's the question that will soon echo throughout the hunting world as Under Armour, the MD-based leader in sports performance apparel, footwear, and accessories, launches a hard-hitting campaign to promote its highly anticipated Under Armour Scent Control product collection. The exclusive Under Armour Scent Control technology allows hunters stay undetected in the field with an innovative scent control system that lasts ten times longer than commonly used carbon-based technologies.

 

In support of the product launch, the Under Armour Scent Control campaign will include a dynamic new commercial featuring top whitetail hunter and Under Armour Arsenal member, The Crush's Lee Lakosky. The :30 and :60 second commercial spots will broadcast on numerous top-rated hunting shows on the Outdoor, Sportsman, and Pursuit channels beginning tomorrow, June 15. Print advertisements featuring members of the Under Armour

Arsenal of elite hunters will appear in multiple publications throughout the summer preparation and fall/winter hunting seasons.

 

Under Armour will also engage consumers through a custom, interactive Facebook app that launches on June 15 and will allow UA Hunt fans the ability to upload their best hunting photo and give it the "Under Armour Scent Control treatment," turning the hunter's eyes a bright shade of velocity green, as featured in the commercial and print ads. Fans will also be eligible to win a dream hunt with a member of the UA Arsenal and receive head-to-toe Under Armour Scent Control gear.

 

The Under Armour Scent Control product collection will be available on UA.com and select outdoor and sporting goods retailers beginning in July. For more information on Under Armour Scent Control products and Under Armour's complete selection of performance apparel, footwear, and accessories, visit UA.com or www.alwayslethal.com


National

FBI: Crime falls again

According to the FBI�s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report released on June 11, the nation experienced a 4.0 % decrease in the number of violent crimes and a 0.8 % decline in the number of property crimes in 2011 when compared with data from 2010. The report is based on

information the FBI gathered from 14,009 law enforcement agencies that submitted six to 12 comparable months of data for  2010 and 2011.

 

The complete Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report is available exclusively at www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr.


Regional

Federal Court defends right to Keep and Bear Arms

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled last week that it is unconstitutional for Chicago to treat people with non-violent misdemeanor convictions the same as convicted felons.  The NRA-supported case, Gowder v. Chicago, involves plaintiff Shawn Gowder, who was convicted as a first-time offender for mere possession of a firearm in violation of Illinois law in 1995. His misdemeanor record did not block him from getting a state Firearm Owner's Identification card, so he could still legally possess a gun in Illinois.

Nonetheless, when Mr.  Gowder, who lives in a high crime area of Chicago, began the process to legally acquire a

handgun to keep in his home for self-defense (a process

required following the McDonald decision), the Chicago

police denied his application. Mr. Gowder sued the city, maintaining that Chicago's law banning non-violent misdemeanants from possessing guns in their homes for self-defense is unconstitutionally vague, and that it violates the Second Amendment.

 

Chicago�s gun law was passed just days after a 2010 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the city�s 28-year ban on handguns. City officials said they will look at the ruling and advise police on how to proceed with enforcement of the law, said Roderick Drew, a spokesman for the city�s Law Department.  �We are disappointed with the judge�s opinion," he said. "We are in the process of reviewing it now so we can determine next steps.�


Great Lakes Water Levels for June 22, 2012

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The Great Lakes basin experienced heavy precipitation this past week, especially the Lake Superior basin, which received almost 4 inches of rain since last weekend. Temperatures were hot this past week, with daytime highs in the mid to upper 90s. For the weekend, temperatures will begin to cool off back to seasonal averages. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible over the weekend but no heavy precipitation is expected.

LAKE LEVEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior's water level is 4 inches higher than last year's level, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 5 inches lower than its level of a year ago. Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 9, 13, and 15 inches, respectively, lower than their levels of a year ago. Over the next month, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are forecasted to rise 2 inches and 1 inch, respectively, from their current levels. And the water levels of Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are expected to fall 3, 3, and 2 inches, respectively, over the next thirty days.

FORECASTED MONTHLY OUTFLOWS/CHANNEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior's outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be below average for the month of June. Lake Huron's outflow into the St. Clair River and the outflow from Lake St. Clair into the Detroit River are

expected to be below average throughout the month of June. Lake Erie's outflow through the Niagara River is forecasted to be near average and the outflow of Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence River is predicted to be below average in June.

ALERTS

The water level of Lake Superior is now above chart datum. 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.

 

 

Superior

Mich-Huron

St. Clair

Erie

Ontario

Level for June 22

601.25

577.76

574.08

571.59

245.77

Datum, in ft

601.10

577.50

572.30

569.20

243.30

Diff in inches

+2

+3

+21

+29

+30

Diff last month

+7

+2

0

-2

0

Diff from last yr

+4

-5

-9

-13

-15


50,000 Fine for importing Live Asian Carp

TORONTO--A Toronto fish importing company and the company president have been fined a total of $50,000 for possessing live Asian Carp in Ontario.

 

Xionyin Trading Inc., of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $40,000. Xiong Wang of Markham, also pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $10,000. Additionally, 2,472 kilograms (5,450 lbs) of seized Bighead Carp valued at $3,270 was forfeited to the Crown. Charges against the second company representative are still before the court.

 

The court heard that on January 20, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward contacted the Ministry  

of Natural Resources to assist with the inspection of a truck hauling fish from the state of Arkansas into Ontario. Conservation officers

inspected the truck and located a substantial amount of live bighead carp in the truck and subsequently seized all the fish.

 

It has been illegal to possess live invasive fish including, Bighead, Grass, Black and Silver Carp in Ontario since 2005 because of the significant threat they pose to the province�s lake systems. As part of the ongoing efforts to protect Ontario�s environment from the importation of invasive species, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to monitor compliance with the legislation.

 

The Honourable Justice Deborah J. Austin heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, on June 22, 2012.


IJC invites comments on Upper Great Lakes report

The International Joint Commission (IJC) announced today that it is inviting public comment on the final report of its International Upper Great Lakes Study Board, Lake Superior Regulation: Addressing Uncertainty in Upper Great Lakes Water Levels. Comments will be accepted at public hearings and by mail, email and on-line until August 31, 2012.

 

The report examines whether the regulation of outflows from Lake Superior through the compensating works and power dams on the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie might be improved to take into consideration the evolving needs of users on Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan and Erie. The report also examines the potential future impacts of climate change, a management strategy to better anticipate and respond to future extreme water levels, the feasibility and implications of restoring water levels in lakes Michigan-Huron and multi-lake regulation and its impacts throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.  The report and related supporting documents and peer review are available at the Upper Great Lakes Public Hearings website.

 

 �We are asking people who live on the Great Lakes to tell us if the Study Board�s recommendations for managing water supplies on the Upper Great Lakes meet their needs or if other changes need be considered,� said Joe Comuzzi, chair of the IJC�s Canadian Section.

�Commissioners will carefully consider all concerns regarding the regulation of water levels in the Great Lakes before arriving at a decision that balances and suitably protects the interests of all,� said Lana Pollack, chair of the IJC�s U.S. Section.

 

Commissioners invite the public to present comments at hearings that will be held the following dates and locations:

Monday, July 9

Tuesday, July 10

Wednesday, July 11

Thursday, July 12

Sarnia, ON
7:00 pm EDT
Lambton College Rm A223
1457 London Rd.

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
7:00 pm EDT
Grosse Pointe War Memorial,
32 Lakeshore Dr

Port Clinton, OH
7:00 pm EDT
Sutton Center
1848 E. Perry St

Holland, MI
7:00 pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel
650 East 24th St

Thunder Bay, ON
7:00 pm EDT
Lakehead University, ATAC Room 1001, 955 Oliver Rd

Duluth, MN
6:00 pm CDT
Univ. of Minnesota Duluth
1049 University Dr

Fish Creek, WI
6:00 pm CDT
Door Community Auditorium
3926 Wisconsin Hwy 42  

Milwaukee, WI
6:00 pm CDT
U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
600 E. Greenfield Ave.

Saturday, July 14

Sunday, July 15

Monday, July 16

Tuesday, July 17

Sault Ste. Marie, ON
1:00 pm EDT
Algoma University
Great West Life Theatre, 1520 Queen Street E

Little Current, ON
1:00 pm EDT
Northeast Manitoulin and the Islands Recreation Center
9001 Hwy-6 S

Parry Sound, ON
2:00 pm EDT
Bobby Orr Community Centre
7-17 Marry Street
Midland, ON
7:00 pm EDT
527 Len Self Boulevard

Collingwood, ON
1:00 pm EDT
Cranberry Resort
19 Keith Ave, RR#4

Video conference technology will be used to link the hearings scheduled from July 9 � 12 and to allow the participation of some commissioners from other locations.

 

Two teleconferences will be held for those people who are not able to attend the meetings. One will be held in English and the other in French. Details of the teleconferences will be provided in a subsequent news release.

Written comments may be submitted to the IJC for receipt by August 31, 2012 from the Upper Great Lakes Public Hearings website or to either address below:

U. S. Section Secretary

Canadian Section Secretary

International Joint Commission
200 L Street NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20440
Fax: 202-632-2006
[email protected]

International Joint Commission
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6
Fax: 613-993-5583
[email protected]

 

Technical questions should be sent in writing to the Commission if a detailed response is expected.

 

Contacts:

Ottawa Bernard Beckhoff                

613) 947-1420

Washington Frank Bevacqua          

(202) 736-9024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


More Asian carp DNA found near Lake Michigan

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it has again has found genetic material from Asian carp in samples taken from waters near Lake Michigan.

 

The first round of eDNA sampling in 2012 was collected on May 22nd. Samples were collected from Lake Calumet and Little Calumet River. The monitoring results included 17 positives for silver carp (14 from Lake Calumet, 3 from Little Calumet River). Zero positives for bighead carp were found.

 

The ACRCC Monitoring and Rapid Response Plan calls for a response action after three consecutive eDNA sample sets return positive hits from

one location. However, as an extra precaution the Monitoring and Rapid Response Work Group organized a Level 1 rapid response for Lake

Calumet that took place June 12th-13th. This response included three electrofishing boats and crews, as well as two contracted commercial netting crews, with Illinois DNR biologists on board, sampling for Asian carp in the area where the positive results were found.

 

Prior to this monitoring action, a second round of eDNA samples was collected from the area on June 11th, with the next regularly scheduled eDNA sampling occurring on June 25th. Dozens of water samples taken beyond the barrier in recent years have contained Asian carp DNA, although just one actual carp has been found there.


Illinois

Asian Carp Sampling Summary, June 11

Monitoring occurred in the CAWS and upper Illinois Waterway upstream and downstream of the Dispersal Barrier. NO BIGHEAD OR SILVER CARP were reported captured or observed upstream of the Barrier, nor were any found in new locations downstream of the Barrier. Sampling for the Lake Calumet level-1 response resulted in no bighead or silver carp captured or seen.

 

eDNA Calibration Project (ECALS)

Crews from USACE with support from USEPA, MWRDGC and the City of Chicago initiated a storm sewer experiment on the South Branch of the Chicago River near Cermak Road, as part of the alternative vectors analysis portion of the ECALS Project. Final sampling for the experiment will take place the week of June 25. A second experiment assessing alternative eDNA sampling methodologies (grab, sieve, and centrifugation samples) was completed in a backwater of the Illinois River near Morris, Illinois. Results of both experiments will be forthcoming after eDNA samples have been processed and analyzed.

 

eDNA Monitoring Project

A crew from USFWS � La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office obtained 60 water samples for eDNA analysis from the North Shore Channel and another 45 samples from Lake Calumet on Monday, May 22. The Lake Calumet samples were taken in place of regularly scheduled sampling in the South Branch Chicago River in support of the Lake Calumet level-1 response. Samples were filtered at the USEPA lab in Chicago and forwarded to ERDC in Vicksburg, MS for analysis. Results of eDNA analysis will be reported on the USACE web site listed below as they become available.

Crews from USFWS � La Crosse FWCO completed 30 15-minute electrofishing runs at five fixed sites (7.5 hours total) and 10 15-minutes runs at randomly selected locations in the four random site areas upstream of the Dispersal Barrier (2.5 hours total). In addition, two contracted commercial fishing crews and assisting IDNR biologists set 3.1 miles of net (27 sets) at the five fixed sites and 2.2 miles of net (19 sets) at random sites upstream of the Barrier. No bighead or silver carp were reported captured or seen above the Barrier.

 

Additional Netting Downstream of the Dispersal Barrier

Two contracted commercial fishing crews and assisting IDNR biologists set 1.0 miles of net (9 sets) in Dresden Island Pool. No Asian carp were captured in new locations downstream of the Barrier.

 

Fish Behavior Study at the Barrier

Crews from USFWS-Carterville and Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation offices recorded behavior of common carp and freshwater held in a cage alongside a boat passing through the Demo Barrier and a control site in the CSSC away from the barrier. A total of 9 passes were made through the barrier and 2 passes were made through the control site.

 

Distribution of Small Asian Carp Study

A crew from the USFWS Carterville Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office completed 31 electrofishing transects (7.75 hours) in the Starved Rock, Marseilles, and Dresden Island pool of the upper Illinois Waterway. No small Asian carp were captured.

 


Indiana

New Gander Mountain Store Coming To Lafayette, IN

Outdoors retailer adds sixth Indiana store and 118th nationwide

ST. PAUL, MN--- Gander Mountain, the nation�s leading firearms retailer and operator of the largest retail network of stores specializing in firearms, hunting, fishing, camping, marine, outdoor lifestyle and active performance products, announced today that in addition to great camping, fishing, hunting and hiking, outdoors enthusiasts in northwest Indiana have one more great attraction coming to the region. Construction activity has begun on the state�s sixth Gander Mountain retail store, which is expected to open in fall 2012.

 

The 50,000 sq ft store will be located in the Lafayette Pavilions Shopping Center, near the intersection of Highway 26 and Creasy Lane.

 

�We�re excited to bring Gander Mountain�s thousands of products and great customer service to folks in Lafayette and the surrounding region,� said David Pratt, CEO of Gander Mountain. �Our new neighbors� passion for the outdoors and active performance living will be a perfect match with our �We Live Outdoors� culture.�

 

The new Gander Mountain store will feature one of the largest selections of new and used firearms in Indiana, together with the best selection of gear and accessories for hunting, fishing, camping, boating and archery. The store will offer an extensive selection of men�s and women�s active performance outdoor and casual apparel featuring exciting brands like The North Face, Columbia, Under Armour, GSX, Mountain Hardwear, Carhartt, KAVU, Marmot and K�hl, and a wide variety of men�s and women�s active footwear featuring brands like Merrell, Rocky, Keen, Irish Setter, Teva, New Balance, Brooks, Patagonia, Timberland, LaCrosse, Itasca,

Saucony and Salomon.

 

Additional details on special events, activities and promotions that will be a part of the new Lafayette store grand opening celebration will be available this summer at www.GanderMountain.com. Lafayette is the fourth announced location in a seven-store 2012 expansion. New Gander Mountain stores have previously been announced for Valdosta, Ga., Morrisville, N.C. and Florence, Ala., with other new store locations to be announced soon.

 

Interested in a career with Gander Mountain? Explore opportunities and submit an application at www.GanderMountain.com/careers.

 

About Gander Mountain Company

Gander Mountain Company headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., is the nation�s largest retail network of outdoor specialty stores for firearms, hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle products and services. Since 1960, Gander Mountain has offered the best selection of outdoor equipment, technical apparel, active casual wear, and footwear featuring national, regional and specialty brands at competitive prices. Focused on a �We Live Outdoors�� culture, Gander Mountain dedicates itself to creating outdoor memories.  There are currently 114 conveniently located Gander Mountain outdoor lifestyle stores in 23 states.  For the nearest store location call 800-282-5993 or visit www.GanderMountain.com .  Gander Mountain is also the parent company of Overton�s (www.Overtons.com), a leading catalog and Internet based retailer of products for boating and other water sports enthusiasts.


Minnesota

MN DNR says aquatic invasive species violation rates are unacceptable
The Minnesota DNR has released some initial statistics from its increased aquatic invasive species (AIS) patrol efforts.

 

So far this year, the AIS violation rate among boaters is 20 percent. "This rate is unacceptable," said Maj. Phil Meier, DNR Enforcement Division operations manager. "The majority of violations could have been avoided if people had taken the time to change their routine when leaving lakes and rivers, and comply with AIS laws."   The extra patrols began May 12 and will continue through the summer.

 

"Enforcement activities, whether educational opportunities or issuing citations and warnings, are geared towards compliance," said Meier. "Enforcement is a primary motivator to changing the behavior of those who may intentionally or unintentionally move invasive species." 

Through June 6, conservation officers had worked nearly 3,200 hours dedicated to AIS enforcement, making more than 20,000 combined law and education contacts. During this time, 193 criminal citations, 463 civil citations, 975 written warnings and 267 verbal warnings were issued.

Last year about 850 citations or warnings were issued to violators of Minnesota's AIS laws. That compares with 293 citations and warnings issued in 2010.  "We hope these citations, warnings and public contacts will continue to raise awareness that this state looks at invasive species very seriously," Meier said. "We will enforce the rules."

 

Under Minnesota law, it is illegal to transport invasive aquatic plants and animals, as well as water, from water bodies infested with zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas. Violators could face fines up to $500. Some penalty amounts will double beginning July 1.

 

 


New York

NY record Brook Trout

For the seventh time in eight years, the record for catching the largest brook trout in New York state has been broken. William Altman caught a 5 lb. 14 oz. brook trout from the West Canada Wilderness Area in Hamilton County on May 5.

 

The record breaking fish was stocked as a fingerling by DEC�s Rome Fish

 

Hatchery and is considered a Temiscamie hybrid, a cross between a domestic brook trout and a wild Temiscamie (Canadian-strain) brook trout. These hybrids are stocked because they have a better survival rate than other strains of brook trout in some of the more acidic waters of the Adirondacks.

 


 

Breeding Female Sturgeon found in Oneida system

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and its collaborative partners achieved a long-awaited milestone in their efforts to restore lake sturgeon in the Oneida Lake system, the agency announced today.  In April a researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey�s Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences discovered two female lake sturgeon carrying eggs downstream of Oneida Lake. The fish, stocked in Oneida Lake by DEC in 1995 as part of an effort to improve threatened lake sturgeon populations, were the first mature females found since the state restoration work began nearly 20 years ago.

 

�This is a truly significant event,� said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. �It is a great example of how, with good science, we can restore a species that nearly disappeared from our state.  As part of the state�s restoration program, DEC relies on information we get from anglers as well as sampling by our own staff and partners like USGS and Cornell University to help make intelligent decisions about managing New York�s fish populations.�

 

Jim Johnson, Director of the USGS Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences, said, �U.S. Geological Survey staff fulfills its scientific mission by partnering with states in restoration work like this. We are thrilled to be reporting this milestone.�

 

Equally rewarding was the capture of another egg-bearing female upstream of Black Lake in St. Lawrence County also this past spring. Restoring this species requires patience, since females take 16 to 25 years to mature and breed only an average of once every four years. Male sturgeon take 8 to 16 years to mature and have been caught in Oneida Lake for several years.

 

Lake sturgeon are the largest fish native to the Great Lakes and can grow up to seven feet in length and may weigh more than 300 pounds. Once abundant throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain, overfishing and the impacts of dams and dredging nearly drove them to extinction by the turn of the 20th century. Sturgeon harvesting, primarily for caviar, peaked in 1885 when more than five tons of sturgeon were taken from Lake Erie alone.

 

Scientists estimate that sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes area are at about one percent of their pre-1850 numbers. DEC has actively worked with federal and university partners to protect and restore lake sturgeon throughout New York. DEC raised and released lake sturgeon from 1995 to 2006. In 1995, nearly 18,000 sturgeon were released into Oneida, Cayuga and Black lakes and the Oswegatchie River.

 

In addition to stocked fish, some natural recovery has been observed across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, where in 2009 lake sturgeon began using spawning beds created by the New York Power Authority.

 

Anglers across the state have submitted reports of adult sturgeon, including sightings of sturgeon leaping completely out of the water in Fish Creek near Sylvan Beach, a tributary of Oneida Lake. The reports of males in spawning areas coupled with the capture of the mature females gives DEC biologists hope that the sturgeon are successfully spawning. Any young sturgeon produced this spring should be large enough to be caught in nets set by scientists in a few years.

 

For more information on New York�s sturgeon, visit the Fisheries page on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7025.html.


NY charges Canadian fish smuggler for exporting Invasive Species

NY announces International charges against Canadian Fish Smuggler for illegally exporting Invasive Species into U.S.

Joint International Investigation Into Illegal Smuggling Of Invasive And Endangered Species Leads To Toronto Pet Dealer Charged With Felony Illegal Commercialization of Wildlife

AMHERST � NY Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the filing of felony charges in the Town of Amherst Court against Muk Leung "Jim" Ip, a Canadian-based pet dealer whose operation smuggled and exported invasive and endangered species into the United States.

 

Ip, age 49 from Scarborough, Ontario, is charged with two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Illegal Commercialization of Fish, Shellfish, Crustaceans, and Wildlife for selling the invasive species, Snakeheads, and the endangered and protected fish species, Arowanas, as well as a protected amphibian, Axolotls. The charges resulted from a cross-border undercover investigation into the illegal trafficking from Ontario, Canada into New York.  

 

According to the Attorney General's felony complaint, an agent of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service engaged in an undercover operation during which Ip, an employee with the Lucky Aquarium located in Markham, Ontario, sold over $1,500 worth of Arowanas, knowing the endangered fish would be illegally transported to New York.

 

The investigation also revealed that Ip caused the sale of over $1,500 of Snakeheads to the same undercover agent, knowing that the highly invasive species would be illegally transported to New York. These crimes are classified as E felonies under the New York State Environment and Conservation Law and carry a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

 

Ip also caused the sale of the protected species, Axolotls to the same agent, knowing that the amphibian would be illegally transported to New York. This crime is classified as a misdemeanor and carries up to one year imprisonment and a mandatory $5,000 fine. Ip also faces charges in the U.S. Federal Court and in Canada.

 

Snakeheads are highly invasive and have the potential to disrupt recreational fishing, harm native fish and wildlife, and impact our economy. New York State prohibits the possession, sale and live transport of Snakehead fish. Importation and interstate transport of Snakeheads is prohibited under the federal Lacey Act. Northern snakeheads are dangerous predators capable of growing to at least three feet long and surviving throughout the continental United States in a variety of habitats. With teeth similar to pike and walleye fish, they are superb predators and they feed voraciously.

 

The Asian Arowana � commonly called �dragon fish� or �lucky fish� � is

native to Southeast Asia and can grow to up to three feet in length. Under the Endangered Species Act and international treaties, permits are required to export endangered or protected species from their country of origin, as well as import them into the United States. The permitting system is designed to protect species by preventing the creation of black markets for them in the United States and elsewhere. In the United States, Asian Arowanas can sell on the black market for thousands of dollars.

 

Axolotls originate from Mexico. They are unique in that the larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs. As of 2010, wild Axolotls are near extinction due to urbanization in Mexico City and polluted waters.

 

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens said, �International smuggling of invasive and endangered species in to New York State is a major concern to the health of our natural ecosystems. If released into the wild, the species targeted in this undercover operation could have caused significant environmental damage to our native species. Since smugglers do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, it is only through cooperative efforts involving partnering law enforcement and conservation agencies that we can enforce wildlife laws across national and international borders to protect our ecosystems.�

 

"We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for cracking down on illegally smuggled invasive species like the northern snakehead that clearly have no place in the Great Lakes ecosystem," said Jennifer Nalbone, Director of Navigation and Invasive Species for Great Lakes United. "This effort provides further evidence that law enforcement and preventative policies are critical to keeping these harmful invasive species away from our shores."

 

"Throughout the country, invasive species are inflicting serious damage in waters where they simply do not belong," said Katy Dunlap, Eastern Water Project Director for Trout Unlimited. "Not only are they harming existing fisheries, but they're cutting into fishing opportunities and doing long-term, irreparable harm to the environment. We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for enforcing New York's strict laws against allowing exotic and invasive fish into the state, and for recognizing the importance of protecting America's waters from further damage."

 

The charges are the result of a joint international investigation into the illegal trade between Canada and the United States of invasive species and species at risk. The multi-agency investigation was conducted by officers from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Attorney General thanks all of the investigative agencies for their assistance with this case.


Ohio

Help Protect Ohio's Great Fishing Resources

Report fishing violations to the 'Turn In a Poacher' hotline

COLUMBUS, OH � Anglers throughout the state can do their part to protect Ohio�s high quality fishing by reporting fishing violations they observe to the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) hotline at 800-POACHER or online at ohiotip.com, according to the Ohio DNR.

 

Each year, the TIP hotline receives approximately 4,800 calls from concerned citizens reporting violations involving the poaching, or illegal taking, of fish and game, trespassing, commercialization of wildlife and the over-harvesting of fish and game. Since its inception in 1982, more than 3,000 convictions have been made using information from the hotline. While the majority of TIP reports are received during the hunting seasons, anglers should remember that the TIP hotline is available year-round.

 

 �Double-tripping, keeping fish over the daily bag limit and snagging

walleye and other species of game fish are serious violations of the law,� said Ron Ollis, law enforcement program administrator for the Division of Wildlife. �Ohio's state wildlife officers rely on law-abiding anglers to be our eyes on the water, and we request that people report any suspicious activity that they observe.�

 

Anglers are reminded not to approach anyone committing a wildlife violation. Instead, take note of the violation, date, time, location and the license plates of any vehicles in the vicinity. Call 800-POACHER or go online to www.ohiotip.com to report the information. All reports are confidential and can remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward.

 

The TIP hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

 


Pennsylvania

Increasing Opportunities While Decreasing Risk

Jamestown, PA- Finding fish in Ohio's larger reservoirs can be tough. Not only must anglers pin point areas where the fish might be biting, but they also must realize how far they are away from the nearest launch in case of problems. This is especially true on Pymatuning Reservoir (Ashtabula County), where there are 14,000+ acres of fishable water for anglers to enjoy. So where can an angler go to find fish and still be cautious given the conditions?

This past week, the Ohio Division of Wildlife teamed up with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pymatuning Lake Association, Ohio State Parks, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to place structure into Ohio's largest inland lake. "Both the wooden cribs and the rock reefs were placed within a quarter mile of the nearest ramp," said Matt Wolfe, fisheries biologist who oversees this project for the Division of Wildlife. "Anglers can get out there quickly, find the structures that will be holding fish, and benefit from this tremendous partnership between the state agencies," added Wolfe.

Rock reefs and wooden cribs were placed just offshore of the Snodgrass Boat Launch. The wooden cribs were placed in about six to 10-feet of water from N 41o 32' 50.5" / W80o 29' 51.8" to N 41o 32' 48.1" / W80o 29' 52.6". Rock reefs were placed in about five to eight feet with the center located at N 41o 32' 41.0" / W80o 29' 45.2". The map datum on your GPS unit should be set at NAD 83 to find the structures and the coordinates provided are in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Anglers from both states may launch their boats from the Snodgrass Ramp, which is located on the Pennsylvania side of the lake. Please be aware of the reciprocal fishing regulations that are in effect on Pymatuning.

The goal of this project is to introduce structures into the waters of Northeastern Ohio in order to recruit the next generation of anglers and retain the anglers who already enjoy the sport of fishing. A downloadable Google Earth file containing all of the structure placements throughout Northeast Ohio is available by contacting the Wildlife District Three office at (330) 644-2293.


Ontario

$50,000 Fine for importing Live Asian Carp

TORONTO--A Toronto fish importing company and the company president have been fined a total of $50,000 for possessing live Asian Carp in Ontario.

 

Xionyin Trading Inc., of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $40,000. Xiong Wang of Markham, also pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $10,000. Additionally, 2,472 kilograms (5,450 lbs) of seized Bighead Carp valued at $3,270 was forfeited to the Crown. Charges against the second company representative are still before the court.

 

The court heard that on January 20, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward contacted the Ministry

of Natural Resources to assist with the inspection of a truck hauling fish

from the state of Arkansas into Ontario. Conservation officers inspected the truck and located a substantial amount of live bighead carp in the truck and subsequently seized all the fish.

 

It has been illegal to possess live invasive fish including, Bighead, Grass, Black and Silver Carp in Ontario since 2005 because of the significant threat they pose to the province�s lake systems. As part of the ongoing efforts to protect Ontario�s environment from the importation of invasive species, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to monitor compliance with the legislation.

 

The Honourable Justice Deborah J. Austin heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, on June 22, 2012.


Other Breaking News Items

(Click on title or URL to read full article)

 

DNA Evidence of Asian Carp above electric barrier grows

Some 2,378 water samples taken in 2011 in the canal system above the electric barrier, and a total of 34 samples were positive. This year, after just one day of sampling the waters above the barrier, the Army Corps reports it landed 17 positive results from 114 water samples; the percentage of samples that tested positive for Asian carp DNA last year was about 1.5%. This year, so far, it has jumped to almost 15%.

 

More Asian carp DNA found near Lake Michigan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it has again found genetic material from invasive Asian carp in samples taken from waters near Lake Michigan.

 

Groups putting nine fish spawning reefs in St. Clair River

Construction has started on a $1.1 million project to build nine rock reefs in the St. Clair River.  The reefs will help boost spawning of sturgeon and other rare native fish by providing havens for breeding.

 

 

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