GLF

Must be the cat has everyone's tongue(fingers). Maybe I should ask this question after the Brown Blast. Mums the word!

If you was on a limited budget, and getting started in salmon fishing, how would you rig your boat for fishing? Remember, every piece of equipment and tackle will need to be purchased. You can leave out the electronics. How much money would you need to rig your boat. This includes rods, reels, and tackle. Do you start out with riggers, or do you start out with lead core and pick up the riggers later?

The currents down deep can be different then the currents on the surface. How many of you are using speed sensors with your riggers? What are you using and how do you like it?

ahhhh come on Dan.....what could go wrong????

Offers Great Opportunity for Families to GO-Get Outdoors Michigan's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend, Feb. 18-19, is a great time for families to bundle up, get outdoors and go fishing. For these two days, residents and nonresidents can fish without purchasing a fishing license, though all other fishing regulations still apply. Anglers 17 or older who plan to fish on the President's Day holiday, Monday, Feb. 20, must possess a valid fishing license. Winter Free Fishing Weekend is designed to invite people out to discover that Michigan provides great fishing fun even in winter. Although recent mild temperatures have made it unsafe for ice fishing in many parts of the state, there still is plenty of angling opportunity from piers; from shore along rivers, streams and canals and from boats where there is plenty of open water. Where conditions allow fishing through the ice, the Department of Natural Resources reminds all anglers to dress warm, use the buddy system, always wear a life jacket and use caution when traveling across any ice.

Lake trout rebound prompts proposal Responding to a strong comeback in the lake trout population, the Minnesota DNR soon may permit limited commercial fishing for the species in Minnesota waters of Lake Superior. The Duluth News Tribune reports commercial fishermen would be allowed to take a small number of fish while providing research data on their catch to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The proposed change would mark the first significant step toward a commercial lake trout fishery in Minnesota since netting was banned in 1962. In December, the Minnesota DNR proposed allowing commercial harvest of 3,000 lake trout in a zone near the Canadian border. "If anything, it's a reflection that the lake is in pretty decent shape," said Don Schreiner, Lake Superior area fisheries supervisor with the Minnesota DNR. "If we're considering a commercial fishery along with a sport fishery in certain parts of the lake, we've come a long way from where we were." The lake trout population has rebounded steadily since the late 1980s. Natural reproduction has increased over the past 15 years, and the proportion of wild lake trout in spring surveys has increased from 45 to 75 % in the past 10 years, according to the DNR. Currently, Minnesota allows a handful of commercial fishermen to take a few hundred lake trout annually as part of DNR research. Members of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa also are allowed to take a limited number of lake trout based on 1854 treaty rights. In Wisconsin, 10 state-licensed commercial fishermen are allotted 10,750 lake trout annually. Anglers take about 19,000 lake trout per year in Minnesota waters, according to the DNR. The program would be conducted on an experimental basis, and fishermen would be issued permits allowing them to use specific gear and to harvest a specified number of fish, Schreiner said. The allotment of 3,000 fish has been proposed for zone MN-3 reaching from the Cascade River to the Canadian border. Other zones are MN-1, from Duluth to near Two Harbors, and MN-2, from near Two Harbors to the Cascade River. Currently, two commercial fishermen in MN-3 are permitted a total of 600 lake trout in the spring and 600 in the fall while providing data about the fish to DNR officials. The spring assessment quota of 600 fish would continue, but the fall assessment quota would be rolled into the 3,000 harvest total, Schreiner said. As bright as the lake trout picture is in Lake Superior, there's a dark side, too. Despite concerted efforts to control lampreys, the ocean invaders still kill about half of all lake trout in Lake Superior, Schreiner said. The federal government leads efforts to control lamprey, primarily by treating their spawning tributaries with chemicals. Lamprey numbers exploded -- nearly doubling in western Lake Superior -- during the past year. Crews trapped 9,478 lamprey in the Brule River trap in 2005, three times last year's catch and the most ever in the barrier's 20-year history, according to the Wisconsin DNR.

Large 2003 walleye and yellow perch hatches should be plus for anglers COLUMBUS, OH - Lake Erie anglers should experience excellent fishing opportunities in 2006, say fisheries biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. "We are excited about the outstanding fishing opportunities on Lake Erie for a variety of species in 2006,†said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager at ODNR. "The large 2003 hatch should provide large numbers of good-sized walleye and yellow perch, while quality smallmouth bass and steelhead trout fishing also will available to Lake Erie anglers." Knight noted that access to good fishing in the Western and Central basins can be found through the large number of charter boats in Ohio and at numerous public boat ramps, private marinas, and shoreline areas. Walleye Anglers can expect this year’s Lake Erie walleye fishery to be dominated by hatches from 1999, 2001 and 2003. Fish from the 1999-year class will range from 21 to 25 inches; fish from 2001 will range from 19 to 21 inches; and those from 2003 will be 17 to 20 inches over the course of the fishing season. Some large walleye from the strong hatches of the 1980s and mid 1990s still persist in the population, providing “Fish Ohio†trophy (more than 28 inches) opportunities. “Weather conditions played a major role in the lake’s distribution of walleye in 2005. With extremely warm water temperatures, walleye moved further east and they remained there longer,†said Knight. “If water temperatures remain cool in 2006, we should have a phenomenal walleye fishery in the West and Central basins of Lake Erie.†The daily bag limit increases to four fish during March and April for the 2006 fishing season and will remain at six fish May through February. The 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season. Most of the fish from the exceptionally abundant 2003 hatch will be of legal size during the 2006 fishing season. Yellow Perch Perch anglers fishing the Ohio waters of Lake Erie should also be pleased with this year’s catches. Fish from a good 2001 hatch will range from 9-12 inches, with Central Basin fish running larger than those in the Western Basin. Anglers should expect to catch large numbers of perch from an exceptionally strong hatch in 2003. “The average size of yellow perch available to anglers in 2006 should improve, as the large 2003 year-class likely will be in the 8- to 10-inch range,†said Knight. Peak fishing will occur from August through October, but early summer fishing should also be rewarding, especially in the Central Basin. Some “Fish Ohio†perch (more than 13 inches) will be available. Schools of these “jumbos†are not abundant, but often can be in found in relatively shallow rocky areas feeding on gobies and other prey fish. Ohio's daily bag limit for yellow perch increases to 40 fish per angler for the 2006 season. Smallmouth Bass Lake Erie anglers should anticipate good smallmouth bass fishing this year. Traditional "hot spots" such as the Lake Erie islands, the Western Basin reef complex, Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, and harbor breakwalls from Lorain to Conneaut, all traditionally produce good numbers of smallmouth bass and the potential to catch a trophy (more than 5 pounds). Fishing pressure tends to be highest around the islands and nearshore areas of the western half of Ohio waters. Smallmouth bass anglers can expect to land "smallies" from 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, and 2001-year classes, now ranging in size from 14 to 19 inches and weighing 1.5 to 4 pounds. A closed season remains in effect from May 1 through June 23, during which all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. The daily bag limit after June 23 will remain at five fish with a 14-inch minimum length limit. Steelhead Trout Peak steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from Vermilion to Conneaut, from June through August, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. Most anglers trolling for steelhead in deep waters use spoons with dipsy divers or downriggers. Many charter guides now offer steelhead charters as an alternative to traditional walleye charters. Lake Erie steelhead move into Central Basin streams during fall through winter and provide excellent fishing opportunities for wading anglers throughout the fall, winter and spring months. The ODNR Division of Wildlife maintains this popular fishery by releasing approximately 400,000 steelhead trout each spring in the Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin and Grand rivers, as well as Conneaut Creek. Because of the changing conditions of Lake Erie, such as increases in water clarity and aquatic vegetation, there are additional options for anglers fishing in nearshore areas. Many bays and harbors 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 these vegetated harbors. Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly and adjustments are often necessary to improve their success. Anglers should take into account such factors as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structure, and the amount of bait fish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather while fishing and to seek safe harbor before storms approach. During the season, ODNR provides an updated, recorded Lake Erie fishing report at 1-888-HOOKFISH and online at ohiodnr.com . ODNR Division of Wildlife staff members are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 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 visitor’s 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 The ODNR Division of Wildlife maintains a series of web pages describing its 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. Access this info at: www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/fishing/fairport/index.htm

Just curious Steve....How much did the buoy weigh?

Mmmm...fresh steelhead!

Where is the picture of you holding your fish? Guess we know who the fisherman(fisherwoman) is in your family

Looks like the waves are getting bigger. Should be some good shots tomorrow.

I picked up a couple of gla magazines, because I considered advertising the site in it. In both of the magazines there was only a few articles and everything else was advertisements

My biggest fish came out of Ludington in the 70's. I do not know what year it was, but I do remember it was a 22lb King.

Hi Matt, Welcome to the site. The fishing bug is a hard one to shake. Once you are bitten, it only gets worse. Mike

Welcome to the site. Thats a beauty you have in your avatar. I'm not talking about the guy holding the fish Is that a recent picture? Mike

Here is the link for the beach camera in South Haven. http://webcams.fbv.mhe.viapointe.com/wwmt/southhaven.jpg

I see the February issue of Woods-N-Water News has an article in it about them fishing from around dark till midnight. The title is "Preperation is the a prerequisite for an introduction to Great Lakes fishing.

I am still laughing after reading this

I believe I have all of the bugs worked out of the forums. We are ready to grow. I would like to encourage everyone to invite their friends. Alot of you have done this already, and I really appreciate it. I was still in the process of putting the forums together when I opened the forums on January 8th. We are now sitting on 56 members and growing every day. This is a very good number considering we have not done any advertising. Thanks, Mike

I just checked the marine forecast from St. Joseph to Grand Haven. I may have to take a ride to South Haven after work on Sunday to check it out. GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON EST TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON TODAY NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS INCREASING TO 35 KNOT GALES LATE THIS AFTERNOON. MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS. WAVES 1 TO 3 FEET BUILDING TO 3 TO 6 FEET IN THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. TONIGHT NORTHWEST GALES TO 35 KNOTS. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY. WAVES 6 TO 10 FEET BUILDING TO 8 TO 12 FEET. SUNDAY NORTHWEST GALES TO 45 KNOTS. SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY. WAVES 8 TO 12 FEET. SUNDAY NIGHT NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY. WAVES 6 TO 10 FEET.

For those that were having problems logging in with the Welcome Block on the home page I believe I have fixed the problem. You may have to clear your cookies and then log back in. If anyone is still having problems, drop me a pm or send me an email. Mike

The Brown Blast is just around the corner and will be upon us before we know it. Any care to share any info, or tips on how to catch browns in the spring? Baits, depth, techniques, what to look for?

Let me add to this question. At what point does a boat become untrailerable? How big is to big to tow?

There are lots of books out on how to fish for salmon and trout on the Great Lakes. Is there one book that is better than the rest for learning how to fish for salmon and trout on the Great Lakes? If you were to purchase one book to learn from, which one would you get?

Is there a chart that tells how fast different baits can be trolled or is this something that is learned from time ont he water?