The boat will be in the water on Monday so the 2010 fishing season will officially start for us. Fishing has slowed down for the brown trout and steelhead the last week or so because of the storms and runoff during this time. Water visibility is very low and a lot of sand and mud in the water. There are some fish (browns and coho) being caught in 30 to 40 foot of water however the action is slow. With the high water flow in the river, we should see a increase in the steelhead fishing as the water clears.

Check back next week to see what is happening out on the big lake. For information or to make a charter reservation, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com.

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

Captain Ron Westrate Saugatuck Fishing Report on Lake Michigan South

The best fishing right now is in the Kalamazoo River with good catches of steelhead and an occasional salmon. With the high water levelsubsiding, the Kalamazoo River is almost back inside its banks. In addition most of the leaves are off the trees, so fishermen do not have contend with large number of leaves floating down the river and fouling lines. Most of the action is from New Richmond Bridge to the mouth of the Rabbit River by walking spawn down through the holes. Some fish are being taken by using small hot-n-tots and wiggle worts and back trolling them down through the same holes. River fishing should only get better as the river conditions stabilize.

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.