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JULY
UMRMP Update -
FWP will propose to the Commissioners at the August FWP Commission
Meeting that they intend to propose a 14 fish limit with 4 over 16
inches and only one of those can be over 28 inches for the Upper
Missouri River Management Plan. Walleyes Unlimited is still in favor of
the 10 fish limit with the same slot limitations. If you have questions
or comments for Walleyes Unlimited please
click here to email Bob Gilbert.
MARCH
As some of you know, Navionics released a 2010 chip with a good portion
of Fort Peck lake mapped in High Definition. I have been working with the
folks back there and trying to convince them that they need to come back and
finish the job this summer. I have provided them with as much data and
reason as I can, but bottom line the more they hear from the public, the
greater the demand – the more they will listen. So if any of you or any of
the friends you have would like to see them finish the job this summer, you
need to let them know.
When a person is on the Navionics website and brings up a list of the lakes
that are on the western region maps, there is a “Click here” button if you
want to request some other lake be added to it. This is what you want to
encourage people to do -- here is the link: http://www.navionics.com/LakeCatalog_FavoriteLakes.asp
Please pass this on to everyone who fishes this area.
If anyone who gets this email has any ideas on how I can get some data, like
the number of people using the Hell Creek marina, or campground or day use
data for the west end that would help and I’ll send it back.
Thanks for your help in advance with this.
Click here to contact Dale
Gilbert
Clean Angling News
January 2010
Inspect, Clean and Dry - How Clean is Clean?
As Clean Anglers we know that keeping our gear clean of invasive species is
part of every fishing experience. The basic message of Inspect, Clean & Dry
is one we believe in and share with others. One of the great things about
this is the simplicity, the encouragement to clean to the best of your
ability before you leave a boat ramp.
To help you do an even better job of protecting our waters, the center for
Aquatic Nusiance Species has suggestions for how to do the best you can to
insure you are not spreading invasives.
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Asian Carp in the Great Lakes
Did the Carp Summit amount to nothing more than a stinky valentine? The
inexorable march of Asian Carp toward the Great Lakes provided lots of news
stories in the past month. Most visible was the Asian Carp Summit held at
the White House in mid Feb. While some were quite satisfied with the
outcomes of this meeting, others were far more critical.
In the mean time, residents and officials in states surrounding the Great
Lakes are unwilling to accept the current refusal of Illinois to close the
locks that permit the carp access to Lake Michigan. A recent public protest
in Michigan could be the model for new public activism.
Anglers have a lot at stake in this fight and angling groups are now getting
involved. The Board of Salmon Unlimited of Illinois has voted to support the
closing of the locks.
While the media focus has been aimed at the threat to the Great Lakes, other
waters are already experiencing the ecological damage that is being
predicted for the Lakes. In Spring valley IL, about 100 miles from Chicago,
the local community is seeing first hand how the carp can ruin fishing and
the local economy.
Not everyone finds the carp to be a problem. An article titled Asian Carp
Offer Opportunity for Entrepreneurs tells the story of a number of
enterprising businesses that are working to find commercial uses for the
invaders.
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This Month In Felt
The debate over felt soles continues and anglers are weighing in with lots
of opinions. We would like to offer you a sample of some of the discussions
currently taking place.
"Should felt soles be banned?" is the title of the discussion at the Field &
Stream site.
In Alaska, anglers know that felt is being banned in part of the state
beginning next year (the fisheries commission is preparing to debate making
the ban state wide). Needless to say this engenders a lot of discussion.
Invasives are a global problem and anglers around the world are wrestling
with the same issues. In Great Britain they are beginning to have the same
felt sole debate.
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How Much Should Recreational Boaters Pay?
As invasive species become an increasing problem in the West, there is an
agressive response to undertake programs that help to reduce spread. Most
western states have passed or are considering legislation that expands
programs designed to reduce spread but there is little consensus on how to
fund these efforts. States like Colorado and Montana are funding their
programs with general fund dollars. This seems sensible as the impacts of
these invaders are felt by all of the citizens of the state. However, the
budget reality that states are facing may put funding at risk and there is
no guarantee that general fund appropriations will continue.
Idaho and Oregon have taken a completely different approach. They have
legislation that puts the cost of running an invasive species program
totally on the backs of boat owners, requiring them to purchase annual
invasive species permits for their boats. Oregon is just implementing their
program in 2010 but Idaho was able to use 2009 as a test of their program.
Unfortunately, they quickly discovered that they underestimated the cost of
the program and the revenue the stickers would provide and an Idaho House
panel has just voted to already raise the fee for non resident boaters.
As the Idaho and Oregon programs were developed there was little discussion
held about the appropriateness of making recreational boaters pay the full
cost of the program. The bills in each state were pushed through quickly and
only a few boaters complained. As more people become impacted by the new
fees there are increasing questions being asked as evidenced by a recent
editorial
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Using Natives to Fight Invaders
Biologists in Alabama are trying a new approach to control invasive
Amazonian Apple Snails. These large snails eat up to 95 percent of the
aquatic vegetation in some natural systems, leaving behind murky,
algae-filled water. In response, biologists are increasing population levels
of native sunfish in hopes that they will eat enough of the snail to keep
the population in check.
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New Videos
Eurasian Milfoil is one of the most dreaded plant invaders of our lakes and
reservoirs. Forming dense mats that make boating difficult or impossible,
this invader has ruined many popular waters. Here is a great new cartoon
video about the problem.
The North American Fishing Club has released a new video about the invasive
species threat and what we can all do to reduce spread. In this short video,
Steve Pennaz highlights the threats and offers cleaning advice.
Flowering Rush is an aggressive plant invader that is beginning to choke
waterways. Flowering Rush: Invasion of the Columbia River System tells the
story of this invader in the Northwest
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Bio Control Can Work
Purple loosestrife is a wetland invader that can cause significant
ecological impacts. It chokes out native plants and can really be a problem
for nesting waterfowl. Fortunately, effective biological control insects
have the ability to really reduce these plants. For a good news story of how
this works
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Salmon and Steelhead Conservation
One of the biggest reasons we fight so hard against invasives is to protect
our native fish. Few native fish inspire the passion the way that Steelhead
and Salmon do. These anadromous wonders represent a fishery resource that we
all can cherish. For many years the Steelhead Committee of the Federation of
Fly Fishers has provided some of the best information available on these
magnificent animals. Their publication ,The Osprey, is now available online
and is great reading for anyone interested in these fish.
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When Sportfish Become Invaders
We all know that there are lots of different invasive species. However, we
often fail to realize that the popular sport fish that we cherish in its
native waters may become a huge problem when introduced outside its native
range.
Northern Pike are a perfect example of a fish that can cause huge problems
as an invader. The state of Maine is confronting this reality as a new
discovery of northern pike threatens a native trout population.
All the way across the continent the issue in Oregon is smallmouth bass. A
recent letter calling for an aggressive response to try to eliminate
smallmouth bass has triggered an interesting debate.
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