April 2014 Basin Report
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Inland Seas Angler GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT A Publication of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council April 2014 http://www.great-lakes.org Vol. 25, No. 4 Private & tribal Wisconsin hatcheries get grants to increase walleye production MADISON – Six private and three boost walleye fishing by stocking The initiative was funded by the tribal fish hatcheries will get a total of more of the larger walleye in lakes Legislature for two years and $2 million in one-time grants for where natural reproduction isn't provides increased operating funds to projects that will increase their sufficient. The plan, known as the DNR to grow the larger, more capacity to produce larger walleye for Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, is a $12 expensive fish; allows for $8 million stocking in Wisconsin by 470,000 million funding package developed in upgrades at state hatcheries; invests fish per year, state fisheries officials by Gov. Scott Walker and DNR to in expanding capacity at private and say. The hatcheries are receiving boost walleye stocking statewide of tribal hatcheries; and provides money grants from the DNR through the the larger fish known as "extended for DNR to purchase larger walleye Wisconsin Walleye Initiative. growth" walleye. for stocking from private and tribal Grant recipients are required to Such fish, which are 6-8" long, hatcheries. stock walleye produced in their new have been shown to survive at Already, the extra funding the facilities into Wisconsin waters, and significantly higher rates in some initiative provided in 2013 enabled DNR has received $500,000 through settings than the 1.5 to 2-inch fish state hatcheries to produce more than the initiative to buy 1 million of these typically stocked. DNR's stocking four times the typical number of larger fish. Almost 200,000 of these strategy is to stock these larger larger walleye for stocking in fall should be available for stocking this walleye in some walleye waters with 2013. fall from grant recipients whose the hope of restoring naturally The competitive grant program projects will be completed this year, reproducing populations, and in for private and tribal hatcheries with the rest coming as projects are others to increase walleye numbers in required applicants to submit completed through 2018. lakes that will continue to rely on proposals including the number of The grant awards are an stocking to provide fishing Hatchery grants for walleyes important part of Wisconsin's plan to opportunities. Continued on page 10 Legislation would add Asian carp barrier below Great Lakes In this issue… GLSFC elections..................................... 2 U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., The separation of the two New MI fishing regs in effect ................... 2 chairwoman of the Congressional watersheds carries an estimated price NY saltwater anglers to sign up .............. 3 Boating Caucus, recently introduced tag of at least $15 billion and a 25- Fish kills following winter extremes ......... 3 the "Defending Against Aquatic year timetable for completion. Great Lakes ice melt a danger ................ 4 Invasive Species Act of 2014." If it is enacted, Miller’s bill MDNR to discuss Lk Mich regs ............... 4 The legislation would authorize would require the Army Corps of IL Boating & Hunter Safety Education ..... 4 the Secretary of the Army to address Engineers to begin designing a 1 in 5 MN boaters breaking the law ......... 4 the issue of aquatic invasive species, separation project within 180 days. MDNR stocks steelhead in Red Cedar .... 4 particularly Asian carp. The bill was When the design is finished, the Lk Erie 2014 Y Perch & Walleye Catch ... 5 introduced in February and has been agency would then have 180 days to 2014 Illinois licenses reminder ................ 5 referred to the Subcommittee on begin construction. WDNR proposes to allow fish net pens ... 6 Water Resources and Environment. The bill is co-sponsored by NY proposal to amend Jay Mtn Mgmt ..... 6 It seeks to design and construct a Michigan U.S. Reps. Dan Benishek, MI anglers on lookout for tagged walleye 6 barrier to prevent Asian carp from R-Iron River; John Conyers Jr., D- Acoustic telemetry reveals secrets ......... 7 invading the Great Lakes. It also Detroit; Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; and $1.1 billion to state agencies ................... 8 would “authorize the Secretary of the Mike Rogers, R-Brighton. Although Lk Huron Citizens Fisher Committee ....... 9 Army to carry out certain activities to the Michigan House of BLM hiding behind Toothless Tortoise .. 10 prevent the inter-basin transfer of Representatives approved two OH approves 2014-15 hunting regs ...... 10 aquatic invasive species between the resolutions that are part of Miller’s White-nose syndrome confirmed........... 11 Great Lakes and Mississippi River, Carp barrier below Great Lakes Diets high in animal protein may help.... 11 and for other purposes.” Continued on page 5 2 Great Lakes Basin Report Nominations open for New MI fishing regs in GLSFC officers, effect directors For the coming 2014-2015 angling year, which started April 1, the Nominations are open for all officer Michigan DNR wants anglers to be and director positions of the Great Established 1972 Lakes Sport Fishing Council for the aware of the following new fishing '15-'16 term. Nominations will be regulations: Crayfish Possession and Use – President accepted via e-mail through August Daniel N. Thomas, Illinois 31. Non-native crayfish species, Vice President including but not limited to red Open Interested in getting involved? swamp crayfish and rusty Secretary Michael D. Sanger, Wisconsin Want to participate in the advocacy crayfish, may not be possessed or used for bait, whether dead or Treasurer process of building and supporting Thomas G. Couston, Illinois our recreational fishery – and at the alive, on any public or private same time work more closely with waters of Michigan. DIRECTORS government agencies? Get involved – Muskellunge Size Limits – Illinois – Robert Gaik Larger size limits for Indiana – Mike Schoonveld get nominated. Michigan – Tom Hamilton muskellunge are now in effect for Minnesota - Dave Koneczny The Great Lakes Sport Fishing Gun Lake in Barry County (46 New York – Thomas Marks Council is on the cutting edge of inches) and Big Bear Lake in Ohio – Rick Unger Otsego County (50 inches). Ontario – Darryl Choronzey issues and information. We need your Pennsylvania - Ed Kissell help to help us generate that time- Hook-and-Line Restrictions – It Wisconsin – Robert Wincek sensitive information to our members, is now unlawful to fish with potential members and the general artificial bait or minnows in the Clinton River cut-off channel in Position Statement public. Our award-winning Web site Representing a major interest in the aquatic gets over 34 million hits annually, and Macomb County from the resources of the Great Lakes states and the we need to continue feeding hungry spillway weir to the Harper Road province of Ontario, the Great Lakes Sport anglers with sound information. You Bridge from March 16 until the Fishing Council is a confederation of can help us by volunteering to serve. Friday before the last Saturday in organizations and individuals with a concern for April. the present and future of sport fishing, our natural resources and the ecosystem in which we Nominations are open for all Walleye Size Limits – A live. We encourage the wise use of our resources offices including: minimum size limit of 15 inches and a search for the truth about the issues for walleye is now in effect for confronting us. Officers Craig Lake State Park waters in President Inland Seas Angler Baraga County. GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT Vice President Special Regulations Removed – Secretary The special regulations and Publisher Treasurer Dan Thomas, 630/941-1351 permit requirement to fish at Editor Jewett Lake in Ogemaw County Jeanette Thomas All State Directors (and Ontario) have been removed. General Webmaster Illinois statewide regulations now apply. Robert James, [email protected] Indiana In addition, anglers are reminded Michigan Copyright 2014 by Great Lakes Basin that the Betsie River spawning Publications, the INLAND SEAS ANGLERS-GREAT Minnesota closure is still in effect. The lower LAKES BASIN REPORT is the newsletter of the Great New York portion of the Betsie River from the Lakes Sport Fishing Council, a federally Ohio Betsie Valley Trail Bridge west to a recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Ontario and recognized for tax-deductible giving by the line in Betsie Bay between the federal government. Pennsylvania westernmost dock of the Northstar Opinions expressed are those of the authors Marina and the westernmost dock of and not necessarily those of GLSFC, its officers or the Eastshore Marina remains closed staff. Reproduction of any material by paid-up members is encouraged, but appropriate credit to fishing until further notice. must be given. Reproduction by others without THINK ABOUT IT Detailed information on these written permission is prohibited. regulation changes and more can be Congressmen should wear uniforms, found in the 2014 Michigan Fishing Address Change: like NASCAR drivers, so we could Guide, now available at all major Send six weeks in advance with old mailing label to GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT, P.O. Box 297, identify their corporate sponsors retailers and on the DNR website at Elmhurst, IL 60126, (630) 941-1351 www.michigan.gov/fishing. Great Lakes Basin Report 3 NY DEC reminds saltwater anglers to sign up for no-fee marine registry Saltwater fishing anglers are required the National Marine Fisheries NY Works funding to support to register for the free recreational Service database of recreational creating 50 new land and water access marine fish registry prior to fishing marine anglers. The database helps to projects to connect hunters, anglers, the marine waters of New York State efficiently obtain fishing activity bird watchers and others who enjoy to ensure federal and multi-state information, vital information for the outdoors to more than 380,000 regulations are fair to New York’s setting quotas, size and bag limits, acres of existing state and easement anglers.