Going fishing? Be careful out there

Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges anglers to use caution when planning trips on Michigan’s rivers and streams this winter. Winter fishing for trout and steelhead can be challenging and rewarding, but cold air temperatures can cause sudden and significant changes in flows in rivers and streams.

According to DNR fisheries biologist Kyle Kruger, temperature effects are most pronounced at times of very cold air temperatures, particularly below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if areas with extreme nighttime cold temperatures alternate with warmer days.

"When nights are very cold and clear, rivers can see extensive freezing and often ice dams form," Kruger said. "These dams cause water to back up the streams, reducing flow downstream, and can be quickly released if temperatures rise above freezing during the daytime hours. This can cause unpredictable and often sudden flow changes."

Kruger said this phenomenon is noticeable on the middle to lower Au Sable River in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. "The middle Au Sable River is particularly susceptible to the influences of cold weather, more so than some of the state’s other winter steelhead streams," he added.

Extensive ice damming and anchor ice formation can occur below Mio Dam (Oscoda County), particularly in the area around McKinley, during periods when air temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, these ice-damming events cause unusually low flows to be seen below Foote Dam (Iosco County).

"We want anglers to remember that the colder the weather, the more unpredictable flows will be in some of Michigan’s rivers," Kruger said. "Please use appropriate caution if you're planning fishing trips during these periods."

DNR fisheries staff strongly recommends that when planning for a winter fishing trip to one of the state’s streams, anglers should check on river conditions and weather forecasts locally. Air temperatures below 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit are likely to create conditions for more difficult fishing, particularly from a boat.

Flow and water temperature data for many of Michigan’s larger steelhead streams have real-time gauges which can be checked online through the U.S. Geological Survey.

There also are many weather-related websites that can provide forecasts for anticipated air temperatures that can help you better plan for expected conditions. Take advantage of Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities – even in winter! Start planning a trip at www.michigan.gov/fishing. 

Look!: The Case of the Vanishing Castle

Found this story and thought it might interest the history buffs among you. I thought it fascinating.

During the Civil War, a member of the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics carved a castle out of solid rock. Later, the castle vanished from the historical record.  

To read about this elusive artifact, click The Case of the Vanishing Castle. 

2015 lake sturgeon season on Black Lake begins soon

Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that the 2015 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake (Cheboygan County) will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. All anglers must register to participate in the lake sturgeon season.
The 2015 total harvest limit for Black Lake is five lake sturgeon. However, to reduce the chance of exceeding the harvest limit, officials will close the season when one of two scenarios occurs:

1) Once the fifth fish is harvested, or2) If four fish have been harvested at the end of any fishing day.
Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day of the season. The season will end either at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, or when one of the above scenarios is met, at which point anglers will be notified on the ice by DNR personnel that they must immediately stop fishing for lake sturgeon.
Anglers 17 years of age or older must possess a valid Michigan fishing license. In addition, all anglers must possess a lake sturgeon tag, available for free from all license vendors. Anglers must have both of these prior to registering for the Black Lake sturgeon season.
The 2015 angler registration process will be similar to what was enacted in 2014. Anglers need to register only once for the entire season. An early registration will be held at the DNR Onaway Field Station from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. This station is located approximately 5 miles north of Onaway on Route 211. Anglers can pick up their fishing identification flags at this time and learn more about season logistics and sturgeon populations from the DNR.
Anglers unable to participate in the Friday registration may register only at the registration trailer at Zolner Road ending on Black Lake. Morning registration begins at 7 a.m. each day of the season. Anglers are highly encouraged to register Friday, Feb. 6.
Anglers will be issued a disposable flag at registration that must be displayed at the entrance of the angler’s shanty each day.
Anglers who harvest a lake sturgeon must immediately tag the fish and contact an on-ice DNR employee and register the fish at the Zolner Road trailer registration site on Black Lake. Registration may include an examination of the sturgeon's internal organs and removal of a piece of fin tissue for DNA analysis and aging.
Registration logistics were developed in recent years to allow greater participation by anglers while protecting the population of lake sturgeon in Black Lake from over-harvest. In addition, DNR and Michigan State University have been determining annual population estimates of adult fish from the spring spawning run, which allows officials to set a safe harvest level in cooperation with tribal agencies.
Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan River watershed is a cooperative effort involving the DNR, the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Michigan State University and Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership.
For more details, anglers may call the DNR Gaylord Customer Service Center at 989-732-3541 or visit www.michigan.gov/fishing or www.michigan.gov/sturgeon.

Changes to DNR's Master Angler program announced for 2015

Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that, effective Jan. 1, 2015, multiple changes have been made to Michigan’s Master Angler program, which allows anglers to submit large fish they have caught for recognition. The program has been in place since 1973.
The Master Angler program recognizes two categories of catches: catch-and-keep and catch-and-immediate-release. Previously, the catch-and-keep category was determined by the weight of the fish caught, but that requirement has been removed and replaced with a length requirement. Now recognition in both categories will be awarded based on an established minimum length for each recognized species. Verified entries will receive the Master Angler patch. Only one patch will be awarded for both catch-and-keep and catch-and-immediate-release entries. No more than one patch per species will be awarded to each angler per year.
“Eliminating the weight requirement for part of the Master Angler program really helps to streamline both the application and the verification process – especially as anglers will no longer have to find a certified scale to have their catch weighed,” explained Lynne Thoma, the program’s coordinator. “We hope this change will make it even easier for anglers to have their large fish recognized.”
In addition to the change to the category criteria, some changes were made to the submission procedures. A witness signature is no longer required and each application must have a color photo submitted with it. Anglers can now submit their applications in hard-copy or electronic formats.
Please note, state-record fish still are recognized by weight and still require identification by a DNR fisheries biologist.
The 2015 Master Angler entry application is available online at www.michigan.gov/masterangler. 

Notice something missing?

Check out the Christmas lights on Newberry Avenue and tell me what you see is missing.

Amazing.

Walk for Diabetes - 2014 Edition

Were you one of the walkers who braved the chilly weather to walk for diabetes? If so, check out these photographs to see if your commitment to the cause was captured on camera.

Lynn Kihm, center, and her co-chairmen.

Signing up for the walk.

Our sister website, NewberryFreePress.com, sponsored the walk.

Setting up a glucose meter for walk participants.

Even dobermans participate.

Nice ride in a wagon for a great cause.

Wee ones take the easy stroll.

Walkers make it to the turnaround point.

Largest crowd of the walk converges on Snyder's.

Water or juice?

Sweatshirts were the most popular garb.

Everyone is smiling.

Mad dash across M-123.

Hoofin' it.

My kind of vantage point.

Wavin' right back at ya.

This wee one enjoyed some attention from a walk volunteer.

Free Fishing Weekend brings fun events across the state June 7-8

On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, everyone in Michigan – including residents and non-residents – can fish without a license, but all other fishing regulations still apply. Those two days make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own, there are many organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well. Some of these events include:

• 4th Annual Fishing Fest in DetroitThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from noon to 4 p.m. Come to Milliken State Park for an afternoon of fun, including free food, free fishing rod rental, games and activities, instruction and much more. All gear is provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  
• 10th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament in CheboyganThis event will be held Saturday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit the DNR’s Cheboygan Field Office for this annual event geared toward kids age 16 and younger. Participants should be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing rod and life jacket. Bait is provided.
  
• Kids’ Fishing Contest at Goodrich Park in Muskegon CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join the White Lake Area Sportfishing Association in Whitehall for this free event. Participants will be broken up into three age groups and will compete for prizes.
  
• Rice Lake Fishing Derby at Lake Linden in Houghton CountyThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsmen's Association as they host a family fishing day. Prizes will be awarded for walleye and northern pike caught during the derby. Raffles and refreshments also will be provided.
  
• River Day throughout St. Clair CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. River Day is a weekend full of free, fun activities on the land and in the water across the rivers of St. Clair County. This event is organized by the St. Clair County Health Department.

There are many more events scheduled in various locations throughout the state in more than 25 Michigan counties. For more information about the 2014 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
Michigan has celebrated the Summer Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1986. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, more than 11,000 inland lakes, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.