Report identifies options to thwart Asian carp
A new report commissioned by a pair of conservation organizations may help pressure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move swiftly to turn back the calendar to the 1900s.
News
Display of fishing licenses to go on
That’s the conclusion a divided Fish & Boat Commission board came to after a spirited discussion about whether to continue to make Pennsylvania anglers display their fishing licenses.
Hatchery disease dooms Erie trout
Steelhead bound to be stocked in Lake Erie’s tributary streams and brown trout destined to go into the lake itself are instead likely to be destroyed.
No ‘hole sitting’ at high school fishing finals
The Illinois High School Association’s popular bass fishing program continues to grow.
Youngster rips state fish record
The 15-year-old freshman at Rockford Auburn High had been curled up on the floor of his father’s 1973 14-foot Starcraft after a morning of fishing on the Pecatonica River on Jan. 7.
DNR survey shows fewest fish houses on south-central Minnesota lakes in 35 years
Warm weather and poor ice conditions are keeping people off the ice.
MN: Third state carp summit refines new battle plan
They proposed a variety of actions they say could prevent the spread of Asian carp north of Minneapolis; limit movement into the Minnesota and St. Croix rivers; better understand the fish; and limit the movement of Asian carp and other invasive fish species into Minnesota
NY: Blackfish regs tightened for ’12
Spring season axed entirely East Setauket, N.Y. – New York's tautog (blackfish) regulations will be dramatically tightened in 2012 by a sharply shortened season and an increased size limit for both recreational and commercial anglers. The new regulations are being put into effect to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Fishery Management Plan. They may also…
MN: Ice abounds, albeit some not in fishable condition
Wayzata, Minn. – You can go anywhere in the state and find walkable, fishable ice. But it doesn't seem to matter what direction you head, you'll also find a few lakes with some problematic ice conditions. The ice that's been in place for more than two weeks is getting thicker each day. But rain and warm temperatures last week re-opened…
MI: Salmon season is solid on Michigan
DNR announces plans to reduce stocks in Huron Lansing – While anglers fishing one Great Lake caught outstanding numbers of salmon, those fishing another made only average catches. Lake Michigan produced plenty of coho salmon, particularly early in the season. "There were nice coho fisheries in the southern part of the state, particularly New Buffalo and St. Joseph," Jay Wesley,…
NY: Monster muskies spark talk of new world record
Clayton, N.Y. – A pair of huge muskies caught last month in the St. Lawrence River have once again fueled talk that a world record fish is swimming in that popular water. Daniel Polniak, Jr., of Ogdensburg (St. Lawrence County) caught and released a 60-inch muskie that weighed an estimated 60-65 pounds while fishing with Capt. Rich Clarke of Sign…
IL: Versatile Bruce handling top DNR fisheries post
Springfield, Ill. – Who has been running DNR's Fisheries Division in the wake of Steve Pallo's retirement this summer? The answer is Debbie Bruce, who was promoted to acting chief following Pallo's June 30 departure. Bruce took the interim position in July, according to Illinois DNR spokesman Chris McCloud. Bruce's career background does include biology, though most of Bruce's previous…
BOC: Increase license fees
Fishing and hunting license fees should be increased and restructured, as the DNR has proposed, to keep the Game and Fish Fund solvent, according to a citizens group that oversees agency expenditures.
IL: ‘Big Fish’ may have been new record
Fox Lake, Ill. – Ryan Stochl gave up the chance of putting his name in the Illinois record books so that his 50¾-inch muskie, caught on the Chain would live. But at least for Stochl, his Oct. 30 catch leads the Illini Muskie Alliance's annual Big Fish contest, which is open to members of any of the state's muskie clubs….
MI: Study: Mercury levels in fish higher than expected
Detroit – While environmental controls have limited the amount of new mercury pollution in the Great Lakes region, a recent study reveals levels of mercury found in some species of fish in Michigan waterways have continued to increase. A report issued by the Biodiversity Research Institute, Great Lakes Commission in Ann Arbor and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse noted that…
OH: DNR fisheries chief to retire
Columbus – For as long as he can remember, Ray Petering's best pose was with a fishing rod in hand. The Cincinnati-area native is the executive administrator for fish management with the DNR Division of Wildlife. But Petering has announced that he will be retiring at the end of December, becoming the latest in a long line of experienced and valued…
MI: Bowfishing, spearing regulations revamped
Lansing – A proposal to revamp Michigan spearing and bowfishing regulations, including opening up about half the lakes currently closed to the fishing method, is getting mixed reviews. The Bowfishing Association of Michigan calls the package "excellent," according to its president, Steve Winters, of Manistee. He said it increases the species bowfishers can take, and establishes year-round shooting. But the…
PA: Commissioners hate smaller trout advice
Erie, Pa. – The idea of raising smaller trout to save money? It doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. Brian Wisner, chief of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's hatchery division, first floated the idea at a meeting of the board's fisheries committee in August. He said then – as part of a review of potential hatchery cost…
OH: Renovation project will affect trout stocking this fall
Castalia, Ohio – The annual fall stockings of rainbow trout in waterways across Ohio will be significantly reduced this year due to renovation of the Castalia State Fish Hatchery. According to the DNR Division of Wildlife, the hatchery's renovation required temporary changes in the fish production schedule. "Taking the Castalia State Fish Hatchery offline for fish production was a necessary…
Illinois launches Asian carp anti-hunger program
CHICAGO (AP) – Minced Asian carp tacos? How about spaghetti with carp sauce? Illinois officials hope serving the invasive species on a plate is the creative solution to two big problems: controlling the plankton-gobbling carp from entering the Great Lakes and record numbers of people facing hunger. But the idea has major obstacles, mainly overcoming people's nose-crinkling response to eating…
Minnesota DNR seeks comments on walleye regulations on Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting public meetings this fall to gather input on the future of walleye regulations on the lakes of Namakan Reservoir. The reservoir includes Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes in northern St. Louis County. The forums are intended to provide background information, answer questions and take public input on…
Seven bags of walleye fillets seized in Lake of the Woods over-limit case of James E. Thomsen of Ashland, Nebraska.
A Nebraska angler was fined almost $1,200 after a 700-mile fishing trip to northern Minnesota's Lake of the Woods resulted in an over-limit. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer Robert Gorecki of Baudette was patrolling the nearly 350,000-acre lake on July 31 when he came across James E. Thomsen, 68, of Ashland, Neb. The officer asked Thomsen how…
OH: Kasich vetoes water use bill
Would have significant impact on Lake Erie Columbus – Gov. John Kasich vetoed a bill that would have allowed Ohio factories to pull more water out of Lake Erie, amid pressure from governors from other Great Lakes states who expressed concerned about the measure. Kasich, a first-term Republican, said in a statement that he was vetoing the bill because…
Minnesota DNR seeks comments on Lake Vermilion special walleye regulation
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. to provide an update on the status of the Lake Vermilion walleye population, answer questions and gather input on the future of the Lake Vermilion walleye regulation. The meeting will be at the DNR area office, 650 Highway 169, Tower. For those who are…
Feds to step up hunt for Asian carp near Chicago
CHICAGO (AP) – Federal officials say they will begin intensive monitoring of a waterway near Lake Michigan next week after genetic material from the invasive Asian carp showed up in three rounds of genetic testing. Crews will conduct electrofishing – using electric jolts to stun fish – sweep nets and additional sampling in Lake Calumet near Chicago during a four-day…
MN: Illegal tribal netting case erupts in Red, Leech lake areas
St. Paul – Federal prosecutors are reviewing evidence seized as part of an investigation into claims of the illegal netting and sale of walleyes in the Leech Lake and Red Lake reservation areas of northern Minnesota. Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials were involved in an operation during the weekend after receiving claims of illegal walleye netting and…
