Anyone who uses waters in any state can play a role in helping to protect against aquatic invasive species (AIS). These are organisms whose, origins are not natural to native waters such as the Great Lakes. If established, they can harm lakes, rivers, wetlands and other water bodies.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently partnered with Wildlife Forever reminding anglers to Trash Unused Bait to help stop the spread of these and other AIS. Highway billboards, wanted posters and ads in local papers distributed throughout the state advise anglers how they can help.
“Educating anglers on the importance of preventing invasive species spread is critical. It’s going to take state, federal and industry partnerships to invest in education to protect our natural resources. I’m glad to see Ohio making that commitment,” said Pat Conzemius, conservation director for Wildlife Forever.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has new invasive species alert documents from its fisheries division. These documents provide identification characteristics, habitat, diet and native range on numerous species and why they are of a local concern, how they may be introduced, and how you can tell them apart from native species.
One of the easiest ways to help prevent accidentally introducing an invasive species or spreading an already established invasive species is to follow these steps: clean, drain, dry and dispose.
This is how you do it:
Clean – remove aquatic plants from boats, boating equipment and boat trailers before launching or placing in the water.
Drain – empty live wells, bilges and all water from boats before leaving an access site.
Dry – your boats and equipment for at least 5 days before launching into a different body of water.Aquatic Invasive Species website button
Dispose – put your unused bait in the trash. Do not release bait into the water.
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The annual lottery for beginning fly-fishing clinics at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery is underway with the drawing deadline set for Aug. 20.
Those selected will practice their skills on a half-mile section of Cold Creek at the hatchery in Erie County.
Ten fly-fishing clinics with 125 available slots available will be offered in sessions on Fridays from 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m. from Sept. 4-Oct. 9, with the exception of Sept. 25. Deadline for submitting a lottery entry is Aug. 20.
To apply, applicants must submit a postcard listing their: name, address, and phone number. The applicant may bring one guest, but the guest’s name must be listed on the postcard at the time of submission. Only one postcard per applicant and guest is allowed and no duplicates may be submitted. Postcards should be sent to: ODNR Division of Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay 45840 Attention: Linda Ringer.
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Kyle Weisenburger of Ottawa finished 10th among boaters in last Saturday’s rescheduled Walmart Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division tournament on Mosquito Lake. His five bass limit weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces.
Several Limaland bass anglers are among the point standings leaders through three Buckeye Division tourneys and two Michigan Division tourneys.
Mike Weiler Sr. of Wapakoneta is ninth and he had a 25th place finish at Mosquito Lake. Wesienburger is 13th. Mike Tuttle of Van Wert is 26th and finished 53rd at Mosquito Lake while Cody Seeger of Lewistown is 39th and finished 27th at Mosquito.
Zach Maisch of Lima is tied for 14th in the Michigan point standings after finishing 15th on the Detroit River on July 11. Curt Fiesinger of Minster is 21st in the standings.
The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 8-10 Regional Championship on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland.
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Anyone who has been around the outdoors in recent years understands the face of participants in outdoor sports has changed. More females are participating in fishing, hunting and shooting sports.
Among new shooters, 66 percent fell into the 18- to 34-year-old group and 37 percent of new target shooters are women, according to the National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF).
It noted young women were among the fast growing segment of the Scholastic Clay Target and the Scholastic Pistol program.
At the recent national team championships at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, the Scholastic Sports Shooting Foundation (SSSF) said young women made up more than 18 percent of the 2,811 shooters. It said among the 2,466 shotgunners they were 17.6 percent while on the pistol ranges they composed 24.3 percent of the 345 competitors.
