March, 2010

conservation — Comments Off
Mar 31
2010

Michigan Sea Grant Educational Events

Michigan Sea Grant is one of 30 university-based programs in coastal states administered through NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Michigan Sea Grant funds research, education, training and extension projects in an effort to promote responsible use and conservation of Great Lakes resources.

Check out the upcoming events for Lake Michigan:

Muskegon Charter Boat Association Seminar Series
April 1, 2010 (Thursday)
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bluffton Bay Marina, Bayside Centre, 3006 Lakeshore Drive, Muskegon , MI 49441
$5 Suggested Donation; RSVP to info AT muskegoncharterboatassociation DOT com

Invasive Species Update: Asian Carp and Lamprey Hunters – Dan O’Keefe, MI Sea Grant, Extension Educator
Brown Trout Tactics – Captain Tom Manthei, Reel Action Fishing Charters
River Steelhead Tactics – Captain Kyle Buck, Great Lakes Guide Service

South Haven Regional Fishery Workshop
April 27, 2010 (Tuesday)
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Lake Michigan College, 125 Veterans Blvd., Room 141, South Haven, MI 49090
No Charge; RSVP to frein AT msu DOT edu or (616) 994-4580, Refreshments to be provided by South Haven Steelheaders

Understanding the Decline and Partial Recovery of Perch Fishing in Lake Michigan – Dave Clapp, MDNRE Charlevoix Station, Manager
Who is Catching What and Where? 2009 Charter Data – Donna Wesander, MDNRE Charlevoix Station, Fisheries Technician Specialist
Asian Carp – An Imminent Invasion? – Dan O’Keefe, MI Sea Grant, Extension Educator

Grand Haven Great Lakes Night
June 10, 2010 (Thursday)
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus St., Grand Haven, MI 49417
No Charge; RSVP to frein AT msu DOT edu or (616) 994-4580, Refreshments to be provided by Grand Haven Steelheaders

Impact of Recent Invaders on Lake Michigan – Steve Pothoven, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Fishery Biologist
Asian Carp and Other Invaders on the Horizon – Dan O’Keefe, MI Sea Grant, Extension Educator
Fisheries Update and Area Fishing Opportunities – Jay Wesley, MDNRE Fisheries, S. Lk. Michigan Management Unit Supervisor
All Washed Up: Lake Michigan’s Algae Challenge – WI Sea Grant

carp / video — Comments Off
Mar 25
2010

the heart of a champion

We prefer to catch the carp of Beaver Island. Others, apparently, prefer to throw them.

Check out the video here:

Beaver Island Spring Games

brown trout / carp / steelhead — No Comments
Mar 23
2010

3,288 miles

Michigan’s shoreline.  California’s?  840 miles.  The Third Coast altogether?  10,368 miles.  The Great Lakes hold more than 20% of the world’s freshwater, covering an area of over 94,000 square miles.  Despite a long history of pollution, mismanagement, the wanton introduction of exotic species and other various insults too numerous to catalog here, the fishing is still excellent.

We’ve managed to turn almost all those lemons into lemonade.

Should we wallow in guilt at the sight of a well built steelhead pushing up the Pere Marquette? Or should we hook him in the mouth and wrastle him to hand to admire his beauty?  To admire his single minded effort to survive, attacking with a severe purpose all small hooks draped in feathers?  Should we awkwardly wade after night’s fall and be disappointed when the heavy brown trout and not the brook takes our big white mayfly?  Should we warily pole the flats with reservation because the 20lb golden carp are not native to these waters?

I say no.  I say catch that steelhead, catch that brown, stalk that carp, enjoy one of the greatest fisheries left on this green earth.

Pere Marquette steelheadPere Marquette brown trout