Think shallow for spring panfish

Panfish move into shallow water in the spring for two reasons. The shallow water warms more quickly than the rest of the lake, which attracts minnows and jump-starts the metabolism of aquatic insects. The wealth of food is a bonanza for hungry, early-season panfish....

Midday Magic

Get out in the turkey woods this spring...   When my Uncle Jack and I heard the first gobbles of the day, we knew instantly that we would have our work cut out for us. The gobbles were faint and distant and sounded as if they were on the property to the east of...

THE CURSE OF THE NORTH!

“More likely, you’ll go blind and starve to death. Or you might go crazy. That’s happened to guys up here before.” The Bay (formerly Hudson’s Bay) store manager amused himself by scaring my friend and me with tales of the north woods through these warnings about black...

Every Pup Deserves a Second Chance

Every few minutes, from his metal crate sitting on the concrete floor of the clubhouse at Haymarsh Hunt Club, Murphy, the 18-month-old Irish setter, plaintively whined to get Mike Mapes’ attention. His confinement, it seemed, was part of the process of training him to...

ROOSTER UPDATE

Optimism High for 2023, More Roosters, Longer Season, New Locations...   Michigan pheasant hunters have much to look forward to this year with the tremendous increase of rooster stocking on state properties. Over 6,000 birds will be released for you, your family,...

RECENT EDITIONS

The Detroit River Fishery

The Detroit River Fishery

For my money, there’s no better place to fish for walleyes this time of year, anywhere, than the Detroit River. It’s no secret. I swear, at times you could almost walk across the river going boat to boat and never get your feet wet. There’s a reason: The river is full...

Wake-Up Call

Wake-Up Call

As I turned onto the gravel road, an entire flock of turkeys jaywalked in front of me to the opposite side, where a large stand of mature white pines covered the landscape. It was late winter, so the flock consisted of a mixed bag of jakes, longbeards, and hens. There...

Tricks for Opening Day

Tricks for Opening Day

The weather on the last Saturday in April can be fickle. You might be blessed with a glorious sunshiny day and temperatures in the 60s or more. Or it could be spitting snow or sleet with temperatures below freezing. That’s just the way April is in Michigan. Chances...

Randy Claramunt named Fisheries Chief

Randy Claramunt named Fisheries Chief

On February 22, acting DNR Director Shannon Lott announced the appointment of Randy Claramunt as the new Chief of the Fisheries Division, one of Michigan’s most important natural resource positions. He will fill the position vacated by long-term fisheries chief Jim...

BE BETTER AT JIGGING

BE BETTER AT JIGGING

Over the years, I’ve shared a boat with an impressive number of talented fishermen. No one learns the craft of fishing without the help of others willing to share what they have learned through the school of hard knocks. When it comes to jig fishing places such as the...

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