News Release Published: February 16, 2009 by the Northeast Region

Contact(s): Ron Bruch, DNR Senior Sturgeon Biologist, 920-424-3059
Tom Turner, DNR Public Affairs Manager, 920-662-5122

Winnebago & Up River Lakes Report for Sunday, February 15, 2009

OSHKOSH – Perfect weather and a near record breaking fish were the stories on day two of the 2009 lake sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago and its Upriver Lakes. Sub-freezing temperatures with lots of sunshine is what Amy Van Beek of Menasha saw when the threw an 80.8 inch, 168.8 pound female sturgeon out of her shack this morning on Lake Poygan. Ms. Van Beek’s fish was the 4th heaviest and the 6th longest fish ever recorded in the history of the Winnebago spear fishery.

The heaviest fish in the current record of 188 pounds speared by Dave Piechowski of Redgranite, Wisconsin in 2004. That fish was 79.5 inches long.

The longest fish was a 90 incher harvested in 1951 which weighed only 118 pounds. Fish biologists say it was likely a female that had spawned the previous spring.

DNR Sturgeon biologist Ron Bruch reported 290 fish were speared Sunday on Lake Winnebago including 178 female sturgeon (56 juvenile females and 122 adult females) and 112 males.

On the Upriver Lakes, Sunday’s take was 78 including 40 females (26 juvenile and 14 adult females) and 38 males. And one of those females was the 80.8 inch, 168.8 pounder speared by Van Beek.

Bruch said the seasons on Lake Winnebago and Upriver Lakes will continue to remain open for spearing on Monday. He says that at the current harvest rate, the season on Winnebago could remain open well into the coming week; while the season on the Upriver Lakes could last one or two more days. Bruch noted that typically harvest numbers drop off significantly after opening day due to a drop in effort by spearers.

The 2009 season is set to run from February 14 through March 1 unless spearers reach the pre-set harvest caps. Currently, spearing on Lake Winnebago is at 41.8% of the cap for juvenile females, 56.3% for adult females and 30.4% for males. On the Upriver Lakes juvenile females are at 72.9% of the cap, 66.7% of adult females and 51% of males.

Lake Winnebago/Upriver Lakes 2009 Sturgeon Spear Harvest -
Preliminary Daily Report – Sunday, February 15, 2009

Lake Winnebago

Upriver lakes

Total Harvest for the Day: 368
Total Harvest thus far for the Season: 874

2009 MICH-OHIO SPORTFISHING EXPO
February 14th 9am-8pm, February 15th 9am-5pm
MBT Expo Center, Monroe County Fairgrounds

9 Free Fishing seminars-courtesy of Whitman Ford, with featured guest speakers Dave Mull, Great Lakes Angler Editor/Fisherman and ….Pro Bass fisherman Gerry Gostenick

Free Parking-courtesy of Monroe Chrysler Dodge, Monroe MI

Free CHIP (Child Identification Program/Masons) –courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 20110, Monroe, MI

1st 100 Paid attendee’s each day will get a free walleye lure

Free door prizes (must be present to win) & Free Fishing simulator

Adults $5 admission, kids 12 and under free, Ticket discount available

Michigan Sportsman Against Hunger – raffle of a 8hp 4 stroke Yamaha Kicker motor-courtesy of Freeway Sports Center – you get 1 raffle ticket for every 4 cans of food goods, need not be present to win, drawing Feb 15th 2009 at 4pm.

27,000 sq ft of brand name fishing products with over 70 vendors

Food and drinks available

For exhibitor information or show details, see www.Mich-Ohio.com

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

• Video Of The Day – I think we have a blood trail..
• National Pheasant Fest
• Remington® Introduces Model R-15 VTR™ – Byron South Edition The Ultimate Predator Hunting Rifle
• Video Of The Day: Crazy Bucks Fighting In A River
• DONT THINK I DONT THINK ABOUT IT – HUNTING
• Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record
• Make your mount look like new
• Funny Hunting Prank
• Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching
• Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in MI
•  Michigan State Senator accuses DNR of cougar cover-up
• Minnesota – Chronic wasting disease found in Rochester-area elk farm
• Poachers Pay $13,277.60 for Illegally Killing Trophy Buck

Contact:
Warden Patrick Foy, 916-508-7095, DFG Enforcement Division

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens arrested Tam Duc Truong, 55, of San Jose today for allegedly taking and selling white sturgeon illegally. Two restaurants in San Jose are being investigated in conjunction with allegations of Truong’s selling of fish.

The case began Jan. 21, when DFG wardens acted on information that Truong was involved in the illegal take and sale of sport caught sturgeon. While Truong was under surveillance, wardens recorded Truong catching and selling sturgeon. On Jan. 31, Truong was cited and released. Information on the case was gathered and additional charges and inspections took place.

The arrest and inspections were carried out by DFG’s Delta Bay Enhancement Enforcement Program and the Special Operations Unit.

DFG wardens have conducted nine major sturgeon poaching operations since 2003. California does not allow for the commercial catch or sale of white sturgeon. Poachers often target large breeding female white sturgeon. The eggs are processed for caviar. Poaching is one reason why sturgeon struggle to maintain healthy populations.

In an effort to deter this type of violation, in 2007 the Legislature passed, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law, AB 1187 by Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), giving courts authority to issue a fine between $5,000 to $10,000 and/or up to a year in county jail for sturgeon poaching offenses. Other facets of this law allow the seizure and forfeiture of boats and vehicles used in the commission of the offense.

“California’s green and white sturgeon can be easily over exploited because they mature late, spawn infrequently and are dependent on unusual environmental conditions,” said Marty Gingras, DFG Supervising Fisheries Biologist, Bay Delta Region. “The current population of adult white sturgeon in California is low.”

More protective sturgeon regulations including a Sturgeon Fishing Report Card, three fish annual white sturgeon bag limit and a zero-fish green sturgeon bag limit were implemented March 1, 2007.

The federal government listed green sturgeon in California as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

Successful investigations are often the direct result of lawful anglers giving information about poaching incidents to local wardens or the CalTIP hotline. To report poachers and polluters call 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

• Video Of The Day – I think we have a blood trail..
• National Pheasant Fest
• Remington® Introduces Model R-15 VTR™ – Byron South Edition The Ultimate Predator Hunting Rifle
• Video Of The Day: Crazy Bucks Fighting In A River
• DONT THINK I DONT THINK ABOUT IT – HUNTING
• Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record
• Make your mount look like new
• Funny Hunting Prank
• Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching
• Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in MI
•  Michigan State Senator accuses DNR of cougar cover-up
• Minnesota – Chronic wasting disease found in Rochester-area elk farm

Walleye and yellow perch anglers should enjoy good fishing opportunities
 

COLUMBUS, OH – Lake Erie anglers should experience another year of quality fishing during 2009, according to biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
 
“Over the years, Lake Erie has consistently provided some of the best fishing in the country,” said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager at ODNR, “We expect 2009 to be no different.”
 
Excellent fishing opportunities await walleye and yellow perch anglers, as well as those who prefer other species like smallmouth bass, white bass, and steelhead, said Knight.
 
Lake Erie anglers have great access to fishing in the Western and Central basins due to the numerous public boat ramps, private marinas and shoreline areas. They also benefit from having the largest charter boat industry in the Great Lakes.
 
Anglers are reminded that walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches to comply with quotas and minimize the risk of over-fishing the species. Quotas for the upcoming fishing season are determined through consensus agreement by the jurisdictions through the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and are announced publicly in late March of each year.
 
Walleye
Ohio walleye anglers will catch fish mostly from the 2003 hatch, with contributions from the 2001 and 2005 hatches, as well as some fish from the 1999 and 2007 hatches. Walleye from the 2003 hatch will be 18 to 26 inches long, while fish from the earlier hatches will range from 23 to 28 inches over the course of the fishing season. Fish from the 2005 hatch should be in the 17 to 20 inch range. Large walleye from strong hatches in the 1980s and mid-1990s still persist in the population, providing “Fish Ohio” trophy (more than 28 inches) opportunities.
 
“Walleye abundance and the sport catch have been declining over recent years in Lake Erie due to below-average hatches since 2003,” said Knight. “However, the average size of fish caught in the 2009 fishery should be exceptional.”
 
Anglers will also catch walleyes from the moderate 2007 hatch; however, most of these fish will be under the legal size of 15 inches until fall.
 
The daily bag limit remains four fish per person during March and April 2009, and six fish from May 2009 through February 2010. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season.
 
Yellow Perch
Perch anglers should encounter fish ranging from 7 to 13 inches from the 2007, 2005 and 2003 hatches in this year’s fishery. Perch numbers should be similar to levels observed in 2008 in the Western Basin, but down slightly in the Central Basin. A moderate hatch from 2008 should boost the fishery beginning late next year.
 
“Overall, we expect to have good perch fishing in 2009, with the largest fish coming from the Central Basin,” said Knight.
 
The daily bag limit is 25 yellow perch per angler in the waters west of Huron and 30 perch per angler from Huron eastward to the Pennsylvania border. There is no minimum size limit on yellow perch.
 
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing in 2009 is expected to be fair. Although bass abundance remains below desired levels, those caught should be of excellent size (15 to 22 inches, weighing 2 to 6 pounds). Bass fishing is best in areas with good bottom structure, which is available across much of the entire Ohio near shore area.
 
A closed season remains in effect from May 1 through June 26, 2009, during which all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. Beginning June 27, 2009, the daily bag limit for bass will remain at five fish, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.
 
Steelhead
Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of great fishing in Ohio’s Lake Erie tributaries throughout the fall, winter and spring months. Good fishing opportunities will also exist on the open lake when schools of fish can be located. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. Most Lake Erie anglers troll for steelhead in deep waters using spoons with dipsy divers or downriggers. The daily bag limit remains at five fish per person from May 16 to August 31, and two fish per angler between September 1 and May 15, with a 12-inch minimum size limit throughout the year.
 
White Bass
White bass will continue to provide excellent seasonal fishing opportunities in tributaries and the open lake. The catch will be dominated by hatches from 2003 and 2005, which will include many 12- to 15-inch fish. The 2006 hatch was moderate and should contribute 10- to 12-inch fish to the fishery. Anglers should focus on major Western Basin tributaries during May and June and near shore areas of the open lake during summer months. There is no daily bag or size limit on white bass.
 
Anglers are also advised of numerous fishing opportunities in the bays and harbors on the Ohio shoreline. The inlets offer excellent fishing for panfish, including crappie and bluegill, as well as largemouth bass. In early spring, anglers may also catch an occasional Northern pike or muskellunge in vegetated areas.
 
Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly and adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into account such factors as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structure and the amount of baitfish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to seek safe harbor before storms approach.
 
During the season, ODNR provides an updated Lake Erie fishing report online at ohiodnr.com and by calling 1-888-HOOKFISH.
 
Division of Wildlife staff members are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Call Fairport Harbor, (440) 352-4199, for Central Basin information and at Sandusky, (419) 625-8062, for Western Basin information. For additional information on lodging, charter boat services and local launch ramps, contact one of the following lakeshore visitors bureaus:
 
Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau                      800-337-6746
Lake County Visitors Bureau                                                        800-368-5253
Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland                  800-321-1001
Lorain County Visitors Bureau                                                      800-334-1673
Sandusky/Erie County Visitors Bureau                                      800-255-8070
Ottawa County Visitors Bureau                                                     800-441-1271
Greater Toledo Convention & Visitors Bureau                          800-243-4667
Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism                                                800-BUCKEYE
 
Information on the Division of Wildlife’s Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, open lake and steelhead fishing reports, as well as maps and links to other Lake Erie web resources is available on the Internet at http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife.
 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

• Video Of The Day – I think we have a blood trail..
• National Pheasant Fest
• Remington® Introduces Model R-15 VTR™ – Byron South Edition The Ultimate Predator Hunting Rifle
• Video Of The Day: Crazy Bucks Fighting In A River
• WANTED : WOMEN HUNTERS !!!
• Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record
• Make your mount look like new
• Funny Hunting Prank
• Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching
• Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in MI
•  SHUTTING DETROIT DOWN – JOHN RICH
• FWC records high counts during statewide manatee survey

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

• Video Of The Day – I think we have a blood trail..
• National Pheasant Fest
• Remington® Introduces Model R-15 VTR™ – Byron South Edition The Ultimate Predator Hunting Rifle
• Video Of The Day: Crazy Bucks Fighting In A River
• WANTED : WOMEN HUNTERS !!!
• Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record
• Make your mount look like new
• Funny Hunting Prank
• WINNERS OF THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL’S 9TH ANNUAL GOLDEN MOOSE AWARDS
• Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching
• Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in MI

News Release Published: January 26, 2009 by the West Central Region

Contact(s): Jordan Weeks, DNR fisheries biologist, La Crosse, 608-785-9002

TOMAH – Officials are embarking on an ambitious, two-year project to restore one of Tomah’s most treasured assets – the 251-acre lake that defines the city’s west side.

Lake Tomah is in bad shape. Its turbid waters are beset with excessive algae blooms each summer. There is little in the way of aquatic vegetation. The fishery is dominated by carp, an invasive, bottom-rooting species that is a major contributor to these poor habitat conditions.

In 2008 city officials completed a lake management plan, working in cooperation with the state Department of Natural Resources and the Monroe County Land Conservation Department.

The city intends to partially draw down water levels from September through August 2010 and to treat the lake with rotenone in October to eradicate the carp. During the drawdown, the city plans to dredge a previously excavated sediment trap and to use riprap to armor eroding islands and shoreline.

In mid to late February, under the plan, the DNR will temporarily remove all fish size and bag limits on Lake Tomah, allowing anglers an increased opportunity to harvest fish that will otherwise be destroyed during the chemical treatment. In spring 2010 the lake will be restocked. New size and bag limits will allow various species of game fish to re-establish sustainable populations.

The proposed project is not anticipated to result in significant adverse environmental effects. The DNR has made a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement will not be required. Copies of the environmental assessment that led to the preliminary determination can be viewed at city hall or obtained from the DNR contact person listed below.

Public comments are welcome and should be received by the DNR no later than 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9. Comments can be directed to senior fisheries biologist Jordan Weeks at 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601, by phone at 608-785-9002 or e-mail at Jordan.Weeks@wi.gov.

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

• Video Of The Day – I think we have a blood trail..
• National Pheasant Fest
• Remington® Introduces Model R-15 VTR™ – Byron South Edition The Ultimate Predator Hunting Rifle
• Video Of The Day: Crazy Bucks Fighting In A River
• WANTED : WOMEN HUNTERS !!!
• Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record
• Make your mount look like new
• Funny Hunting Prank
• WINNERS OF THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL’S 9TH ANNUAL GOLDEN MOOSE AWARDS
• Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching
• Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in MI

Lake Erie - Has ice and anglers are taking some walleye in Brest Bay. Most are targeting 18 feet of water when jigging small rapalas or little Cleo’s. Chartreuse and clown have been good colors as well as anything bright. Perch have been caught off the Metro Park Marina But they are hit and miss and alot of small. Near the Banana Dike pearch and small walleye are being caught when using pink tear drops with minnows. Use caution near the Metro Park boat launch as the ice blew out recently and it may not be safe at this time.

Detroit River - Perch are still being caught in the canals near Gibraltar. Those fishing the first canal south of Gibraltar were catching lots of perch however many were small. Pink tear drops with minnows worked best.

Port Austin - Fishing was slow with not much angler activity.

Saginaw Bay - Fishing off Palmer Road was good before the cold set in. Walleye anglers were going south toward the Black Hole or northeast to the Catfish Hole. In general, walleye fishing was slow to fair at best throughout the inner bay. Most parties were getting a few walleyes, but it was far from a red-hot bite. They have been fishing in 17 to 20 feet of water off White’s Beach. Off Erickson Road, head out about three and half miles to waters 16 to 20 feet deep and off Linwood fish about 14 to 16 feet of water. At Vanderbilt Park, which is just east of Quanicassee, anglers have caught a few perch in about 6 feet of water or speared a couple pike. Off Thomas Road, anglers were heading out as far as seven miles to waters up to 20 feet deep however the ice out there is marginal. Others are only going out about two and half miles to the Slot and fishing in 16 feet of water and doing just as well. At Sebewaing, a few small perch and the odd pike were taken in the marina. For Mud Creek, perch fishing was slow and pike spearing was spotty.

Tittabawassee River - Had no fishing activity to report at this time.

Saginaw River - Has ice fishing from downtown Saginaw to Bay City. Some walleye were caught downtown Saginaw off Hooters’, between Saginaw and Bay City, and downstream from the Independence Bridge. The ice at Essexville and the mouth of the river is questionable and anglers should NOT try to cross the river channel.

Pigeon River - Fishing in the river and the marina basins was slow. They could see fish, but could not get them to bite

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

West Virginia Hunters Harvest Record 2,064 Black Bears in 2008

WANTED : WOMEN HUNTERS !!!

Fly fisherman’s Chippewa River catch confirmed as world record

Make your mount look like new

Funny Hunting Prank

WINNERS OF THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL’S 9TH ANNUAL GOLDEN MOOSE AWARDS

Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching

January 21, 2009

Contact:

Rick Hargrave (503) 947-6020
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
Fax: (503) 947-6009

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at 10 a.m. to discuss the allocation of Columbia River spring chinook salmon.

The commission will meet via conference call and there will be six public listening sites throughout the state for people interested in following the commission’s deliberations. There will be no public comment. The agenda for this special meeting can be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/

The locations of the listening sites will be:

Salem, ODFW Headquarters Commission Room, 3406 Cherry Ave. NE

Clackamas, ODFW NW Region Office, Building 16 Conference Room, 17330 SE Evelyn St.

Corvallis, ODFW South Willamette Watershed District Office, Conference Room, 7118 NE Vandenburg Ave.

, 422 Gateway.

The Dalles, ODFW Screen Shop, 3561 Klindt Dr.

La Grande, ODFW NE Region Office, 107 20th St.

The commission will consider a catch-sharing plan that the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted last Friday.

The two states of the Columbia River fisheries and will need to agree on an allocation formula before the 2009 spring chinook season can be set.

Courtesy Of Wisconsin Dnr

HAYWARD – An avid fly fisherman and fishing guide is the latest Wisconsin world record holder for the monster musky he landed on the Chippewa River with a fly rod.
Brad Bohen (background) and Derek Kuehl (foreground) display their “musky double”.
Contributed Photo

The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum notified Brad Bohen of Hayward last week that the 51.25-inch musky he caught Oct. 16, 2008, was indeed a world fly rod record for a released fish on a 36-pound tippet, according to Emmett Brown, the Hall’s executive director.

Get a look at Bohen’s catch and read his story of how he landed this fantastic fish in Record Musky on the Fly.

“I’ve never been a record chaser by nature, but I must admit that I am tickled to be in this position,” Bohen says. “I give all the credit to Tom Greenup for his wonderful guiding and oarsmanship that day as well as good fishing buddy Derek Kuehl, who had invited me along on the trip after having a fellow angler cancel out.”

Bohen, who would say only that he caught his musky below the Winter dam but above Lake Holcombe, says that the real story of that day was that not only did he catch a magnificent fish, but within moments, “Derek also hung into a record class beast of his own (fish measured 45 inches) and we proceeded to execute an almost unheard of musky double on a fly!”

Bohen, who guides and currently caretakes at the Winneboujou Club on the Brule River, joins a sizeable and storied group of Wisconsin anglers who have hauled in record fish. Four world records were set in the Hayward area in the late 1940s, including the 69-pound 11-ounce monster Louis Spray pulled from the Chippewa Flowage in 1949.

In more recent years, Wisconsin fly fishermen have also added to the record haul, including three new fly fishing catch and release musky records set in 2008 in addition to Bohen’s. Bill Flader set a new record for 14-pound tippet with the 40-inch musky he pulled from the Chippewa River in Sawyer County; Tom Peterson set two new records, for the 43-inch musky he pulled from North Twin Lake in Vilas County on 50-pound tippet and the 41-inch musky he landed on Kentuck Lake in Forest/Vilas counties to set a record in the “unlimited tippet” category.

Wisconsin also owns a corner of a fifth fly fishing musky record set in 2008: Tom Peterson pulled a 46-inch musky from Smokey Lake, which is mostly in Michigan’s Iron County but also touches Vilas County.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Bohen, aftonangler@bradbohen.com; Emmett Brown, Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, www.freshwater-fishing.org (exit DNR

Other Cool Stuff On Domka Outdoors

WANTED : WOMEN HUNTERS !!!

 Funny Hunting Prank

WINNERS OF THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL’S 9TH ANNUAL GOLDEN MOOSE AWARDS

Two Michigan State Police Troopers Admit To Deer Poaching

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe River - A few anglers are still targeting steelhead and walleye up near the dam at Berrien Springs. With few anglers in the area, this is a good time of year to fish and have plenty of room to do so.

Magician Lake - In Cass County is producing a few nice perch and some walleye in the evening. Pike and bluegills have also been caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Walleye are hitting on bucktail jigs fished off the east wall and the Fulton Street Bridge. For steelhead, anglers are dragging Hot-n-Tots under a bobber. Chartreuse, chrome, or blue and chrome were good colors. The Bayous have ice and have started to produce good catches of panfish.

Grand River at Lansing - Those willing to put in the time might find some walleye below the North Lansing Dam or the Moore’s Park Dam. Try bucktail jigs.

Lake Lansing - Pike are still hitting but they are small. Look for bluegill and crappie in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Morrison Lake - Has fair to good crappie fishing at night when using minnows 10 to 15 feet down in 25 to 30 feet of water.

Reeds Lake - Anglers are spearing pike on the east end of the lake. Perch are hitting on spikes or very small shiners in 30 to 40 feet of water. Crappie have been caught between 9am and 4pm when fishing halfway down in 25 to 30 feet of water. For bluegills, try clear sewing thread 10 feet off the bottom in 25 to 30 feet of water.

Dean Lake - Near Rockford, has bluegills hitting on red and white spikes or wax worms. Anglers are still taking the occasional pike and muskie.

Muskegon Lake - Continues to build ice however anglers are reminded how dangerous the ice can be near the channel and heading up into the river. Those fishing over near the Sand Docks in the southwest corner of the lake have caught perch and a couple walleye in 40 to 55 feet of water. Minnows take the bigger fish however a Swedish Pimple with a fish eye also works. The water is a bit murky so try bright colored flies or glow tear drops. There have been rumors of a large pike in the northeast corner however no one has managed to catch it.