Michiana Outdoors News

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Northern Indiana/Southern Michigan outdoors news and tips

Gerald Swindle: New Zoom Bait Should Be a Killer on Smallies

Study Shows Tournaments Don’t Harm Bass Fishing

Details: Published on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 14:00

(Provided by Indiana DNR)

Tournament anglers who fish for largemouth bass in northern Indiana natural lakes have had no long-term negative effects on bass populations, according to a study by DNR fisheries biologists.

Biologists examined the numbers and sizes of bass caught at 22 organized events in 2011 and 2012, and compared the results to 23 events in 2001 through 2003.

Over the 10-year period, average catch rates of bass tournament anglers increased from one bass per 6.7 hours of fishing to one bass per 4.3 hours. The average number of bass brought to tournament weigh-ins increased from 1.2 per angler to 1.7.

Boating Restrictions Lifted on Northern Lakes

Details: Published on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 17:03

Lake levels have returned to acceptable levels for normal motorboat operation on various northeast Indiana lakes.

As a result, the DNR has lifted temporary motorboating restrictions. Effective immediately, people can operate a motorboat on the following lakes:

Barbee Lake chain, including Kuhn, Big Barbee, Little Barbee, Irish, Sechrist, Sawmill and Banning lakes.
Tippecanoe Lake chain, including Lake Tippecanoe, James Lake (Little Tippy), and Oswego Lake.
Indian Lake chain, including Westler, Witmer, Dallas, Hackenburg and Messick.

Werner, Potato Creek Club Take Top 8 Honors at Wawasee

Details: Published on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 22:17

Osceola’s Curtiss Werner captured the top individual spot in the Indiana Bass Federation Top 8 tournament on Lake Wawasee last weekend while the Potato Creek Bass Club won club honors.

Werner, fishing for the St. Joe Valley Bassmasters, caught 22.90 pounds that included big bass (4.66 pounds) the first day of the two-day event. He caught his fish on a ¼-ounce Money Mouth prototype buzzbait and earned $650.

He fished the buzzbait in channels and followed up with a Money Mouth Fish Bone stickworm (watermelon/red flake) rigged wacky style.

The top eight anglers from 11 northern Indiana bass clubs competed.

Fish Shallow at Night for ‘Eyes

Details: Published on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 14:34

(Provided by PRADCO)

When winter fails to take its exit cue, the underwater world slows down. Migrations are postponed and late winter patterns linger, creating spectacular opportunities for the walleye-season opener.

Mike Christensen has been guiding walleye fishermen on opening day in Minnesota for 17 years, and says there should be some great shallow water walleye fishing on tap as soon as the season opens May 11.

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Louie's Blog

Fish Moving Shallow

If you aren’t catching fish this week, you better change locations or tactics.

A survey of area bait and tackle shops reveals good fishing north and south of the state line. It’s mostly crappies and bluegills, although just about everything is getting active.

Crappies are starting to spawn while the bluegills are still a few weeks away on most lakes. The late spring hasn’t given the eggs time to develop in the deeper, colder waters. Dark bottom, shallower waters may see bedding long before the clearer lakes.

Crappies have been on fire for the past two weeks. Mike McNulty of Midway Marine said they are bedding in the St. Joseph River channels and Dick Parker said he’s getting good crappie reports from gravel pit and Potato Creek fishermen.

Louie Stout

Louie Stout is a Hall of Fame outdoors journalist who spent 17 years as a fulltime newspaper reporter before launching a freelance writing career. Read more...