Walleye Express

Nice Job Screemer. The walleyes for the most part seem to be podded up tighter this spring then in years past and are seeming to prefer the smaller cranks. But I'm thinking that may have more to do with the massive resurgence of smaller Emerald Shiners in Lake Huron and how the water clarity (clear/dark) seems to be pooling this spring. My biologist bud says the cloudy/clear water pooling has a lot to do with how cold the water temps stayed this spring in the Bay. With the warmer/cloudier river waters mixing in a lot slower with the cold.

Wondering in the back of my mind rather it really was a mis-hap and not my fault for missing that monster walleye last night for my client, I had that question answered today with 2 huge Pike my clients caught and I scooped in the net that required precision technique to get them to even fit in the net. Both went back. So I guess I'm off the hook for now.

After what seemed like a life time of waiting this year, the conditions finally got right tonight. Well, most of them anyway. The Saginaw Bays water clarity was still what I'd consider on the stained side, with maybe 2 feet visibility looking at the #18's Rapala's swimming along side the boat. But it didn't take long late this afternoon about an hour before dark and only 1 hour after we launched that the first strike yanked the middle board out of place. But the fish quickly got off and was gone. About 45 minutes later as the sun was about half gone on the horizon the middle board on the other side with the #14 Husky Jerk/Tennessee Shad flew out of place. As I handed the pole to my lady client (with her husbands permission) I could tell this was a BIG fish. She did fine playing the bruiser in and when I could see the fish I knew it would go 10 pound or more. I was really nervous (for some reason) as I removed the InLine, as the crank was only 18 feet behind the board. I told her to step up front a little and lift with all her might. I wanted to get the monster in one swift scoop. The lady must have been watching the fish real close because she made the classic mistake. As I step between her and the fish to scoop. She leaned over to peak around me to watch. And in doing so dropped the rod tip and gave the fish slack. Moving it away from the net as I was scooping down and in. I don't have to tell you what happened then. I got a net full of Husky Jerk with a monster walleye being dragged on the outside of the net. I tried to lift the fish up and in the boat. But things that weigh 10 pounds up close weigh God knows how much 12 feet away swinging from the mesh of a net. I tried to thrust the net under the fish but there was not enough slack in the bag. And away she finally went. We did end up catching another nice one just 5 minutes before it was time to leave. I know I'm going to wake up in a cold sweat for a while dreaming about that one.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2007 CONTACT: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 Legislation Introduced to Incrementally Increase Hunting and Fishing License Fees Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would incrementally increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses in Michigan over the next six years. The proposed increases for hunting contained in House Bill 4624 begin in 2007 and would be phased in gradually over four years until 2010, and the proposed increases for fishing contained in Senate Bill 406 begin in 2008 and would be phased in gradually over four years until 2011. The legislation also authorizes a 5 percent inflationary increase in license fees for 2012 and 2013. In both bills, the current 60 percent discount that hunters and anglers age 65 and older receive remains at that rate until 2010, when the amount of the discount is reduced by 5 percent each year until 2013, at which time senior licenses will be 40 percent of the corresponding resident license. The current license fee structure was signed into law in 1996, at a time when the Department of Natural Resources was provided more General Fund support in the state budget. Today, the DNR receives only 9 percent of its budget from the General Fund, and one half of those funds are for payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) that pass through the agency and go directly to local units of government. Approximately 76 percent of the DNR’s budget is restricted funds, which are limited by law as to how they can be spent. “As General Fund support for the department has been reduced over the last several years, we have been forced to look at license fee increases so that we can continue the work we do to provide high quality hunting and fishing experiences that hunters and anglers have come to expect in Michigan,†said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “These increases will allow the DNR to maintain its current level of service.†Revenues raised from license fee sales goes to the Game and Fish Protection Fund, a restricted fund that is used for the DNR’s wildlife and fish conservation work in the state. The fund pays for conservation officers, wildlife and fish habitat projects and field biologists, among other expenditures. Without a license fee increase, the DNR will face an $8 million projected shortfall in the Game and Fish Protection Fund in 2008. The deficit increases to more than $40 million by 2010, which would result in significant cuts in staff and programs for the department. Other significant highlights of the legislation include: * Junior licenses for those ages 10-16 will be discounted 50 percent over the cost of regular licenses; * The Natural Resources Commission will have the authority to discount any license; * Nonresident license increases will take full effect the first year of the license package and will not be phased in like the Michigan resident licenses; * The age at which an angler would be required to have a fishing license drops from age 17 to 16; * A deer combination license will be offered that allows the holder to take two deer in compliance with that year’s rules. The price of the combination license in the first year of the license package is the sum of the price of a resident firearm deer license plus the cost of a second resident bow and arrow license; * A new 72-hour or 3-day all-species fishing license will be offered to residents and non-residents. This will allow infrequent or visiting anglers to fish over a three-day period, such as a holiday weekend, without purchasing multiple licenses at a cost below what three, 1-day licenses would cost and below the cost of an annual all-species license. All-species licenses allow anglers to fish for all species, including salmon and trout; * Youth anglers would be required to have a youth fishing license if they plan on keeping the fish that they catch. However, if accompanied by one or more licensed adult anglers, an unlicensed youth can keep the fish they catch as part of the limit of one or more of the adult anglers they are with. Hunters and anglers who already purchased a 2007 license will not be made to retroactively pay for an increase, should the legislation be approved and signed into law by the Governor. For more information on the hunting and fishing license package development and the DNR’s budget, please visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

Bills seek phased-in fee hikes to hunt, fish Without the increase, DNR is headed for a funding shortfall that is expected to keep rising. James Prichard / Associated Press LANSING -- It may soon cost more to bag a buck or to reel in a big one in Michigan. Two state lawmakers have written bills that seek significant, phased-in price increases in the state's hunting and fishing licenses. Some license fees would go up two or three times, or more. Sen. Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor, introduced her fishing fees bill in the Senate on Tuesday, while Rep. Matt Gillard, D-Alpena, was likely to introduce his companion hunting fees bill in the House today, their offices said. If the bills are passed, fees could go up immediately, said Mary Dettloff, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who had not seen the actual language of the bills. Full increases would be phased in over a four-year period, with an additional 5 percent increases in years five and six. Hunting and fishing license fees have not gone up since 1996, she said. Without legislative approval of the proposed fee increases, the DNR is headed for a funding shortfall that is expected to rise from $9 million next year to as much as $46 million by the 2009-10 fiscal year. The cost of a firearm or archery deer license would double from $15 to $30 for Michigan residents during the next four years and rise from $138 to $165 for out-of-state deer hunters.

Yet another good topic. Looking to take a guided fishing trip with my brother. neither of us have done it before. What is the appropriate amount to tip a guide who does a good job, standard 20%? Ryan. Ryan. Fishing is unlike any other job or service. But like other services, it can be easy to very hard. Guides and charter captains simply have a license and not a diploma guaranteeing their knowledge and expertise. We often looks like fishing Gods on Monday and fishing bums on Tuesday. Some do take the job more seriously then others and can actually spoil the fun they are trying to deliver because of it. I've caught myself doing that several times on tough days. I've guided/chartered for 22 years now and I agree with Reel Man. The fees for my services have always been set to cover my expenses and services. Counting on a tip as part of that gratuity could create bad feelings and would be a bad policy for any guide/charter to count on. And some people simply cannot afford to tip after the initial fee, hotels and travel expenses they've already laid out. With that said, I'll say I never refused a tip. With some being as much as 50% of my fee. But here's the fly in the ointment when expecting a tip. I've taken people out and caught them their limit in short order. Had a ball laughing, telling jokes and slapping each other on the backs all day long. Come back to the launch, clean and bag their fish and received only a hand shake, another slap on the back and a wave good bye, never to see them again. Take another group the next day, try my best to get then some fish. End up skunking them out, but receive a big tip with a promise to come back again the next year. All people are different. All have different incomes. I've had some of the same clients for 20 years. Different people expect different things when paying for a fishing trip. Some first timers don't know what to expect. Some have personalities and habits I don't care for. I have habits and a personality you might not care for. I will however always do my best to show, teach and catch you some fish, no matter where our future relationship is headed. If you feel that warrants a tip I'll accept it. If it does not, you still have my thanks for the day and I'll never think any less of you. Capt. Dan.

Heres something to consider. I took this posted answer to my post off another board. Posted 4/16/2007 7:01 AM (#54436 - in reply to #54366) Subject: RE: Mich. License fee increases languish at what cost? Member Posts: 362 Location: Neenah Wi. I'm not a Mich resident but a cheesehead from Wisc.I just bought my license and my resident wisc was as much as my non-resident Mich.I cant believe it has not gone up.It is a small price to pay for all the days I spend on the water.I purchase 3 yearly state licenses and they are all around 30-35 if I remember right.

Neat topic I pulled off another board. I had been naming my waypoints with the date and type of fish caught. For example, I would change waypoint "001" to "05 17 04 Crappie" if I caught crappie in that spot on May 17, 2004. That way it served as a mini log. I knew to look for them in that spot in may. Now that I am starting to use the "find" function... I am thinking that I should go back and rename the waypoints to the body of water.. like "BC 05 17 04 Crappie" so that the different lake waypoints dont sort together. I'm interested in how you GPS manage your waypoints.... What kind of names (if any) do you assign to them? Dave Dave. Mine get named so I can attach them to an easy memory. Most all are named after clients, friends or events that took place on board or with me during the time we caught enough fish to warrant it's membership entry into my GPS waypoint list. I have names like Larry 1 2 and 3. Betty 1 and Betty 2. Meaning while Betty or Larry were fishing with me, we caught lots of fish trolling beteen those points. And I won't forget Betty, Larry or the fish we caught that day. And I haven't. Simply using numbers (without written references IMV) can be confusing and a poor way to remember why you even marked that spot to begin with. Capt. Dan.

I agree Steve. And hopefully the new referendum on sporting equipment we voted in in November will start supplying some or most of the monies needed in the next few years. But we need to stop the bleeding as soon as we can now before the wound gets to infected to heal. If it does heal and comes back again because of mis-managment and pork barrel programs, I to will become part of the silent majority.

Linked to this same subject Bob, is an E-mail I recieved this morning from the Michigan Charter Boat Association (MCBA). MCBA, Board, port Captains Due primarily to budget issues the DNR has suspended Charter Boat inspections for the year 2007. The attached adobe file contains the letter prepared to mail Charter Boat owners. This is just the tip of the iceberg, if a License fee package is not in place by October you may expect more cuts in hunting and fishing programs. I have attempted through meetings, and email the importance of contacting your Legislators in support of the Hunting and Fishing License package, unfortunately Legislators are not hearing enough from supporters only from opponents. Capt. Denny Grinold MCBA State Affairs Officer Now, this decrelation does not effect anybody who fishes tournaments or for fun in our state. And there's always been debate between us (MCBA) Charter captains and the DNR about both the cost and man power used to conduct these inspections. We as charter captains pay $150.00 to $250.00 every two years to have our vessels DNR inspected both at Dry Dock or at Dock Side in alternate years. Of course when DNR officers are inspecting charter boats they cannot be doing other things. And with close to 500 registered charter boats in Michigan, the man power argument is persuasive. And you would think I would be happy about this news, being able to save both some preparation time for the inspection and some fee money because of it's postponement this year. On the surface of course I am, but wonder about what new laws or rules will have to be enacted to make sure and keep my/all charter boats safe and sea worthy in the future, if this temporary fix becomes the norm. These inspections have kept our clients safe and liability insurance costs down lower then most other states that have no such inspection laws. And if independents are brought in there will be no set fast rules, guidelines or reliability tests for individual inspections. This is just part of what can happen and might, to the general publics operating rules, laws and regulations if money constraints force unpopular decisions and cuts. It's my personal view that the cost of gas has been as much to blame for the unpopular license fee increase as anything has. I think the last time licenses fees were raised gas was about $1.19 a gallon. I just spent $49.00 to fill my truck up last time I did. This weekly rage I feel every time I fill up (excuse the punn) fuels and spills over to anything I see as taking extra money out of my pocket. But the alternative stinks just as bad in my view.

That spawned out male looks like he had some rough spawning partners.

MCBA, Board, port Captains Due primarily to budget issues the DNR has suspended Charter Boat inspections for the year 2007. The attached file contains the letter prepared to mail Charter Boat owners. This is just the tip of the iceberg, if a License fee package is not in place by October you may expect more cuts in hunting and fishing programs. I have attempted through meetings, and email the importance of contacting your Legislators in support of the Hunting and Fishing License package, unfortunately Legislators are not hearing enough from supporters only from opponents. Capt. Denny Grinold MCBA State Affairs Officer

Michigan's DNR programs and budget needs that run and keep vital programs going are in serious trouble. There will be a program shortfall in the millions this year. Blame anybody or everybody you want, but the fact is additional funds (via license fees) are needed to keep the most vital resource programs alive. The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) voted to raise both the Hunting and Fishing Licence for this 2007 season to keep the most important of these alive . But for lack of support from the public it may languish, not be voted on or die in comity. Legislators have received many more (NO) letters and E-mails then (YES). And it is not my intention here to solicit a yes vote or chastise a no vote. But please, whatever your opinion on the matter let your legislators know. When things start being cut or changed because of these results one way or the other. Know at least you voiced your honest opinion.

Rich. Thank you for making me even more grateful for having both my pups.

Caz. The pain you feel is far from stupid. My hunting dog Otter is 9 and is laying by my side as I type this. We've shared a lot of good times and I suspect we'll share a few more before his time is up. What other living things in our lives totally accept us as we are and continually strive to please us. In My faith it's taught that dogs have no souls and are not accepted into heaven. I can only believe then that God never had a dog.

Pulled from another board. When pulling plugs below dams and heavy current areas how much does current affect the dive curve on any given plug? Thanks Dave Dave. The quick answer. Faster deeper. Slower shallower. I've had many years of experience in all kinds of river currents doing what Drift Boaters call "Pulling Plugs". That is, while using the oars to hold or slip the boat slightly in the current, and letting the current pull the plugs ahead making them dive and work in the current ahead of the boat. A deadly technique for all types of river game fish. And have a little experience doing what would be called "Trolling Plugs" against the current while under power using an outboard. Not having made a study of each, but having 22+ years of guiding experience doing both pulling/trolling cranks, I know there is no stead fast (feet out to lure down) rule when it comes to plugs and river current. Unless you fish either a very deep river with consistent current speeds, where your lure will never be near any type or barriers, obstacles or bottom. Or a shallower river that has consistently the same depth and current speed with no obstructions of any kind (top or bottom) in that system. There are just to many current speed variables in any system with Logs, Rocks, Holes, Corners, Bars, Points, Wing dams (and the list goes on) to consistently supply a constant moving liquid force, to reliably/verifiably figure out how deep any given lure will dive in all systems and current types. In river systems I fish a lot, I've discovered (in the long run) it's best to keep a mental record of how many feet out any given crank you use is, in any given spot. And at what optimum length that was when you had your best luck. Sounds tough, but success is the best teacher and imprints the longest memories. Capt. Dan.

Took this question and my answer to it from anoother board. I always struggle with walleye success very early in the year. From ice out until the water temp gets to around the lower to mid 60s. Can someone advise what typical timeline can be thought of when considering using minnows, then leaches, then crawler? Is upper 40's to lower 50's too early to consider leaches? What about crawlers? I'd not like to pass up a bait choice as a possiblilty thinking it's too early to try that bait but also not want to waste fishing effort working a bait type that doesn't really stand a chance. Perhaps it's a matter of any of them will work regardless of water temp? Thanks, Andy Andy. Your question is a good one, and one we all ask and think about often. It never hurts to try as many/varied techniques and live or artificial bait choices as you can if the bite is slow. I've always been a student in the school of thought that the fish look for and key in on what's most abundant in any systems at any given time. So with that thinking I'd use (most often) what the weather and water conditions were serving up. If to cold, very few if any worms or crawlers are out and about or being washed into the water systems from rains. And the leeches for the most part set out colder temps and times buried in the mud. So I was strictly a minnow man in any waters colder then 50 degrees. I still believe this to a degree, but have always tempered my thoughts about this subject with some rationality on the matter. I've often spoken about and written that one has to be careful about analyzing what a fish will/should instinctively do while/when comparing it to any rational human conclusions or thinking. Fish (in all cases) are instinctive and opportunistic. They don't have calendars, plan things ahead of times, and don't realize that worms, crawlers and leeches don't like cold weather. But we as humans seem to give them personalities and rational thinking brains to often. We all do it at some point, it's simply human nature. But seldom if ever the nature of the fish. Capt. Dan.

This answer will twist your titty Screamer. How about never more than 3 miles out, and in depths no deeper then 18 Feet all summer. I pray this keeps up this year.

Additional Info on the desease. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus is a serious pathogen of fresh and saltwater fish that is an emerging disease in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. Skin hemorrhages (bleeding) on a fish infected with Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) © Dr Jim Winton (USGS, Seattle WA), Dr Mohamed Faisal (MSU, Lansing MI) and Dr Paul Bowser (Cornell, Ithaca NY) VHS virus is a rhabdovirus (rod shaped virus) that affects fish of all sizes and ages. It does not pose any threat to human health. VHS causes hemorrhaging of skin, muscle, and internal organs, and death follows. Some fish infected with VHS will develop antibodies to the virus and will survive. However, after a period of time the fish may start shedding virus again and spread the disease to other fish. In Wisconsin's Great Lakes Based on the diagnosis of VHS virus in Chinook, walleye, and lake whitefish from Lake Huron in 2006, fisheries biologists believe the virus is probably already in Lake Michigan, and ballast discharged from ships may have moved the virus to port cities on Lake Superior. In Fall 2006, the DNR, with the help of the US Fish and Wildlife Service La Crosse Fish Health Center and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, tested spawning Chinook and coho salmon, brown trout, lake whitefish, bloater chubs, and yellow perch from Lake Michigan for VHS virus. Spawning lake trout, gobies, yellow perch, and emerald shiners from Lake Superior were also tested. VHS virus was not detected in any species. What are the clinical signs of VHS? The clinical signs of VHS may include hemorrhaging (bleeding), unusual behavior, anemia, bulging eyes, bloated abdomens, and the rapid onset of death; however, these symptoms could apply to many different fish diseases. VHS must be confirmed by lab tests. Additionally, some infected fish may not show any signs and transporting these fish to new locations could spread the disease to new waters. Thumbnails link to larger images. The clinical signs of VHS include hemorrhaging in the muscle tissue and internal organs, pale organs, and bulging eyes. © Dr Jim Winton (USGS, Seattle WA), Dr Mohamed Faisal (MSU, Lansing MI) and Dr Paul Bowser (Cornell, Ithaca NY) How is VHS spread? VHS virus is shed in the urine and reproductive fluids of fish into the water and the virus can survive in water for at least 14 days. Virus particles in the water infect the gills of the fish and within 2 days, the infected fish will start shedding the virus. Thus, water discharged from live wells, bilges and bait buckets can spread the virus from infected waters. Moving live, infected fish from one location to another will also spread the virus. Fish can also become infected by eating an infected fish. Other ways that the virus may be spread include natural fish movements, recreational boating/angling, birds, ballast water discharge, and research activities. Emergency Rule - Controlling the spread of VHS The Natural Resources Board on April 4, 2007, adopted an amended emergency Administrative rule [PDF 240KB] that will aid the Department in controlling the spread of VHS to inland waters. This emergency rule goes into effect on Sunday, April 8, 2007. What does the rule mean for anglers? Leeches, worms, and insects are OK. The use of leaches, worms, and insects for bait is not affected by the new rules. In these rules the term bait means all or part of any frog, crayfish, fish, or fish egg. Be careful with live bait. If you want to use live bait (crayfish, frogs, fish, or fish egg), the bait must be a) purchased from a licensed bait dealer, captured legally in the water to be fished, or c) captured in an inland lake or stream and retained for use in another inland lake or stream. Be careful with dead bait. If you want to use dead bait (all or part of any fish, fish egg, crayfish, or frog), the bait must be a) used on Lake Michigan (including Green Bay and tributaries up to the first dam), used on the lake or stream where it was captured, or c) preserved by means other than refrigeration or freezing. Kill your fish after fishing the Great Lakes or Mississippi River. You may not transport live fish or fish eggs (including both bait and game fish) away from waters of the Great Lakes or Mississippi River drainages (including tributaries up to the first dam), except under certain unusual circumstances (contact DNR office for information). Drain your boat and live well. After fishing or boating on the waters of the Great Lakes or Mississippi River (including tributaries up to the first dam), you must immediately drain all water from the boat and boat trailer, including any bilge, ballast tank, bait bucket, and live well. Additional Information about Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) [exit DNR] University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute [exit DNR] Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in New York [exit DNR] VHS Briefing Paper [exit DNR] - Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources VHS Fact Sheet [PDF 994KB] Contact Information For specific information on the VHS virus, please contact: Sue Marcquenski Fish Health Specialist (608) 266-2871

A rubber band stretched under a fishes strain, that suttle tap shooting up my arm when jig fishing, a Rooster Pheasant flushing in front of my dog or 50 Mallards circling overhead on my favorite corn field, are the only things left that still excites me. If you don't believe me ask the wife.

Rattle Tot's 40 to 90 back with a piece of nightcrawler on the belly hook. Stinger Scorpion slider or Spoon Harness rig with Gulp or crawler if things got tough. Gotta love the 2 S's. Simplicity and Success.

April 3, 2007 Contacts: Kelley Smith 517-373-3375, Gary Whelan 517-373-6948 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 Fish Disease Halts Walleye, Pike and Muskellunge Production and Stocking The rapidly increasing distribution of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) in Michigan waters is forcing the Department of Natural Resources to place a one-year moratorium on walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge production and stocking to ensure the disease is not inadvertently spread by DNR activities, and to protect the state’s fish hatchery system. “All of the DNR’s egg sources for walleye and one key source for northern pike are from Great Lakes waters that are, or are highly likely to be, infected with VHSv,†said Kelley Smith, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. “Muskellunge egg sources, as well as two other sources for northern pike are located in very high risk waters, based on our understanding of the movement of bait fish around the state, as well as the amount of recreational and angler boat traffic between those waters and the Great Lakes.†Smith said that currently it is not known whether eggs from these species of fish can be disinfected, adding that disease testing takes four to eight weeks, thus making it impossible to determine which egg sources are infected before moving the eggs into state hatcheries. VHSv has already caused widespread fish mortalities in Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario, and is an international reportable disease. In late 2006, the DNR determined it had spread into Lake Huron, as far north as Cheboygan and Rogers City. The disease entered Michigan waters from the Maritime Region of Canada, likely in the discharge of infected ballast water from cargo ships that took up ballast water in previously infected waters. The virus does not affect humans in any way. “If VHSv would inadvertently infect a state fish hatchery, all of the fish at that facility would have to be destroyed and the hatcheries completely disinfected. The economic loss to our state would be between $40 and $60 million,†Smith said. “Since we only rear coolwater fish at Thompson and Wolf Lake State Fish Hatcheries, incubating potentially infected walleye, muskellunge and northern pike eggs at these two facilities would put at risk all of the state’s production of steelhead, 40 percent of the Chinook salmon and a number of other species.†Prior to making the decision to place a moratorium on the production of these species, the DNR examined a range of options. They included: * Developing isolation areas within existing hatcheries - it was determined that this cannot be done without substantial risk to other fish species in the hatcheries. * Undertaking off-site rearing at other DNR facilities - this was rejected because sufficient water of the proper quality and temperature was not available and appropriate effluent treatment could not be done. * Undertaking off-site rearing at other cooperator facilities - the DNR determined that the liability risk is too great, since contaminating a non-DNR facility with VHSv would result in substantial costs for the DNR to disinfect and clean up the facility. * Obtaining fish from other agencies - this concept was investigated, but genetically compatible sources of walleye and northern pike are not available in the Great Lakes region. However, this may be an option for muskellunge, and is being pursued by the DNR. * Obtaining eggs from other inland sources in Michigan - this option is not feasible because insufficient numbers of fish are available to meet the state’s egg-take needs, and the potential sources of eggs are at high risk of VHSv infection. The DNR is taking the following steps to ensure that walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge production can resume in the future: * Experiments will be conducted this spring on eggs collected from walleye and muskellunge populations in Lakes Erie and St. Clair that are likely infected with VHSv to determine if standard iodine disinfection techniques will work for coolwater fish. If the experiments demonstrate that the standard techniques are effective, then normal coolwater fish production will resume in 2008. * Extensive VHSv surveillance and monitoring of current coolwater broodstock populations will be conducted to allow the DNR to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection in each broodstock population. These efforts should help to identify potential broodstock sources and rearing locations for the future. * Determine other potential out-of-state sources for coolwater fish for future rearing options. * Develop additional backup options to incubate and rear coolwater fish outside of the state’s hatchery system, including the development of fully contained mobile incubation and rearing facilities and the potential use of other off-site incubation and rearing facilities. The cost of additional mobile incubation facilities is approximately $22,500 per one million walleye fry. “Implementation of these measures will require a substantial commitment of effort and dollars, at a cost that will greatly exceed what would be expended for coolwater fish rearing under normal circumstances,†Smith said. “There are no new dollars for such efforts, so we are reprioritizing our existing work plans and budget to ensure the work is accomplished prior to the 2008 coolwater fish production season. We have, however, requested emergency funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, but we do not yet know if and when these funds might be available to help us meet the threat posed by VHSv in the Great Lakes.†For more information on VHSv, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on the Fishing section. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

If you only knew how many compliments and sighs of relief I get when I say "We leave the dock at 8:00am" you'd be shocked. Of course I'm only running one trip a day reguardless if it's a half or a whole day. And walleyes seem to be more cooperative after daylight then do the salmonoid species.

Underwater fence to be built between U.S., Canada April 1, 2007 BY ERIC (NOT SO) SHARP FREE THINKING OUTDOORS WRITER Worried about the continuing arrival of new fish diseases, the U.S. government will spend $2.3 billion to build an underwater fence that will separate American and Canadian waters along the 1,100-mile length of the Great Lakes. Stretching from Duluth, Minn., on Lake Superior to the head of the St. Lawrence River in northern New York, the fence will be funded by a $10 federal excise tax for 10 years on each fishing license sold in the eight states that border the Great Lakes, and a 1 cent surcharge on each minnow or worm bought by anglers. "The idea came to me when I was watching that guy on CNN who rants about how we need a fence along the Mexican border to keep illegal immigrants out," said I.M. Lyon, director of the U.S. Natural Utilities Technical Services (USNUTS). "If we can build a fence to keep out something as big as a Mexican, it should be easy to stop something as small as a fish." A disease called viral hemorrhagic septicemia, which appeared in the Great Lakes in 2005 and caused large fish kills, was traced to the Canadian Maritime provinces. It almost certainly reached the Great Lakes in the ballast water of a ship from Canada. "It was yet another undesirable from north of the border, like Lorne Greene's singing and Bob Probert, and for our biologists, it was the final straw," Lyon said. "The sensible thing to do would be to ban all salfront butter ships from coming into the Great Lakes. But the shipping companies and their clients own too many congressmen and senators for that to happen, so we decided to try the fence. What the heck, if nothing else, it should boost the USNUTS budget." The U.S. government has banned the movement of live bait and game fish out of the eight Great Lakes states and the two Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes. That ban has drawn howls of protest from anglers, who say it is senseless when the fish can swim across borders on their own. "The anglers had a point," said Dr. Wada Loada-Bool, chief researcher at the Government Office of Fish Science (GOOFS). "That ban won't stop the spread of the disease. USNUTS figured out the only way to do it was to keep those nasty Canadian fish from swimming over and infecting our American fish." Loada-Bool said the fence would be like a giant gill net, but with mesh so fine that no fish bigger than a half-inch thick could swim through. The top will float at the surface, and the bottom will extend to the lake beds. As a backup, the fence will be patrolled by 10,000 freshwater pink Amazon River dolphins from South America carrying automatic multishot spearguns mounted on harnesses on their backs. The dolphin program was designed by famed Sino-Franco biologist Dr. Foo LaKrepp at the Basic Animal Neurological Adaptation and Naturalization Administration Service (BANANAS) in Bolles Harbor. "If something gets through the fence, it will set off an alarm, and with 10,000 of those Amazon River dolphins in the lakes, a dozen will never be more than seconds away. The dolphins will be trained to blast every fish in sight near the fence," LaKrepp said. Petty Officer Lou Nahtik, a U.S. Navy special weapons researcher, has been training the dolphins at a secret Navy Organic Weapons Assessment Yard (NOWAY), whose location we can't tell you because then it wouldn't be a secret any more. Nahtik said tests with the pink dolphins have gone well "except for one little hitch. Whenever a boat goes over them faster than 40 miles an hour, the dolphins' sonar seems to register it as a group of escaping fish, and they open up with their spearguns. "During one test run, one of our trainers had a spear come through the bottom of his boat and just miss his keister. But that's not a big problem, because most boats don't go that fast, and there aren't all that many boats out there in the deep water where most of the dolphins will be." Lyon said his office had received several complaints from anglers about the net and dolphin plan, which he attributed to their unwillingness to pay another $10 for their licenses. "Those people don't have a leg to stand on," Lyon said. "I was sitting on a dock in Bolles Harbor last summer when I saw a guy going out for a day of walleye fishing. I suddenly realized that if fishermen could afford $20,000 for a boat, $2,000 for fishing tackle and $200 for beer, they could sure as heck afford $10 for us to build an underwater fence. "So we don't care what the fishermen say. We're starting to build that fence today --

Attachtments regarding recent information and action. Long term, stable funding of the DNR is the ultimate goal. It appears there are additional interests that would like the same for their State run programs also, the 2008 ballot could be loaded. The Legislature is NOT hearing many in support for the License fee increase only from those opposed. It is important that they hear from you now with support or severe cuts in Hunting and Fishing programs may take effect after fiscal year ending this coming October. General tax funding for natural resources management and environmental protection has vanished and our state leaders don’t seem to be concerned! http://www.saginawbay.com/pdf/natural_resource_fact_sheet_member.pdf http://www.saginawbay.com/pdf/conservation_leaders_given_call_to_action.pdf Sent off letters to all reps and the Governor. I'm never thrilled about paying more for anything. But anyboody enjoying any of our resources needs to monitarily support them, and lobby any way we can for our share of the tax or general fund pie. Take the time to (at least verbally) support our natural resources. My Letter. Wanted you the Governor and all my state reps to know that I support the suggested Michigan fishing/hunting license fee increases. I'm not a fan of price hikes but see no other way out of the shorfall you guys got us into. And now our state is faced with budget cuts and lack of funding that will start our beautiful state on it's way to possible resource ruin. I urge you to get off your butt, save and support through general funds or whatever else possible, those things that bring in the Billions to this states economy every year, it's Natural resources. When we have little else left, I'd stilll like to be able to enjoy the beauty and wild bounty of this state.