June 27, 2024

Mitigation of low-head dams dubbed as “drowning machines” continues in Iowa

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News / Steve Weisman

Since the 1800s, low-head dams have been a part of Iowa’s inland rivers. According to the organization Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR), at one time there were 174 low-head dams in 57 of the state’s 99 counties.
These low-head dams were used to help support grist, woolen and sawmills in the 19th century, and then in the early 1900s, the larger ones were converted for hydroelectricity. Then during the depression era, the U.S. government’s Civilian Conservation Corps gave temporary jobs to unemployed civilians, who constructed dams for recreational improvements.
Over the years, these low-head dams have been dubbed “drowning machines.”

Mitigation of low-head dams dubbed as “drowning machines” continues in Iowa Read More »

Ron Schara: State spending on Minnesota fisheries is shameful

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Minnesota, National Fishing, Opinion / Ron Schara

“The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.”
Aristotle is credited with that bit of wisdom. I never met him. The Greek philosopher was born something like 300 years before Christ.
Yet, Aristotle’s quote comes to mind nowadays. In recent weeks, I’ve been listening to, reading about, and discussing the Minnesota DNR’s fish-management program at meetings with state fisheries leaders and MN-FISH officers.
For example, I didn’t know DNR’s Fisheries Section – those fisheries employees who manage the lakes, survey fish and anglers, stock lakes, operate hatcheries, and do this and that – is operating with fewer workers than it was 30 years ago.

Ron Schara: State spending on Minnesota fisheries is shameful Read More »

Illinois students catch seven muskies in 11th annual Bob Kerans Scholastic Muskie Tournament

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, News / Staff Report

Students from several schools in Illinois participated in the 11th annual Bob Kerans Scholastic Muskie Tournament, held June 8 on Johnson Lake at Banner Marsh in Fulton County.
Named after the late Bob Kerans, a lifelong Illinois educator and muskie angler, the tournament does not charge an entry fee and is designed to encourage youth interest in the outdoors and fishing – specifically muskie fishing. The event is organized by the Illini Muskies Alliance and the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail.

Illinois students catch seven muskies in 11th annual Bob Kerans Scholastic Muskie Tournament Read More »

New York DEC notes upgrades, improvements at recreation hubs across the state

National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, News / Staff Report

In addition to the debut of the new Accessible Recreation Destinations Map, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also announced the completion of more than $5 million in recreation upgrades. These include improvement at state campgrounds, Wildlife Management Areas and other public outdoor entities.

New York DEC notes upgrades, improvements at recreation hubs across the state Read More »

Fishing, boating locations for disabled included in virtual tool from New York DEC

Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, News / Staff Report

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced a new easy-to-use map of accessible recreation features and the completion of more than $5 million in recreation upgrades to enhance the experience of persons with disabilities who access DEC’s lands and services.
DEC’s newly launched Accessible Recreation Destinations Map displays 266 destinations across New York State with wheelchair accessible outdoor recreation opportunities.

Fishing, boating locations for disabled included in virtual tool from New York DEC Read More »

Bear population continues to expand across Minnesota

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News / Tori McCormick

When a black bear is spotted outside of its primary range in the northern third of the Minnesota – as has been the case recently in St. Cloud and locations south of the Twin Cities – the DNR’s state bear project leader, Andy Tri, generally hears about it.
Area DNR managers and others in the agency will alert him to the sightings. Social media posts have become commonplace, with a single bear-spotting resident turning the phenomenon into a Facebook talker. Invariably, Tri is asked a variation on a simple question: What are you going to do about it? The short answer: Nothing.

Bear population continues to expand across Minnesota Read More »

Brush-busting deer guns: Still useful, increasingly popular

Featured, Features, Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin / Ron Spomer

Grandpa and great grandpa loved their brush busting, lever-action .30-30s, .35 Remingtons, and .32 Winchester Specials, but should you?
Yes. But not for the brush busting.
Because the bullets aren’t all that good at busting brush. But the rifles are. So-called brush rifles and the cartridges they shoot evolved alongside the metallic cartridge and repeating rifle.

Brush-busting deer guns: Still useful, increasingly popular Read More »

Gretchen Steele: Illinois EPA offers new tool to track harmful algal blooms

Featured, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky / Gretchen Steele

As the summer heat rolls in and the allure of Illinois’ beautiful lakes and rivers beckons, staying informed about potential water hazards is essential.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health are reminding everyone to be cautious about harmful algal blooms (HABs) in our waterways. Staying safe and informed with their new Harmful Algal Bloom Dashboard has never been easier. Sadly, I’ve already noticed several bodies of water in southern Illinois with harmful algal blooms.

Gretchen Steele: Illinois EPA offers new tool to track harmful algal blooms Read More »

WI Daily Update: Adjust to catch fish on clear-water lakes

From The Pages of WI ODN / Outdoor News

Crystal clear water as a result of zebra mussels impacts

WI Daily Update: Adjust to catch fish on clear-water lakes Read More »

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Mitigation of low-head dams dubbed as “drowning machines” continues in Iowa

Ron Schara: State spending on Minnesota fisheries is shameful

Illinois students catch seven muskies in 11th annual Bob Kerans Scholastic Muskie Tournament

New York DEC notes upgrades, improvements at recreation hubs across the state

Fishing, boating locations for disabled included in virtual tool from New York DEC

Bear population continues to expand across Minnesota

Brush-busting deer guns: Still useful, increasingly popular

Gretchen Steele: Illinois EPA offers new tool to track harmful algal blooms

WI Daily Update: Adjust to catch fish on clear-water lakes

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