Written testimony before Congress on February 9th  by Great Lakes Fishery Commission Chair Mike Hanson “The Great Lakes Fishery Commission” has more than 50 years experience controlling the invasive sea lamprey”

Written Testimony to Congress on Asian Carp

Video of the testimony

Governors of five Great Lake’s state met with President Barack Obama’s administration to work out a plan to prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan, which would allow their movement into the other Great Lakes.

The Army Corp and other agencies are doing a great deal of testing and scientific work throughout the region and have committed significant resources in the $75-80 million range.

Although the governors and federal officials found many common solutions they could not convince officials to close navigational locks which lead into Lake Michigan but left the summit with this option is still on the table.

Officials hope to have a final report by next month, which will provide more information about the navigational locks.

Although all admit that closure of the locks is not the single answer to this by any means. The navigational locks were not built as fish barriers, so closing them will not necessarily prevent the carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

Illinois Governor Flynn said shipping from Chicago would have to be rerouted at currently undetermined costs if the navigational locks are closed.

The summit was a first step to convince the administration is that the long-term effects of allowing the carp are irreversible,” he said. “The effects of closing the locks and moving some of that shipping to rail and truck are not.”

Please join with us and sign the petition at http://www.stopasiancarp.com

Don’t forget Lake Trout season is closed! They are in close spawning right now, so if you
catch one be sure to throw it back.

Boardman River – The peak of the salmon run is over however fish are still in the river including a few fresh ones. Try spawn under a bobber in the deeper holes.

Leland – Those still heading out and fishing the north end of North Manitou Island have caught a few fish when trolling in 60 to 80 feet of water with green flies.

According to the MDNR

Petoskey – Anglers are showing up in good numbers however fishing was generally slow. There are fish in the big lake however the number seems to be dwindling. Anglers were trolling J-Plugs, thundersticks, rapalas, rattle traps, spoons or spawn. Good colors were green and white, pearl, silver or fire-tiger. Water temperatures have cooled and the steelhead are beginning to show up around the piers. A few fish were caught on spawn.

Charlevoix – Boat anglers are still taking a few fish but not many. Pier anglers are catching the occasional steelhead on spawn or smallmouth bass on crawlers.

Elk River – Salmon fishing continues to pick up. Try spawn bags, yarn or body baits.

Boardman River – The salmon run here is near peak. …. more