Friday, May 29, 2015
Warbler festival set for next weekend
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Northern pike fishing tips posted
Weekly Fishing Tip: Northern pike season open - now get out there and fish!
Seasons for northern pike are finally open across the state – will you soon be getting out to try your hand at northern pike fishing?
Northern pike like to spend their time in the weedy shallows of both the Great Lakes and inland waters. In rivers they can be found around log jams or fallen timber. They are often taken with live bait (such as large minnows) or different kinds of artificial lures.
When fishing for northern pike, many anglers like to use a six to eight-inch wire or steel leader directly in front of hook or lure. Pike have large, deep mouths with extremely sharp teeth. They are known to engulf the entire bait or lure and sever the fishing line with their teeth when it is attached directly to the hook or lure. This leaves the angler watching as the fish swims away with their offering.
Want to learn even more about northern pike in Michigan? Read our detailed informational sheet about this toothy predator online!
Seasons for northern pike are finally open across the state – will you soon be getting out to try your hand at northern pike fishing?
Northern pike like to spend their time in the weedy shallows of both the Great Lakes and inland waters. In rivers they can be found around log jams or fallen timber. They are often taken with live bait (such as large minnows) or different kinds of artificial lures.
When fishing for northern pike, many anglers like to use a six to eight-inch wire or steel leader directly in front of hook or lure. Pike have large, deep mouths with extremely sharp teeth. They are known to engulf the entire bait or lure and sever the fishing line with their teeth when it is attached directly to the hook or lure. This leaves the angler watching as the fish swims away with their offering.
Want to learn even more about northern pike in Michigan? Read our detailed informational sheet about this toothy predator online!
Check out this week's fishing report
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay: Anglers trolling for salmon are picking up a mix of Chinook, coho, splake and lake trout between Baraga and L’Anse and south to the head of the bay. Fish were still caught 15 to 40 feet down in 20 to 60 feet with gold, orange and green spoons. Best trolling speeds were between 1.9 and 2.3 mph.
Lake Gogebic: Walleye anglers were catching a lot of fish however most were undersize at 13 and 14 inches. Many reported catching 25 to 30 fish but only had one or two keepers. Those having the most success were drifting or jigging with minnows and leeches in 10 to 15 feet in Bergland Bay. Many have also caught northern pike and smallmouth bass. The perch anglers had moderate success with each catching about 10 fish.
Menominee River: Anglers are catching a few walleye at the Hattie Street Dam. Most are using a jig and minnow. Boat anglers fishing the entire river have caught and released some nice smallmouth bass when casting spoons and stick baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Had a good start to the walleye season. Most anglers were fishing the head of the Bay up to Garth Point and caught good numbers of fish although many were undersize. Anglers were trolling or drifting crawlers in 16 to 24 feet. Fair to good action was reported between the Center Reef and the Second Reef for those drifting or trolling crawler harnesses in 18 to 26 feet or trolling stick baits with lead core and planer boards in 30 to 35 feet. Catch rates were fair at the “Narrows” trolling crawler harnesses in 28 to 32 feet and when jigging lead heads with minnows in 30 to 34 feet. Walleye were caught at the mouth and in the channel of the Escanaba River in 15 to 22 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Had a good start to walleye season with some of the better catches coming from Ogontz where anglers were trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in eight feet. Near the Fishdam Rivers, anglers reported fair to good catches in 10 to 14 feet when trolling and drifting crawlers. Smallmouth bass fishing was excellent near Ogontz, Fishdam Rivers, South River, Garden Bay and Kates Bay. Anglers are casting crank baits, spinners or plastics in three to eight feet. The bass opener should be good.
Marquette: Those trolling have done better for Chinook and coho including a few limit catches on the right day in 60 feet of water outside the Lower Harbor to the Chocolay River, towards the Sand River and Shot Point. Those looking for lake trout are primarily targeting Shot Point and east of the harbor with spoons, flies or cut bait. Shore anglers fishing the mouth of the Carp River caught a couple but anglers were few because of construction on the bridge.
Au Train Lake: The opening of walleye season had fair catch rates. Those targeting walleye and pike were mainly drifting crawlers or minnows. Some of the walleye were legal size but many of the pike were sub-legal. Surface water temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s. No perch to report.
Munising: Had low to fair catch results on coho with a few Chinook and one brown trout caught as well. They are fishing 20 to 60 feet near Sand Point and Trout Bay.
Coho were caught by those still-fishing or trolling and a couple splake were caught near the Anna River. Those fishing off the dock of the Anna River were using fresh spawn. Smelt fishing has been minimal with no reports this week.
Grand Marais: No longer has ice however there was one day when some ice blew in at the end of the pier. Most anglers are trolling around West Bay or still-fishing off the pier. Steelhead effort and catch rates were low. Whitefish have shown up and catch rates were excellent. Most fish were caught on a single egg or wax worm. Those trolling were in 15 to 40 feet in the West Bay and near the mouth of the Sucker River did well with small spoons and rapalas. Catch rates for coho were fair. Limit catches of whitefish were taken off the pier. The fish were mainly 11 to 15 inches but a few were over 20 inches.
Two Hearted River: Steelhead fishing has been slow. Not only were few fish caught but few fish were actually seen.
Tahquamenon River: Anglers may find some walleye below Newberry. Try minnows or crawlers.
Munuscong Bay: A few walleye and pike were caught when trolling quarter ounce crank baits about six feet behind the boat in four to six feet of water between Gull Island and Barbecue Point. Orange and gold were the hot colors.
Drummond Island: A few yellow perch were caught off the docks in Scotts Bay when using shiners. Walleye and pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island when drifting and jigging in five to seven feet and on the east side when using a small split shot 18 inches above a red hook tipped with a crawler. Pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island and the north end of James Island when using chubs or shiners. Catch and release smallmouth bass fishing was good along the south end of James Island in three to six feet when using dark green and brown tube jigs.
Cedarville and Hessel: Good perch fishing off the Hessel pier for those using worms on clear days. Splake were active in Hessel Bay but they will be moving out once the water warms up. Northern pike fishing was very good in Hessel Bay, Snows Channel, Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay. Anglers are casting or trolling with planer boards and stick baits.
Carp River: Anglers are still targeting steelhead between the McDonald Rapids and the mouth. They are casting lures and using spawn bags or yarn.
Keweenaw Bay: Anglers trolling for salmon are picking up a mix of Chinook, coho, splake and lake trout between Baraga and L’Anse and south to the head of the bay. Fish were still caught 15 to 40 feet down in 20 to 60 feet with gold, orange and green spoons. Best trolling speeds were between 1.9 and 2.3 mph.
Lake Gogebic: Walleye anglers were catching a lot of fish however most were undersize at 13 and 14 inches. Many reported catching 25 to 30 fish but only had one or two keepers. Those having the most success were drifting or jigging with minnows and leeches in 10 to 15 feet in Bergland Bay. Many have also caught northern pike and smallmouth bass. The perch anglers had moderate success with each catching about 10 fish.
Menominee River: Anglers are catching a few walleye at the Hattie Street Dam. Most are using a jig and minnow. Boat anglers fishing the entire river have caught and released some nice smallmouth bass when casting spoons and stick baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Had a good start to the walleye season. Most anglers were fishing the head of the Bay up to Garth Point and caught good numbers of fish although many were undersize. Anglers were trolling or drifting crawlers in 16 to 24 feet. Fair to good action was reported between the Center Reef and the Second Reef for those drifting or trolling crawler harnesses in 18 to 26 feet or trolling stick baits with lead core and planer boards in 30 to 35 feet. Catch rates were fair at the “Narrows” trolling crawler harnesses in 28 to 32 feet and when jigging lead heads with minnows in 30 to 34 feet. Walleye were caught at the mouth and in the channel of the Escanaba River in 15 to 22 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Had a good start to walleye season with some of the better catches coming from Ogontz where anglers were trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in eight feet. Near the Fishdam Rivers, anglers reported fair to good catches in 10 to 14 feet when trolling and drifting crawlers. Smallmouth bass fishing was excellent near Ogontz, Fishdam Rivers, South River, Garden Bay and Kates Bay. Anglers are casting crank baits, spinners or plastics in three to eight feet. The bass opener should be good.
Marquette: Those trolling have done better for Chinook and coho including a few limit catches on the right day in 60 feet of water outside the Lower Harbor to the Chocolay River, towards the Sand River and Shot Point. Those looking for lake trout are primarily targeting Shot Point and east of the harbor with spoons, flies or cut bait. Shore anglers fishing the mouth of the Carp River caught a couple but anglers were few because of construction on the bridge.
Au Train Lake: The opening of walleye season had fair catch rates. Those targeting walleye and pike were mainly drifting crawlers or minnows. Some of the walleye were legal size but many of the pike were sub-legal. Surface water temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s. No perch to report.
Munising: Had low to fair catch results on coho with a few Chinook and one brown trout caught as well. They are fishing 20 to 60 feet near Sand Point and Trout Bay.
Coho were caught by those still-fishing or trolling and a couple splake were caught near the Anna River. Those fishing off the dock of the Anna River were using fresh spawn. Smelt fishing has been minimal with no reports this week.
Grand Marais: No longer has ice however there was one day when some ice blew in at the end of the pier. Most anglers are trolling around West Bay or still-fishing off the pier. Steelhead effort and catch rates were low. Whitefish have shown up and catch rates were excellent. Most fish were caught on a single egg or wax worm. Those trolling were in 15 to 40 feet in the West Bay and near the mouth of the Sucker River did well with small spoons and rapalas. Catch rates for coho were fair. Limit catches of whitefish were taken off the pier. The fish were mainly 11 to 15 inches but a few were over 20 inches.
Two Hearted River: Steelhead fishing has been slow. Not only were few fish caught but few fish were actually seen.
Tahquamenon River: Anglers may find some walleye below Newberry. Try minnows or crawlers.
Munuscong Bay: A few walleye and pike were caught when trolling quarter ounce crank baits about six feet behind the boat in four to six feet of water between Gull Island and Barbecue Point. Orange and gold were the hot colors.
Drummond Island: A few yellow perch were caught off the docks in Scotts Bay when using shiners. Walleye and pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island when drifting and jigging in five to seven feet and on the east side when using a small split shot 18 inches above a red hook tipped with a crawler. Pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island and the north end of James Island when using chubs or shiners. Catch and release smallmouth bass fishing was good along the south end of James Island in three to six feet when using dark green and brown tube jigs.
Cedarville and Hessel: Good perch fishing off the Hessel pier for those using worms on clear days. Splake were active in Hessel Bay but they will be moving out once the water warms up. Northern pike fishing was very good in Hessel Bay, Snows Channel, Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay. Anglers are casting or trolling with planer boards and stick baits.
Carp River: Anglers are still targeting steelhead between the McDonald Rapids and the mouth. They are casting lures and using spawn bags or yarn.
DNR seeks feedback from U.P. anglers
Angler input sought on Upper Peninsula rivers for brook trout research
Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that select rivers across the Upper Peninsula again will be part of an angler survey effort during the 2015 inland trout season.
The survey is designed to help evaluate public response and potential biological effects of an experimental regulation that allows an additional five brook trout to be harvested in specified research areas. Survey information will be used to improve future brook trout management in the U.P.
The experimental regulation originally went into effect April 1, 2013. Currently it applies to segments of Bryan Creek (Marquette and Dickinson counties), East Branch Huron River (Baraga and Marquette counties), East Branch Tahquamenon River (Chippewa County), East Branch Ontonagon River (Houghton and Iron counties), Dead River (Marquette County), Driggs River (Schoolcraft County), Presque Isle River and tributaries (Gogebic County) and Lower Rock River and tributaries (Alger County).
The regulation’s upstream/downstream boundaries on these rivers are described on pages 52 through 66 of the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide and are depicted as online maps on the DNR’s website.
Angler input is being sought through two methods: 1) from self-addressed, postage paid survey cards that will be distributed by DNR staff at the rivers listed above and also at other rivers chosen as experimental controls, or 2) from an online survey. Anglers are asked to fill out one card or online survey per person, per trip.
To learn more about this experimental regulation, please review the information available online.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that select rivers across the Upper Peninsula again will be part of an angler survey effort during the 2015 inland trout season. The survey is designed to help evaluate public response and potential biological effects of an experimental regulation that allows an additional five brook trout to be harvested in specified research areas. Survey information will be used to improve future brook trout management in the U.P.
The experimental regulation originally went into effect April 1, 2013. Currently it applies to segments of Bryan Creek (Marquette and Dickinson counties), East Branch Huron River (Baraga and Marquette counties), East Branch Tahquamenon River (Chippewa County), East Branch Ontonagon River (Houghton and Iron counties), Dead River (Marquette County), Driggs River (Schoolcraft County), Presque Isle River and tributaries (Gogebic County) and Lower Rock River and tributaries (Alger County).
The regulation’s upstream/downstream boundaries on these rivers are described on pages 52 through 66 of the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide and are depicted as online maps on the DNR’s website.
Angler input is being sought through two methods: 1) from self-addressed, postage paid survey cards that will be distributed by DNR staff at the rivers listed above and also at other rivers chosen as experimental controls, or 2) from an online survey. Anglers are asked to fill out one card or online survey per person, per trip.
To learn more about this experimental regulation, please review the information available online.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Free admission for military announced
Michigan Historical Center offers free admission
The Michigan Historical Center today announced that it has joined the Blue Star Museums, becoming one of more than 2,000 cultural institutions participating in a national collaboration to offer free admission this summer to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families.
The free admission offer starts Memorial Day, May 25, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
“We are proud to be a part of the Blue Star Museum program, which offers active-duty military personnel and their families free admission to the Michigan Historical Center,” said center director Sandra Clark. “If you are planning a fun family outing this summer, the MHC is a great place to learn more about the real stories of Michigan’s rich heritage.”
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.
This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers and dozens of children’s museums.
The Michigan Historical Center today announced that it has joined the Blue Star Museums, becoming one of more than 2,000 cultural institutions participating in a national collaboration to offer free admission this summer to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families.
The free admission offer starts Memorial Day, May 25, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
“We are proud to be a part of the Blue Star Museum program, which offers active-duty military personnel and their families free admission to the Michigan Historical Center,” said center director Sandra Clark. “If you are planning a fun family outing this summer, the MHC is a great place to learn more about the real stories of Michigan’s rich heritage.”
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.
This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers and dozens of children’s museums.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Check out this rattlesnake video
60-Second Snakes: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Whether you're a hunter, a wildlife enthusiast or just someone who enjoys an occasional walk in the woods, this 60-second video will help you properly identify an eastern massasauga rattlesnake, should you ever find yourself lucky enough to come across this rare species in the wild. If you are fortunate enough to see one in your travels, enjoy it from a distance, and we'd appreciate you taking the time to complete an observation report online. Look for more videos in our 60-Second Snakes series throughout the summer and into the fall.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Vets can get special recognition
Veterans may apply for a special designation
Choosing the option to add a veteran designation to Michigan driver's licenses gives veterans an easy way to prove their veteran status in order to receive discounts from businesses.
Eligible veterans may obtain the designation by visiting any Secretary of State office or when renewing through the mail. The designation is available when applying for an original or renewal Michigan license or ID at no additional charge. If added at another time, correction fees will apply.
Plus, it allows the Secretary of State's Office to partner with the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, and veteran service organizations to provide referral information so veterans better know what resources and services are available to them.
The word "Veteran" will be printed in red on the front of the card.
Plus, it allows the Secretary of State's Office to partner with the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, and veteran service organizations to provide referral information so veterans better know what resources and services are available to them.
The word "Veteran" will be printed in red on the front of the card.
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