Pennsylvania’s fishing and hunting report for April 20, 2023
Hatches fuel trout, crappies biting, walleyes to open. A look at Pennsylvania’s statewide fishing and hunting report for April 20, 2023.
April 20, 2023
Ditch the blind when bowhunting turkeys
Four toms had put on an incredible show not far from this place the previous morning. I called two of them to within 25 yards, but never got the shot I wanted with my bow.
That scenario is not uncommon. I sometimes question why I don’t get a shotgun license for spring turkey hunting. Then a hunt comes together and reminds me why I love chasing turkeys while toting a bow. Here are a few things to consider if you want to ditch the ground blind while bowhunting.
Invasive species take over what not long ago was a paradise in southern Illinois
My heart began to sink just a little as I made my way to one of my favorite mushroom patches. All along the roadside and the fence rows, what was greening up and putting on a show was not the usual spring culprits.
It seems as though I’ve been watching invasive species eat southern Illinois alive for years. Still, somehow, the spread seems so much more virulent this spring, with no spot left unaffected.
Quality largemouth bass among angling options on Iowa’s Badger Creek Lake in Madison County
The Iowa DNR notes that spring electrofishing from 2022 indicated a moderate abundance of largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Bluegill and crappie species were sampled in moderate abundance. Most of the bluegill were 6-8 inches in length and crappie up to 10 inches are available to anglers.
Indiana Fishing Report – April 20, 2023
The bite in this area is just starting to resume after being disrupted by waves/wind/rain over the past 10 days or so.
Anglers can win prizes, help fisheries management through the Iowa Walleye Challenge
Anglers fishing Iowa waters can help fisheries managers by tracking the walleyes they catch through a mobile app this May and June.
Anglers will have the chance to win numerous local prizes, worth over $6,000, in addition to $5,000 in statewide weekly prizes. Anglers who sign up for the catch photo-release tournament by April 24 are eligible to win an Early Bird drawing for a $50 gift card from Kwik Star.
Iowa’s Great Lakes ready to welcome anglers for walleye opener on May 6
The 147th walleye fishing season officially opens May 6 at Iowa’s Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.
“Walleye populations on the Iowa Great Lakes are in very good shape,” said Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Ice didn’t leave the lakes until mid-April. Fish will likely be more active as they make up for lost time.”
Deadline for North Dakota landowners to digitally post land is July 1
The deadline for landowners to digitally post land is July 1, which enables Game and Fish to produce print material and digital content prior to hunting seasons that begin in August.
Your garden or property might qualify as Certified Wildlife Habitat
Under the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitats program, property owners can elect to have their garden, backyard, woodlot or wetland officially designated as Certified Wildlife Habitat. Basic criteria must be met, and NWF provides plenty of resources for meeting those requirements, but it turns out my 3.24-acre hobby farm already qualifies, and yours might, too.
