Weekly News

Week of October 22, 2012

Fishing beyond the Great Lakes

Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues

Other Breaking News Items

Bundle is a new license option for deer hunters

The bundle license can be used in just one or multiple seasons, including youth, archery, firearms, muzzleloader, and special antlerless

seasons. The bundle allows the harvest of one antlered and two antlerless deer, total. Read more

New deer rules

The most significant rule changes include:

ï¿½ A special antlerless deer firearms season will be offered beginning in late December in designated counties.
ï¿½ Hunters can use a crossbow during archery season.
ï¿½ Early archery season and late archery season have been merged into a continuous archery season.

ï¿½ Youth hunters can now harvest more than one deer during youth season.
ï¿½ An ï¿½earn-a-buckï¿½ requirement for hunters working toward urban deer zone bag limits has been made.
ï¿½ A new deer license bundle is offered.

Read the rest of the changes

NRC honors Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fisherman, Inc.
with Partners in Conservation Award

Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fisherman, Inc., of Delta County, received a Partners in Conservation Award from the Michigan Natural Resources Commission at the commissionï¿½s annual Upper Peninsula meeting in Ontonagon on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Partners in Conservation Awards are presented to organizations or individuals nominated for their outstanding contributions to natural resources management or initiatives in Michigan. When presenting the award, DNR Director Keith Creagh noted the dedication of Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fisherman to improving the fishery in Lake Michigan and Upper Peninsula waters, and to providing opportunities to introduce youth to the sport of fishing.

The club members contribute to eight such events each year, including a Kids Fishing Day that annually attracts between 200-300 participants. The club also spends hundreds of hours per year assisting in operation of a DNR walleye rearing pond and working to deter avian predators from fish

stocking sites.

ï¿½The members of Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fisherman have a long history of partnering with the DNR to assist in on-the-ground fisheries management work, while working cooperatively with Fisheries Division staff to develop improved management strategies,ï¿½ Creagh said. ï¿½This work has not only enhanced local fishing opportunities, but has served to benefit the economy and quality of life in the Upper Peninsula as well.ï¿½

In addition to hosting a number of fishing derbies and volunteering time to assist Fisheries Division in the field, the club members are involved in philanthropic work. The group coordinates a Special Olympics fishing event at the DNRï¿½s Upper Peninsula Pocket Park each year, and also funds two scholarships for local students.

For more information about the Natural Resources Commission visit www.michigan.gov/nrc. To learn more about Great Lakes Sport Fisherman, Inc. visit the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Councilï¿½s website, www.great-lakes.org/mi/bay-de-noc.html.

New Great Lakes Muskie record

State record Muskie confirmed by the Michigan DNR

The new record comes courtesy of a Great Lakes muskellunge caught on Saturday, October 13 by Joseph Seeberger on Lake Bellaire in Antrim County. The fish weighed 58 lbs, measured 59" long and had a girth of 29".

Seeberger, of Portage, was actually bass fishing with a minnow at the time when he caught the fish. It took nearly two hours to land and required the help of two friends. The record was verified by Patrick Hanchin, a DNR fisheries biologist at the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station and Conservation Officer Steve Speigl. The previous state record Great Lakes muskellunge was caught by Kyle Anderson of Rapid City on Torch Lake

in Antrim County on September 27, 2009. That fish weighed 50.5 lbs and measured 56.13".

For more information on state records in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

Joseph Seeberger (center), his fishing companions and the state record Great Lakes muskellunge

Vandalism likely the cause of 5,700 Coho salmon deaths
at Platte River State Fish Hatchery
On the morning of Friday, Oct. 5, DNR employees at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Beulah, Mich., arrived for work to find 5,700 Coho salmon dead in one of the maturation ponds at the Upper Weir. While under investigation, all signs indicate the loss was from a late Thursday night vandalism act, as it appears the fish were forcibly crowded into a small area which blocked water flow through the screens and created conditions in which the dissolved oxygen concentrations became lethal.

ï¿½This is the first time in 45 years where we have had this type of incident at this facility,ï¿½ said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. ï¿½It could have put our entire Coho salmon program in serious jeopardy. The loss of this program would cost the state economy millions of dollars in revenue. We were exceptionally fortunate to have an above average Coho salmon

spawning run this year and will still have enough adults to fully meet our Coho salmon egg take needs.ï¿½

All of the dead Coho salmon, which included 5,130 adult and 570 small jacks (yearlings), were salvaged by the American-Canadian Fisheries Inc., the contractor for the surplus salmon carcasses from DNR salmon weirs that are used in the fish meal industry. Additional security measures have been put in place to protect the remaining fish at this key egg take facility.

ï¿½We would appreciate any information on this incident to assist us with our investigation. This information can be provided to any conservation officer or to the RAP hotline at 1-800-292-7800,ï¿½ said Edward Eisch, Northern Lower Peninsula fish production manager.

DNR proposes new trout stream category in U.P.
The Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Division has proposed to establish a new trout stream category. Currently, there are four categories of trout streams; this proposed additional category is referred to as a Type 5 trout stream. This effort is in response to requests from anglers to increase the daily possession limit on brook trout across the Upper Peninsula.

On Type 5 stream segments, the daily possession limit for brook trout would be 10 fish and the minimum size limit would be 7 inches. All or portions of 10 Upper Peninsula rivers and tributary streams are being proposed for the Type 5 category and have been selected from existing Type 1 streams (which have a daily possession limit of five fish and 7-inch minimum size limit).

Streams with waters included in the proposal are: Bryan Creek (Marquette and Dickinson counties), Dead River (Marquette County), Driggs River (Schoolcraft County), East Branch Ontonagon River (Houghton and Iron counties), East Branch Tahquamenon River (Chippewa County), Ford River (Dickinson and Iron counties), North Branch Otter River (Houghton County), Rock River (Alger County), Upper Tahquamenon River (Luce County) and West Branch Huron River (Baraga

County).

Proposed Type 5 streams would constitute 6 percent of the current Type 1 stream mileage. If approved in November by the DNR director, then the proposed regulation would go into effect on April 1, 2013. During the next several years, Fisheries Division will work with a variety of partners to assess the biological effects of the possession limit increase on the brook trout populations in Type 5 streams.

No proposed streams in the Type 5 category are accessible to brook trout from the Great Lakes. In recent years, rehabilitation of lake-run brook trout populations has attracted considerable interest among resource agencies, conservation groups and anglers, and a variety of measures have been taken to protect these populations. These ï¿½coasterï¿½ brook trout are a life history variant and are not a genetically distinct strain or sub-species. The DNR also will be proposing future work in this area of brook trout management.

Maps and written descriptions of the upstream (where applicable) and downstream boundaries for the proposed Type 5 regulation are available at www.michigan.gov/fishing.

Michigan Lake Maps help find fish

Are you looking for great places to go fishing? Michigan boasts more than 11,000 inland lakes. Now you can access 2,700 inland lake maps online. Go to their web site below and click on a county for a list of inland lakes in that county. The Michigan DNR makes every effort to provide useful and accurate information. It does not warrant the information to be completely representative of current conditions. Counties displayed with an orange

crosshatch do not have maps available. To access maps: www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_31431_32340---,00.html.

Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations Maps are also available to assist you in locating trout & salmon waters- - and the related regulations that apply: www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_52261_52262-211883--,00.html

Pure Michigan Hunt winner harvests elk of a lifetime
Dan Beaudoin of Waterford, Mich., recently had a Sunday morning he will never forget. ï¿½My heart was pounding! Iï¿½m a big guy and my guide had me running, so I was breathing hard,ï¿½ said the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt winner.

Recently, Beaudoin harvested an enormous 6x6 bull elk during the second elk hunt period with the help of his guide, Kevin Johnson of Big Boys Adventures in Gaylord, Mich.

ï¿½My guide said the elk had a whale tail; I didnï¿½t even know what that was!ï¿½ said Beaudoin. Although the bull has yet to be officially scored, everyone has a guess for the record book, according to Beaudoin.

Beaudoin is one of three winners of the Department of Natural Resources' Pure Michigan Hunt program. Each winner received all 2012 limited licenses and the ultimate hunterï¿½s prize package from Michigan companies and organizations. Beaudoin purchased a $4 Pure Michigan Hunt application last year, and found out in January of 2012 he was one of the winners.

Pure Michigan Hunt applications for the 2013 season are available for $4 at any license agent or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. There is no limit to the number of applications hunters may buy now through Dec. 31. Three winners will be announced in February 2013.

The 2013 prize package includes licenses for elk, bear, spring and fall

turkey, and antlerless deer; first pick at a managed waterfowl area, and the following prizes:

2012 Darton crossbow package
30.06 rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
12 GA shotgun from the Lake Effect Chapter of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association
Camo ground blind from Ameristep
Guided spring turkey hunt from East Lake Outfitters
Sitka camo clothing from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Camo vest, custom box call and patch from National Wild Turkey Federation
Rapid River knife, duck decoy and membership from Ducks Unlimited
Herd monitoring kit and membership from Quality Deer Management Association
National and local memberships from Safari Club International
Sweatshirt and hat from the Southwest Lake Erie Chapter of Waterfowl USA

As a Pure Michigan Hunt winner, Beaudoin also got the first pick at a managed waterfowl area hunt, bringing along a hunting companion to share the experience. ï¿½I hunted waterfowl at Fish Point Managed Waterfowl Area,ï¿½ said Beaudoin, ï¿½I took along one of my oldest friends and the guy who actually got me into duck hunting years ago.ï¿½

To learn more about the Pure Michigan Hunt, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt

New law gives disabled vets free hunting and fishing licenses Begins March 2013

The Michigan DNR announced that new, free hunting and fishing licenses will be available for disabled veterans beginning in March.

House Bill 5292, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder earlier this week, will allow a disabled veteran to obtain any resident hunting or fishing license for which a lottery is not required, free of charge. The veteran will be required to provide proof of eligibility and carry this proof when using any license obtained under this legislation. Under provisions of the law, the new licenses become available at the beginning of the next license year, which is March 1, 2013. The licenses cannot be obtained before that date.

The law defines ï¿½disabled veteranï¿½ as a resident who either:

has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veteransï¿½ benefits at the 100-percent rate, for a disability other than blindness; or

is rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

ï¿½Providing free licenses for disabled veterans is just a small token of our deep gratitude for their sacrifice for all of us,ï¿½ said Denise Gruben, manager of licensing and reservations for the DNR. ï¿½We want veterans to be full participants in outdoor sports. Weï¿½re pleased to make these licenses available to qualifying veterans beginning next March under this new law.ï¿½

For more information about Michigan hunting and fishing licenses, visit www.mdnr-elicense.com

Recreational netting limited to one net
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding recreational netters that netting for whitefish-tullibee on authorized lakes is restricted to one net. A rule change prohibits the use of two nets. Minnesota law also restricts the size of the net and its openings; requires that netting be

done in water not deeper than six feet unless specifically authorized; stipulates that netted fish cannot be sold; requires that only rough fish caught in the net may be kept; limits net size to 100 feet long and 3 feet wide; and forbids recreational netters from possessing angling equipment when netting whitefish-tullibee.

DNR & Roseau County to hold NW Region land sale Nov. 9
The Minnesota DNR and Roseau County will be holding the first Northwest Region joint land sale on Nov. 9, at the Roseau County Courthouse located at 606 5th Ave. SW in Roseau. Bidder registration will begin at 12:30 p.m.

The joint sale is part of a collaborative effort between Roseau County and the DNR that began in 2009. The DNR initiated discussions on land parcels with the goal of identifying potential land exchanges, sales and acquisitions of state-owned lands and lands owned by Roseau County.

ï¿½The DNRï¿½s objective is to make strategic land acquisition decisions and determine where an exchange, sale or purchase is appropriate and in the best interest of the public and the stateï¿½s natural resources,ï¿½ said Lori Dowling, DNR Northwest Region director.

The sale is being held within the county to maximize efficiency of selling state-owned property, where the land exists, in conjunction with selling county-owned property.

Both sales will occur during the regular rifle deer season so out of town hunters and local residents have the opportunity to bid on the parcels.

ï¿½This sale is an excellent example of how the state, counties and the public can mutually benefit through partnerships that aim to address land consolidation and ownership issues,ï¿½ said Tom Landwehr, DNR commissioner. ï¿½Our work with Roseau County over the past few years has

deepened our understanding of what the counties need with regards to land asset management and we believe we can do more together than apart.ï¿½

Both the county and the DNR are committed to continued discussions about the lands they each manage and the opportunities for lands to be exchanged, sold or acquired that will benefit both parties. The DNR will fulfill its commitment to practice precision conservation. The agency will continue to acquire and hold lands that address the strategic needs for natural resource management.

ï¿½There is a spirit of cooperation between the DNR and Roseau County that hasnï¿½t necessarily existed in recent years,ï¿½ said Jack Swanson, Roseau County commissioner.

Swanson added that the county and the DNR are excited about this sale and hope that public interest is high and all properties are sold.

The auction of state-owned lands will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the county lands at 2 p.m. The state lands for sale include eight parcels in Roseau County totaling 328 acres. Seven of the eight parcels are State Trust Land and the proceeds will go to the School Trust Fund. Two additional properties, one in Beltrami County and one in Hubbard County, will also be sold at this auction. County lands to be auctioned include 11 parcels of which eight are in city limits and three are in Lake Township.

For more info: www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/landsale.

Marine ï¿½No Discharge Zonesï¿½ For Lake Erie And St. Lawrence River

State Requests ï¿½No Dischargeï¿½ designation from EPA

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in collaboration with the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the Department of State (DOS), has submitted petitions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate New Yorkï¿½s portion of Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River as a ï¿½Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone.ï¿½ The petitions must be submitted by DEC before EPA acts to establish a no discharge under Clean Water Act protocols. A ï¿½No Discharge Zoneï¿½ designation means that boaters and shippers are not allowed to discharge their on-board sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at pump-out stations that are available for recreational boater use. A list of pump-out stations is available on DECï¿½s website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7840.html.

ï¿½Establishing a No Discharge Zone in portions of Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River will help improve water quality and make recreation on these water bodies more enjoyable,ï¿½ DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. ï¿½We look forward to working with EPA to receive this designation.ï¿½

ï¿½New York Stateï¿½s Clean Vessel Assistance Program has helped establish and annually supports 37 pump-out facilities on Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence Seaway, providing recreational boaters with convenient access to pump-out stations for the safe disposal of septic waste,ï¿½ said Matthew Driscoll, president and CEO of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. ï¿½Recognized as one of the best Clean Vessel programs in the country, EFC is proud to have helped New York state previously qualify for no-discharge zones on 17 major waterways, and we hope that this latest petition will also be granted.ï¿½

ï¿½The designation of no discharge zones in the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie is an important step in New Yorkï¿½s effort to reduce pollution in the waters of the Great Lakes,ï¿½ stated Secretary of State Cesar Perales. ï¿½Water quality improvements associated with this designation will help protect sensitive habitats and provide an added measure of public health safeguards to the important recreational and economic resources of the region.ï¿½

Both 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 peopleï¿½s health, and impair marine life and habitats.

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 and EPA announced a joint initiative to establish No Discharge Zones for all waterbodies and waterways in the state. The Lake Erie and St. Lawrence River petitions are part of DECï¿½s continuing effort to meet that goal. Approval would extend protection to all of New Yorkï¿½s Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River shoreline. Lake Ontario was designated a No Discharge Zone in 2011.

Upon concurrence by EPA, an opportunity for public comment will be announced in the Federal Register. When that concludes, EPA will address comments and determine if there are adequate 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.

(Click on title or URL to read full article)

Dry summer helps push Lake Michigan water levels to near-record lows
Recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports found that water levels on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron touched the all-time low for October one day last week and are likely to recede to record levels in the coming months.

Boats running aground as lake levels head lower
After a 12-month stretch of less-than-normal rain and snow in the Great Lakes basin, marinas that normally have no trouble getting boats in and out of the water are finding there isn't enough depth to do the job.

Grand Valley State University's Lake Michigan wind buoy collecting data for potential offshore wind farm developments
The Grand Valley State University Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center continues to directly study the wind patterns in the middle of Lake Michigan, gathering a tremendous volume of data for future scientists and wind energy developers.

Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute gets $250K EPA grant
Researchers at Grand Valley State Uï¿½s Annis Water Resources Institute on Muskegon Lake are receiving a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will aid the facility in continuing its extensive Great Lakes education and outreach programs through 2013 and 2014.

McGuinty resigns: Dalton McGuinty resigns as premier
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty stepped down on Monday. McGuinty says he will stay on until a new leader has been chosen, and that his decision stemmed from a mix of professional headaches and personal considerations.

Great Lakes ballast standards under review
A bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, would lessen the standards and allow ships to use ballast water exchange, a method of exchanging freshwater ballast for saltwater ballast without additional treatment.

EDITORIAL: Romney's right about the carp; it's time for action
Romney said if elected he would push the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move faster to find a way to block the invasive species from establishing a home in the lakes.

Romney 'outraged' by Army Corps' speed on Asian carp plan
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Thursday he is "outraged" that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not moved faster on a plan to permanently block Asian carp from swimming up the Chicago canal system and into Lake Michigan.

Salmon and trout egg collection going on right now
Workers at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Division are gathering the necessary eggs for the continued production of hatchery fish to support Michigan's fisheries.

Lake Huron nears record low level
Water levels in Lake Huron are nearing the historic low mark set in 1964 and are expected decline even further by spring.

Bullet Tax proposal robs Chicago sportsmen

Whirling Disease-resistant Trout being stocked in Colorado River

National Park Service defends exclusion of wolves in Rocky Mountain Elk Control

Bullet Tax proposal robs Chicago sportsmen

PA 23rd State to confirm Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer

New opportunities for young spearers, big fish on tap for season

starting to show us their true growth potential, and I expect to continue to see larger fish in our harvest and population assessments.ï¿½

How and where to get spearing licenses

New online resources for 2012 aid musky anglers

New arrivals at Wild Rose good news for musky anglers

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