Fishing starting to pick up near shore
By Dale Bowman Post-Tribune correspondent September 13, 2012 11:20PM
Updated: October 15, 2012 10:01AM
As the fall return of fish to the Lake Michigan shoreline and the streams begins, and it has in fits and spurts this week, the Indiana DNR is looking for help.
First shoreline fishing.
“There’s a few fish (Chinook salmon) at the Hole-in-the-Wall, that is about the best,’’ said Capt. Rich Sleziak from Slez’s Bait Shop in Lake Station and Triplecatch Charters out of Burns Ditch.
That’s true for those casting from boats or fishing from shore (employees or those with employees).
Mike Starcevich at Mik-Lurch Fishing Tackle Outlet in Hammond said trollers are harkening back to the classics, “jointed J-plugs,’’ at the Hole in the Wall. He said some nice kings were caught by trollers in the shipping channel this week on Dirty White Boy and Monkey Puke spoons.
“It’s an early morning bite, it should turn into an evening bite in another week,’’ Starcevich said.
Lake Michigan fisheries biologist Brian Breidert emailed from Michigan City, “Looks like fishing may be picking up in the harbor. Reports of Chinook being caught over the past three days in the harbor and some being taken by boats inside of 60 feet of water outside of Burns Ditch.
“(Thursday morning) the boats were taking them in 15 to 30 feet. Also we had a few Chinook at the sea lamprey barrier (on Trail Creek) yesterday. Lots of coho salmon moving, including some 7-10 pound fish. Monday and Tuesday we passed over 100 fish each day. Majority are about 3-4 pounds but some larger ones mixed in. Also steelhead still in the streams with a few more moving daily.’’
Sleziak said the arrival of the small coho energized the steelhead already in the streams.
The DNR needs help with fin-clipped Chinook. If fishermen catch a king with a missing adipose fin (the small fin on top near the tail), which identifies the king as part of a multi-state research project, they should bring the head to DNR Lake Michigan fisheries research station at 100 W. Water St., Michigan City. On weekends, bring the heads to Lake Michigan Tackle or Chief’s Bait Shop, both in Michigan City.
“We really want to get people to understand the importance of looking for fish with the missing adipose fin,’’ Breidert emailed. “We will see more of those into the future as we continue to mark all Chinook stocked lake wide. This will play into determining migration and movement but also natural reproduction.’’
Places and faces: Five-Time Olympian Kim Rhode will visit Cabela’s in Hammond from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Rhode, considered the world’s most accomplished women’s double trap and skeet shooter, is coming off a gold in women’s skeet at the Olympics this summer in London.
Hunting notes: Teal are among the oddest birds to hunt: here today, gone tomorrow. Teal season ends Sunday. On Wednesday, none were shot at Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, but Thursday morning some blinds were bagging limits. Anybody’s guess whether they will be there for the final weekend. ... Early Canada geese season ends Saturday. ... Urban deer season opens Saturday.
Ducks Unlimited: Big Lake Waterfowl Hunters Party is Thursday at Wicker Pavilion in Highland. Contact Jason Bell at (219) 405-0754; Phil Grenchik, (219) 617-3950; or Wally Kimmich, (219) 743-6992.
Salmon Slam: The Salmon Slam is Saturday with a bump, thanks to the city of Portage, in top prize to $1,200. Weigh-in is at Portage Marina, although boats may fish out of Michigan City. Contact Rich Holm at (219) 762-4362 or Chris Moseley at (219) 331-4977.
FISHING NOTES: Boat fishing reopens Monday and runs through Oct. 12 at Willow Slough. . . . Mik-Lurch reported some good bluegill and redear, suspended down 15 feet in 24, on Pine Lake.
