The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, awarded the first construction contract for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project on November 27. The $15.5 million contract was awarded to Miami Marine Services for site preparation and riverbed rock removal for the engineered channel. Miami Marine will partner with Michels Construction, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for completion of this contract.

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Protecting the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive carp has bipartisan support in Michigan, with Gov. Whitmer pledging $64 million to match a $50 million commitment from Illinois, unlocking $274 million in federal funds for the project.

Michigan has participated in discussions and feasibility studies on how to best protect the Great Lakes for more than 10 years and previously contributed $8 million in support of the nonfederal funding for the planning, engineering and design phase of this project.

Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, was identified as the critical pinch point where layered technologies could be used to stop invasive carp populations from moving into the Great Lakes.

Invasive carp can grow up to 60 pounds, eating 40% of their body weight each day. Each female can produce 1 million eggs. Given their high reproduction and consumption rates, it would take as few as ten female and ten male carp crossing into the Great Lakes to establish a population.

If established, invasive carp could outcompete native species and greatly harm the ecology and economy of the entire Great Lakes region, including rivers and inland lakes, and its $20 billion fishing and boating industries.

Thanks to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

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One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural and cultural resource management. Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpage for updates.

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March Meetings

• Accessibility Advisory Council – Tuesday, March 7, 9 a.m. (Contact: Mike Holsinger, 517-284-5946).
• Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee – Thursday, March 16, 9 a.m. (Contact: Barbara Graves, 517-284-6135).
• Board of Foresters – Thursday, March 16, 9 a.m. (Contact: Brenda Haskill, 989-370-9557).
• Lake Erie/St. Clair Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee – Thursday March 23, 10 a.m. (Contact: Jim Francis, 517-242-3593).
• Michigan Freedom Trail Commission – Friday, March 31, 11 a.m. (Contact: Sheri Giffin, 517-231-1299).
• Michigan Iron Industry Museum Advisory Board – Tuesday, March 14, 3 p.m. (Contact: Barry James, 906-475-7857).
• Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, March. 9, 8 a.m. coffee with commissioners; 9 a.m. meeting (Contact: Jennifer Callen, 517-331-7792).
• Michigan Wildlife Council – Monday, March 6, 9 a.m. and Wednesday, March 22, 9 a.m. (Contact: Pam Vance, 517-284-6056).
• Off-road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup – Thursday, March 16, 2 p.m. (Contact: Jessica Holley-Roehrs, 517-331-3790).
• Snowmobile Advisory Workgroup – Thursday, March 2, 10 a.m. (Contact: Anna Centofanti, 517-331-6219).
• State Historical Records Advisory Board – Wednesday, March 8, 1 p.m. (Contact: Sheri Giffin, 517-231-1299).
• Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council – Friday, March 24, 10 a.m. (Contact: Kimberley Korbecki, 517-582-3220 or 517-284-5876).
• Trails Advisory Council – Thursday, March 23, 1 p.m. (Contact: Anna Centofanti, 517-331-6219).
• Western Upper Peninsula Citizens Advisory Council – Tuesday, March 21, 6 p.m. EDT (Contact: Stacy Welling Haughey, 906-226-1331).

The post March DNR Meetings: Land Review, Fisheries, Wildlife, Parks and more appeared first on Fishing Information Network.

Fifty-one years and counting, and this year – as Michigan residents still seek out safe, socially distant relief from the COVID-19 pandemic – it may be more important than ever to recognize Earth Day and the value of healthy, abundant, public outdoor spaces.

While people around the world will recognize Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, in ways big and small, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is taking the opportunity to highlight yet another reason to celebrate: the department’s centennial anniversary. The DNR’s forerunner, the Department of Conservation, was established in 1921 (March 30, 1921, to be exact).

“We are blessed in Michigan with fresh water, thriving forests, and diverse fish and wildlife populations,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “These unmatched resources not only provide the backdrop for year-round outdoor recreation adventures, they also contribute in a big way to local, regional and state economies.

“During this, our centennial year, and on Earth Day, in particular, it makes sense to shine a light on the many ways residents can lend their energy, action and voice to conservation and volunteer efforts that serve and protect our natural resources. We also want to offer ideas and opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, explore new recreation pursuits and learn a little more about the history of our department and many partners.”

Here are a few ways to get started:

Enjoy a conversation on the shared history of the DNR and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. How is the modern environmental movement in Michigan rooted in the concerns of early hunters and fishers? What are the big environmental and conservation issues that will face us in the next 100 years? Hear Eichinger, EGLE Director Liesl Clark and author Dave Dempsey talk about conservation, environmentalism and why it all matters to you. Look for it on the DNR Facebook page on Earth Day.

Explore the DNR centennial webpage, where you’ll find an interactive timeline and story map capturing conservation milestones and accomplishments, 100 ways to explore and enjoy Michigan’s natural and cultural resources, and a variety of Showcasing the DNR stories (including an Earth Day-themed one coming out Thursday) that capture interesting chapters of department history.

Make a difference. There are many ways to take action to protect the outdoor places you love. Clean up a forest dump site. Help clear out invasive plant species at your favorite state park. Practice the “leave no trace” ethic every time you visit the outdoors. Be a campground, harbor or lighthouse host. Participate in meetings where important resource decisions are made. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers and get inspired to get involved!

The post Reasons to celebrate Earth Day every day appeared first on Fishing Information Network.

If you’re headed out fishing, please do your part to keep yourself and others safe by following COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines. Go fishing only if you’re feeling well. Practice proper social distancing (at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your household) and keep a face covering handy for when social distancing cannot be maintained. Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.

Ice fishing has taken off in the northern sections of the state. Those getting out on inland lakes to the north are getting bluegills and pike. The southern half of the Lower Peninsula had no safe ice yet.

All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

There is no safe ice in this area, as most of the inland lakes are partially open or have skim ice only.

Lake Erie: Boat anglers continue to catch walleye, including some limits. The action was good for those using color bandits in and around Brest Bay.

Lake St. Clair: Skim ice has formed in the marinas, canals and back waters, but there is no fishable ice. There are no docks at the state launches. Boat anglers are still using Harley Ensign, which has open water, and Blossom Heath when breaking through skim ice. The Selfridge launch is iced in with thin ice. The few boat anglers out are targeting walleye, musky and yellow perch. Those fishing off the docks did well for panfish.

St. Clair River: Some of the best action was walleye fishing in the upper river. Many were vertical jigging.

Saginaw Bay: Had almost no fishing activity, as ice conditions are not good. Whites Beach and Pinconning had only a couple inches, which was spotty at best. Off Linwood, the only activity was in the marina, but no fish were caught. Anglers were fishing in shallow water between Sebewaing and Port Austin; however, ice conditions vary so anglers need to use extreme caution. Catch rates were poor.

Saginaw River: Had almost no anglers, as areas had either thin ice or open water.  The boat launches are iced in, and areas on the lower river were 75% ice-covered. Upstream toward Saginaw had shore ice with open water in the middle. In Saginaw, it was open water; however, the launches were iced in and not usable at this point.

Tittabawassee River: There is a lot of ice jammed up in several places from the Tittabawassee Road Bridge downstream, making fishing difficult to impossible. From the Caldwell launch upstream is relatively open and ice-free. Conditions change all the time, and the ice could bust loose and open the river up at any time.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Inland lakes in the area have snow on top of thin ice and will need more time before anglers can get out. Boats are fishing the bigger rivers for steelhead, but launches are starting to ice up, making it more difficult.

St. Joseph: A couple pier anglers were out targeting steelhead. When they can get out, boat anglers were fishing close to shore.

Grand River near Grand Rapids: Anglers are still getting some steelhead on spawn or when floating a jig tipped with a wax worm.

Rogue River: Is also producing some steelhead in the lower river. Most are using a jig with a wax worm.

Muskegon River: Continues to produce some steelhead and pike.

White River: Those fishing down near the mouth caught a couple steelhead.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Montmorency County: McCormick Lake had open water over half of the lake and just a couple inches of ice at the boat launch. Those using tip-ups and slammer rods with minnows in shallow water caught a couple small brown trout and rainbow trout. East Twin Lake was producing small perch.

Fletchers Pond: Has ice near the public access site; however, avoid the pressure cracks and use extreme caution as ice thickness is variable. Anglers were targeting pike with tip-ups and panfish with small jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes, though the panfish bite was slow. Largemouth bass were caught and released on tip-ups.

Higgins Lake: The south end had thin ice only, no safe ice yet. The north end had open water. No anglers have been out.

Houghton Lake: Ice fishing is going strong; however, anglers should stay clear of any inlets and outlets and the western part of the East Bay and avoid crossing any pressure cracks. Anglers are getting lots of small perch along with a few keepers. Bluegills were caught when fishing multiple holes to find schools of fish around the weed beds. Most are using tear drops with mousies, wax worms and spikes. The best walleye bite was in the early morning. Pike were more active early morning and at night.

Lake St. Helen: Anglers are ice fishing, though caution needs to be used near any inlets or outlets where snowmobiles have gone through. Those fishing have caught a few walleye, crappie and pike.

Tawas: A few boats going out of the Tawas River were trolling and jigging for walleye in 20 to 30 feet. Those trolling body baits were getting a few fish down towards Alabaster.  Ice conditions off Access Road near Jerry’s Marina are very sketchy at best, and extreme caution needs to be used. A few walleye anglers using jigs tipped with minnows in 7 to 10 feet caught a couple keepers, but most were too small.

Au Gres: Those fishing Northport Marina reported good pike fishing when using tip-ups.  Pike were also caught inside Eagle Bay Marina. A few perch anglers were reported off Palmer Road, but no reports of any fish caught.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

While some lakes had enough ice for anglers to start getting out, apparently the ice is not safe on all the lakes in the area.

Manistee Lake: In Kalkaska County had a few anglers out fishing.

Lake Missaukee: Had ice anglers targeting panfish and pike.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Ice fishing is going full bore on both lakes. Anglers have caught panfish, pike and a couple walleye.

Manistee River: Not many anglers were out, but those braving the cold were rewarded with the occasional steelhead.

Hamlin Lake: Had a few anglers; however, extreme caution needs to be used as ice thickness is very inconsistent.

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Upper Peninsula

Dickinson County: Inland lakes in the area have ice and had some slush after a warm, sunny day. Anglers are targeting pike and panfish.

Manistique River: Had a fair number of steelhead.

Munuscong Bay: Had ice suitable for walking on near the shoreline, allowing anglers to get out and catch decent numbers of perch.

Cedarville and Hessel: Had the occasional angler fishing around the Les Cheneaux Islands; however, ice thickness is not uniform or stable. A few perch were caught off the bottom in Hessel Bay when jigging wax worms. The south side of Musky Bay is open water.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources continues its partnership with the Outdoor Channel on production of the 2021 season of its television series “Wardens.”

New episodes air on the Outdoor Channel every Monday at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The show also continues to be available on Negaunee-based station WLUC Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

Focusing on ice fishing, bear hunting, opening day of firearm deer hunting season and more, the episodes will showcase the law enforcement work of DNR conservation officers, as well as the science behind the DNR’s natural resources management efforts.

“Since the show began filming in Michigan in 2017, 39 episodes have aired and viewership is over 28 million!” said David Haupt, analyst in the DNR’s Gladwin Field Office who helps coordinate production. “We’re excited to continue offering people a closer look at what the DNR does to take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources.”
Michigan-based Wolf Creek Productions is filming episodes at locations around the state with conservation officers and staff members from other DNR divisions who will be featured throughout the season.

On the air since 2011, “Wardens” chronicles the lives of conservation officers in America. To learn more about the show, visit OutdoorChannel.com/Wardens.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. To learn more about their work, visit Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficer.

Contact: David Haupt, 989-426-9205, ext. 226-7614

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