Input for regulations wanted by Aug. 1
July 19, 2012 11:09PM
Updated: July 22, 2012 2:38PM
BY DALE BOWMAN
The second round of Got INput suggestion period for possible changes to fishing, hunting and trapping regulations by the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife began Sunday and runs through Aug. 1.
Thomas Berg, the Dyer man who is executive director of Hoosier Outdoor Writers organization, sent a reminder that your input can be part of the process. Of concern to him were some of the trapping suggestions.
In wildlife issues, the lead DFW proposal is on wearing florescent orange in any occupied ground hunting blind, except waterfowl blinds, during firearm deer seasons. It would bring Indiana in line with other states.
There’s a couple common sense tweaks for hunting suggested. One would make a single statewide rabbit season from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28. Another would recognize that Eurasian collared doves are here and would allow them to taken during mourning dove season, similar to regs in place for years in Illinois.
In fisheries, one of the interesting ones is a 12-fish limit on lake whitefish on Lake Michigan. I realize whitefish are making a comeback, but that seems hopeful.
Two of the hunting suggestions by the public seem right to increase interest in hunting. One would establish an early archery season (Sept. 15-30) and another would have a primitive muzzleloader season for a week in January.
To see the suggestions and participate in the discussion, go to in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7373.htm.
LAKE MICHIGAN AND TRIBS: Streams showed a spike in flow after the storms of Wednesday night and Thursday morning, which brings hopes of fresh steelhead. ``As far as the rain, we are hoping it brings some fish in,’’ Lake Michigan fisheries biologist Brian Breidert said. ``The creeks could use the depth.’’ . . . Randy Brindza from the Lake Michigan fisheries reported slow steelhead fishing in the creeks but they are scattered, especially in Trail. He emailed, ``Early morning is your best bet for steelhead. Small pieces of shrimp floated through the deepest pools and runs are your best bet at catching fish.’’ And he offered one of the best suggestions for the summer of 2012: ``One item that all creek anglers should carry on them is a thermometer. All it takes is just a couple of degrees of cooler water to have a successful outing.’’ . . . Off the Michigan City piers, about the only action is for channel catfish, Brindza said. . . . Trollers continue to
catch big kings with some coho and steelhead in 85 feet and deeper out of Portage and Michigan City. . . . There’s scattered perch.
INLAND FISHING: Catfish and largemouth bass are the top bets. Mik-Lurch Fishing Tackle Outlet reported some good catfishing at Lake George. . . . Rain really wasn’t enough to kick up the Kankakee River much. . . . Brindza said he has not seen a single steelhead go through the South Bend Fish Ladder on the St. Joseph River since early June and current water temperature is 81.
PLACES AND FACES: Mike Ryan of the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders will speak at the Salmon Unlimited of Indiana meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at East Chicago Marina. . . . Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Open House is 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Call (219) 395-1882. . . . Highland Parks holds a children’s fishing contest (6-13) from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Meadows Park. Entry fee is $7 for residents, $10 for nonresidents. Register at highlandparks.org. . . . LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area property manager Ken Bisacchi said one advantage of the low water was they were able to retrieve an abandoned car that had been the Kankakee since October near the ramp by Area 1.
