Inland Seas Angler

GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT

A Publication of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council May 2020

http://www.great-lakes.org Vol. 31, No. 5

Dept of Interior proposes expansion of hunting, fishing opportunities New hunting/fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries

WASHINGTON – Continuing the

Trump Administration’s significant

efforts to increase recreational access

on public lands, U.S. Secretary of the

Interior David L. Bernhardt

announced a historic proposal for new

and expanded hunting and fishing

opportunities across more than 2.3

million acres at 97 national wildlife

refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries.

This proposed rule is the single

largest expansion of hunting and

fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service in history.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service will seek comments from the

public on the proposed rule changes

for 60 days, beginning with

publication in the Federal Register on

April 9, 2020. Delta Waterfowl

In this issue… Boating & Fishing Summer Marketing ..... 2

MN – protect bigger bluegills ................... 3

Guidelines for outdoors during COVID-193

2020 egg take ops canceled ................... 4

Admin to abolish big gun-free zone ......... 4

Catch-and-release walleye regs .............. 5

PFBC sets 2020 Daily Creel Limits ......... 5

DOI expands hunting, fishing - cont ........ 6

State cancels public meeting .................. 7

New walleye reg for Turtle-Flambeau...... 7

State Police extends FOID, CCL ............. 7

PFBC ratifies recent changes .............. 8-9

How to remove Garlic mustard .............. 10

DNR seeks comment on Int’l Falls ........ 10

DNR properties resume entrance fees .. 10

Memorial Day thoughts ......................... 11

encourages all members to express

support for the proposal by logging

on to regulations.gov and selecting

docket number FWS-HQ-NWRS-

2020-0013 to submit comments.

“America’s hunters and anglers

now have something significant to

look forward to in the fall as we plan

to open and expand hunting and

fishing opportunities across more

acreage nationwide than the entire

state of Delaware,” said Secretary

Bernhardt. “The U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service’s Hunt Fish Chiefs

have been instrumental in our effort

over the past two years to streamline

our regulations and identify new

opportunities for sportsmen and

women like no other previous

administration.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on

April 24 extended her state's stay-at-

home order through May 15 but eased

several restrictions to allow some

businesses to reopen and residents to

participate in certain outdoor

activities, like golfing and motorized

boating.

The new order goes into effect

immediately and replaces the

previous stay-at-home measure,

which was one of the toughest in the

nation and was set to expire next

week.

The new order permits residents

to travel to a second home, which was

barred under the previous restrictions.

Individuals will also be allowed to go

boating and golf, though the use of

golf carts is still prohibited.

Under the governor’s old “Stay

Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order

2020-42, physical outdoor activity

This proposed rule would create

nearly 900 distinct new hunting and

fishing opportunities (an opportunity

is defined as one species on one field

station in one state). On top of last

year’s expansion of 1.4 million acres

for new or expanded hunting and

fishing opportunities, this proposal

would bring the Trump

Administration’s total expansion to 4

million acres nationwide.

“Once the Trump

Administration’s effort to eliminate

the threat of COVID-19 has been

successful, there will be no better way

to celebrate than to get out and enjoy

increased access for hunting and

fishing on our public lands,” said

DOI expands hunting, fishing

Continued on page 6

such as kayaking, canoeing, and

sailing was allowed, but the use of a

motorboat, jet ski or similar

watercraft was not permitted for the

duration of the Executive Order.

Prohibition on the use of motorized

watercraft was reflected in the

governor’s

https://www.michigan.gov/coronaviru

s/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-

525278--,00.html that explains and

interprets Executive Order 2020-42.

The new law would have boaters

to do the following before they leave

a site:

Remove all drain plugs from

ballast tanks, live wells and bilges.

Drain all water from live wells and

bilges.

Ensure that the watercraft, trailer,

and any conveyance used to transport

the watercraft or trailer are free of any

aquatic organisms, including plants.

Michigan motorboat rules changed again

2 Great Lakes Basin Report

The Recreational Boating &

Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and

the National Marine

Manufacturers Association

(NMMA) announced the creation

of an industry-wide campaign to

launch this summer as states start

to relax stay-at-home restrictions.

With the industry working to

rebuild coming out of COVID-19-

related quarantine, the campaign

will share the restorative power of

recreational boating and fishing at

a time when the wellbeing of

Americans is front and center.

“Consumer insights show

people are longing for a return to

the outdoors, and fishing and

boating can be a safe and fun way

to social distance and relieve

stress,” said RBFF President and

CEO Frank Peterson. “We want to

help people find their way back

out to the water while helping our

industry rebuild coming out of

this global pandemic.”

“Throughout history, boating

and fishing have provided an

escape—a way to chart your own

course and create your own

adventure—that can only be

experienced on the water,” notes

NMMA President Frank

Hugelmeyer. “In addition to the

restorative feeling that comes

from this kind of freedom, being

able to trailer your own boat to

your local waterway and be in

charge of who you encounter,

provides a bit of control in what

is one of the most uncertain and

uneasy environments of our time.

By coming together as an

industry, we have a shot at telling

this story like never before and

demonstrating how boating and

fishing can be the remedy we’re

all seeking.”

In unprecedented coordina-

tion, Take Me Fishing and

Discover Boating, in addition to

engaging other industry groups

including the American Sport-

fishing Association, the Marine

Retailers Association of America,

BoatUS, marine trade associations

and others, will tell our industry’s

story around the country. By

pooling resources, the groups will

gain access to marketing channels

in new ways and help the industry

come out of the pandemic.

The campaign will feature a

public service announcement

(PSA), online advertising, social

media, and public relations—all

of which will be targeted to local

areas and ensure a focus on

responsible and safe boating and

fishing.

To create a unified voice and

amplified, consistent message

when it launches in June, all

industry stakeholders will be

given access to carefully created

materials developed by Take Me

Fishing and Discover Boating for

social media, websites,

newsletters, and local PR.

Take Me Fishing and

Discover Boating have both

posted significant gains in web

traffic over the last several weeks,

an early indicator of increasing

interest in getting on the water. In

addition to the awareness it will

create, the campaign will guide

people to TakeMeFishing.org and

DiscoverBoating.com to learn,

explore, and find ways to go

boating and fishing this summer

and how to do so safely and

responsibly.

“Boating and fishing offer a

way to cope with our new

reality—being outdoors, spending

time with those closest to you,

and doing so safely,” added

Peterson. “With so many different

stakeholders working as a team on

this campaign, it gives us a

tremendous path to rebuild our

industry, together.

Details will be shared in the

coming weeks in the RBFF

Newsroom and NMMA.org . For

more info: RBFF’s Stephanie

Vatalaro: svatalaro@rbff.org or

Discover Boating’s Ellen Bradley:

ebradley@nmma.org.

Established 1972

President

Daniel N. Thomas, Illinois

Vice President

Open

Secretary

Michael D. Sanger, Wisconsin

Treasurer

Thomas G. Couston, Illinois

DIRECTORS

Illinois – Robert Gaik

Indiana – Mike Schoonveld

Michigan – Open

Minnesota - Dave Koneczny

New York – Thomas Marks

Ohio – Rick Unger

Ontario – Darryl Choronzey

Pennsylvania - Ed Kissell

Wisconsin – Robert Wincek

Position Statement

Representing a major interest in the aquatic

resources of the Great Lakes states and the

province of Ontario, the Great Lakes Sport

Fishing Council is a confederation of

organizations and individuals with a concern for

the present and future of sport fishing, our

natural resources and the ecosystem in which we

live. We encourage the wise use of our resources

and a search for the truth about the issues

confronting us.

Inland Seas Angler

GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT

Publisher

Dan Thomas, 630/941-1351

Editor

Jeanette Thomas

Webmaster

Chad Lapa

Copyright 2020 by Great Lakes Basin

Publications, the INLAND SEAS ANGLERS-GREAT

LAKES BASIN REPORT is the newsletter of the Great

Lakes Sport Fishing Council, a federally

recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization,

and recognized for tax-deductible giving by the

federal government.

Opinions expressed are those of the authors

and not necessarily those of GLSFC, its officers or

staff. Reproduction of any material by paid-up

members is encouraged, but appropriate credit

must be given. Reproduction by others without

written permission is prohibited.

Address Change:

Send six weeks in advance with old mailing label

to GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT, P.O. Box 297,

Elmhurst, IL 60126, (630) 941-1351 or

glsfc444@gmail.com.

Boating & Fishing Industry unite for Summer Marketing Campaign

Great Lakes Basin Report 3

MN seeks input to protect bigger bluegills People can provide input online about lowering bag limits on some lakes

Anglers can weigh in on whether to

keep fewer bluegills from some

Minnesota lakes as a way to protect

and improve the sizes of one of the

state’s most prized and frequently

caught fish. “We’re hearing from

more and more of our stakeholders,

every-day anglers, resort owners,

fishing guides and fishing celebrities

that they’d like more opportunities for

large bluegill,” said Dave Weitzel,

Grand Rapids area fisheries

supervisor with the Minnesota DNR.

DNR area fisheries staff worked

with local anglers and angling groups

to identify lakes where bluegill size

could be improved by lowering bag

limits. Under this proposal, some

lakes would have a bag limit of five

bluegills and others a limit of 10.

Reduced bag limits have worked on

other Minnesota lakes in past years to

maintain big bluegills under

increasing fishing pressure. In some

cases, the number of big bluegills in

those lakes increased. The statewide

limit is 20 bluegills per angler.

Bluegills are also known as sunfish.

The DNR has posted a list of

proposed lakes designated for

changes, as well as how people can

provide input at mndnr.gov/sunfish.

People can provide input now into

this fall. The DNR will post

informational signs at water accesses

on lakes included in the proposal.

“We really want to get the

public’s opinion on these regulations.

A regulation only works if people

support it,” Weitzel said. “We believe

that, through the use of reduced bag

limits, we can definitely maintain our

high-quality bluegill fisheries, and

maybe even improve some of those

that have slipped over the years. And

it’s going to benefit anglers.”

This proposal is the result of

years of discussion and the review of

angler and lake survey data. The DNR

heard from anglers that they’re

satisfied with the number of bluegills

they catch, but that the size of the fish

has been decreasing.

The DNR mailed questions to a

random selection of anglers and asked

about the level of support for

reducing bag limits for the whole

state. While anglers did not

overwhelmingly support a statewide

change, there was strong support for

reducing limits on selected lakes.

Based on input collected through

the summer, the DNR will make any

necessary changes to the proposal,

and new regulations could go into

effect March 1, 2021.

Bluegill biology and fishing On any lake, anglers can voluntarily

help protect big bluegills by releasing

or limiting their harvest of those eight

inches or bigger.

Spawning bluegills are

particularly prone to over harvest

because they are very aggressive

while defending a nest. Anglers can

help by releasing spawning bluegills,

especially large, nesting males.

Released fish have a high survival

rate and will typically return to their

nests to complete the spawning cycle.

Fish are a healthy source of

protein but any fish – even those

bought in a store – can contain

contaminants that can harm human

health, especially in children and

fetuses. You can learn more by

checking out fish consumption

guidelines in the fishing regulations

booklet.

More information about sunfish

biology and management can be

found at mndnr.gov/sunfish

New guidelines for outdoor recreation during COVID-19 The DNR and Minnesota Department

of Health collaborated to create new

outdoor recreation guidelines for use

during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These guidelines apply to both

recreational facilities and the public

and are based on Governor Walz’s

Emergency Executive Order

Allowing for Safe Outdoor

Recreation (EO 20-38).

Following these guidelines will

help protect you and your fellow

Minnesotans from this health threat.

You can enjoy the outdoors while

doing your part to slow the spread of

COVID-19.

Here are some guidelines you should

observe whenever you’re outdoors:

Practice social distancing (stay at

least 6 feet from people from

other households). This isn’t just

for parks and trails – it is also

essential at boat launches, fishing

piers, and hunting lands, and

anytime you leave your home.

Stay as close to home as possible.

This is not the time to be

traveling long distances to

recreate. Cherished outdoor

traditions further from home will

be there for you later, after the

public health situation has eased.

Do not host or attend gatherings

with people who aren’t members

of your immediate household.

This includes gatherings like

outdoor cookouts or barbeques,

because those types of gatherings

could spread COVID-19.

Explore the range of nearby

public lands available to you. If

you arrive at a park, water access

site, or other public recreation

land and see that it is busy,

choose a different option. This

will allow you to maintain social

distancing, and reduce impacts

on staff and resources. Also,

consider visiting at off-peak

times, typically early or late in

the day.

Do not carpool to outdoor

recreational activities with people

other than those in your

immediate household. Similarly,

do not share equipment.

4 Great Lakes Basin Report

2020 egg take operations canceled due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols Missed year of stocking will have minimal long-term impact on angling, fish populations

The Minnesota DNR canceled its

2020 egg take operations for walleye,

northern pike, muskellunge and

steelhead because the work cannot be

done safely under COVID-19 social

distancing guidelines.

Collecting eggs and sperm from

spawning fish in the wild is a labor

intensive effort that requires teams of

6-8 people working in close

proximity. After a careful

examination of whether the egg take

process could be re-engineered, the

DNR determined that is was not

possible to safely handle fish during

the egg take and practice appropriate

social distancing to protect staff from

COVID-19.

The DNR collects eggs each

spring to hatch, raise and then release

either as fry or fingerlings to stock

Minnesota waters that have low or no

natural reproduction of these fish

species. While this stocking is

important to maintain fish populations

and angling opportunities over time,

missing one year will not cause long-

term harm to the fish population of

any waterbody.

“Fish populations naturally are

made up of fish hatched in different

years, so a missing or weak year class

is not uncommon,” said Brad Parsons,

fisheries section manager for the

DNR. “In fact, in lakes with natural

reproduction, a strong year class often

follows a weak year class, so not

stocking for one year might actually

benefit the following year’s stocked

fry.”

Canceling egg take activities

means walleye eggs and fry will not

be available for the DNR’s

cooperative fish management

programs with the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Leech Lake Band of

Ojibwe and White Earth Nation. In

addition, the DNR will not be able to

fulfill requests from private sector

hatcheries to purchase eggs and fry in

2020.Since hatchery rearing ponds

will not be in use, the DNR will lower

the water levels in many of these

ponds to improve long-term

productivity and future fish-rearing

capacity. Other hatchery repairs, such

as dike and pond improvements, also

can be done when water levels drop.

Because this winter was

relatively mild in southern Minnesota,

there should be good numbers of

walleye in natural rearing ponds that

were not harvested last fall. Those

fish will help replace some fingerlings

for the 2020 season. Minnesota joins

some other Midwest states including

South Dakota, Michigan and Indiana

in suspending egg take operations. In

addition, the USFWS canceled all

planned lake sturgeon production for

2020.

Trump Administration to abolish one of America's biggest gun-free zones

On April 13, the Trump

Administration published a proposed

rule to end a ban on the possession of

firearms in water resource

development projects administered by

the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).

These areas comprise one of the

largest networks of outdoor recreation

sites in America, encompassing more

than 400 lake and river projects in 43

states. Activities that occur on these

sites include hiking, boating, fishing,

camping, hunting, and geo-caching.

Currently, regulations pertaining

to these areas authorize the use and

possession of firearms only for

specified purposes, including hunting

or at designated shooting ranges, or

with written permission from the

District Commander who has

jurisdiction over the area in question.

The otherwise lawful possession

of firearms, including for self-

defense, is effectively banned.

Not only does this policy infringe

the Second Amendment rights of

visitors to these areas, as has been

recognized by at least one federal

court, it is at odds with policies

governing firearms that apply on

other types of federal recreational

lands. The National Park Service, the

USFWS, the Bureau of Land

Management, the Bureau of

Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest

Service all recognize a right to

possess firearms on lands under their

authority, consistent with the laws of

the states in which those lands are

located.

Meanwhile, federal statutory law

continues to prohibit the possession of

firearms in “federal facilities” (i.e.,

buildings where federal employees

regularly perform their officials

duties), a restriction that would not be

changed by the pending rulemaking.

As proposed, the rule would

allow visitors to possess and transport

firearms on ACE water resource

development project lands and waters,

provided they are not prohibited by

law from possessing firearms and the

possession or transportation is

otherwise in compliance with

applicable laws.

This commonsense provision

would abolish an existing gun-free

zone on 12 million acres of public

lands and waters nationwide,

including 55,390 miles of shoreline,

7,856 miles of trails, 92,588

campsites, and 3,754 boat ramps.

Comments may be filed in

support of the rule at Regulations.gov.

Submissions are due by June 12.

As Americans look forward to re-

engaging in their favorite outdoor

pastimes at the end of the state

lockdowns currently in effect because

of the COVID-19 outbreak, the

Trump administration is at work to

ensure they will do so with their

Second Amendment rights fully

intact.

Great Lakes Basin Report 5

Catch-and-Release Walleye Regs remain in effect on Minocqua Chain for another year MINOCQUA, Wis. – To protect the

future walleye fishery, the Wisconsin

DNR is extending the catch-and-

release walleye season on the

Minocqua Chain of Lakes in Oneida

County beginning May 2, 2020.

The catch-and-release regulation

for walleye was implemented in 2015

to help rehabilitate the declining

walleye fishery. Several years of no

harvest have allowed the walleye

population to grow, but natural

reproduction and population goals are

still not at target levels. The Natural

Resources Board approved an

emergency rule to put the extension

into effect while a permanent rule is

under discussion.

Walleyes are currently stocked

into the Minocqua Chain to help re-

establish populations, but populations

on some of the lakes are still below

established goals. Walleye population

goals are expected to be achieved by

2021 under this emergency rule.

Waters subject to the extended catch

and release season include:

Lake Kawaguesaga

Lake Minocqua

Mid Lake

Little Tomahawk Lake

Tomahawk Lake

A partnership of stakeholders

including the DNR, Great Lakes

Indian Fish and Wildlife

Commission, Walleyes for

Tomorrow, Lac du Flambeau Tribe

and Tribal Natural Resources

Department and Wisconsin Valley

Improvement Company have met

over the past several years to evaluate

the status of the walleye population

and make recommendations to bring

it to sustainable levels.

This stakeholder group has

worked with the public to support

extending the catch-and-release

season for walleye to meet walleye

population goals in Lakes

Kawaguesaga and Tomahawk and

solidify natural reproduction across

the lakes, which will decrease the

need for future stocking of young

walleye to sustain the population. The

Lac du Flambeau Tribe will also

maintain the walleye spearing

prohibition on the Minocqua Chain to

help achieve these goals.

“One more year of catch and

release walleye fishing on the

Minocqua Chain will help increase

walleye abundance to levels that will

be more sustainable for harvest,” said

Mike Vogelsang, DNR North District

fisheries supervisor. “This will also

give us time to bring partners and

anglers back to the table to discuss

permanent regulation options for

future fishing seasons."

More information on fishing

regulations can be found here.

PFBC sets 2020 Daily Creel Limits for Lake Erie yellow perch and walleye HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 14) – The

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat

Commission (PFBC) announced that

the 2020 creel limit for Lake Erie

yellow perch will remain at 30 per

day and the creel limit for walleye

will stay at six per day. "The 2019

assessment showed that both yellow

perch and walleye populations remain

at maintenance levels," said Chuck

Murray, the PFBC's Lake Erie

biologist. "Based on this, the 2020

creel limits will remain the same as

last year."

At its March 25 meeting, the

Lake Erie Committee allotted to

Pennsylvania a yellow perch total

allowable catch (TAC) of 530,000

pounds, an 8% decrease from 2019,

but 5% above the long-term average

of 551,314 pounds. The 2020 level

includes a yellow perch TAC for

Pennsylvania's commercial trap net

fishery of 100,000 pounds.

Since 1996, the average harvest

of yellow perch by Pennsylvania's

combined recreational (122,000 lbs.)

and commercial fisheries (17,000

lbs.) is 139,000 pounds. Based on a

2020 abundance estimate exceeding

100 million walleyes age two or

older, the walleye population has

more than doubled from 2019, but

will be comprised mostly (75%) of

two-year-old fish. The large two-year-

old cohort (2018 year class) will

result in a significant portion of the

walleyes being under 15 inches for

much of the 2020 season.

"Based on large year classes in

2015, 2018 and 2019, walleye fishing

on Lake Erie should remain very

good for several years," added

Murray. The PFBC adopted a

regulation in 2012 which established

flexible creel limits for walleyes and

yellow perch based on the annual

quotas established by the Lake Erie

Committee, which consists of

fisheries managers from

Pennsylvania; Ohio; New York;

Michigan; and Ontario, Canada.

Under the regulation, the PFBC sets

daily creel limits for these species by

April 15 each year.

6 Great Lakes Basin Report

DOI expands hunting, fishing

Continued from page 1

Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “I

deeply appreciate everything

sportswomen and men do for

conservation and our economy, so I

am delighted when we can do

something to expand opportunities for

them. I hope it will help encourage

the next generation of hunters and

anglers to continue on this rich

American tradition.”

This proposal would bring the

number of units in the Service’s

National Wildlife Refuge System

where the public may hunt to 399 and

the number where fishing is permitted

to 331. In addition, this rule proposes

to formally open lands on nine units

of the National Fish Hatchery System

to hunting or sport fishing.

New proposed refuge

opportunities include the opening of

migratory bird hunting, upland game

hunting, big game hunting, and sport

fishing at Everglades Headwaters

National Wildlife Refuge in Florida

for the first time; the opening of

Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge in

Wyoming to upland game and big

game hunting for the first time; and

opening sport fishing for the first time

and expanding existing migratory

bird, upland game and big game

hunting to new acres at Canaan

Valley National Wildlife Refuge in

West Virginia.

Proposed expansions of refuge

opportunities include the expansion of

existing big game hunting to new

acres at Willapa National Wildlife

Refuge in Washington state and

Balcones Canyonlands National

Wildlife Refuge in Texas; the

expansion of season dates for existing

pheasant hunting at San Luis National

Wildlife Refuge in California; and the

expansion of existing migratory bird

hunting, upland game hunting, big

game hunting and sport fishing to

new acres at Northern Tallgrass

Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in

Minnesota.

Proposed changes at hatcheries

include the formal opening of lands

on Jordan River National Fish

Hatchery in Michigan to migratory

bird, upland game and big game

hunting; the formal opening of lands

on Berkshire National Fish Hatchery

in Massachusetts to sport fishing; and

the formal opening of lands at Little

White Salmon National Fish Hatchery

in Washington state to migratory bird,

upland game and big game hunting.

The proposed rule also continues

the effort from last year's rule toward

revising refuge hunting and fishing

regulations so they more closely

match state regulations where the

refuge is located. This year’s rule also

takes a further step in proposing

revisions that ensure whenever refuge

regulations depart from state

regulations, for safety or conservation

compatibility reasons, these extra

regulations are consistent across all

refuges in a given state. The

Department worked closely with the

states in preparing the proposed rule.

The Service will seek comments

from the public on the proposed rule

for 60 days, beginning with

publication in the Federal Register on

April 9, 2020. The notice will be

available at regulation.gov Docket

Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-

0013, and will include details on how

to submit comments.

The Department intends to

finalize the proposed changes in time

for the upcoming 2020-2021 hunting

seasons. A complete list of all refuges

and hatcheries in the proposal is

available in the proposed rule. View

an online list and map.

Background

America’s sportsmen and women

generated nearly $1 billion in excise

taxes last year, supporting critical

state conservation programs. These

funds are generated by excise tax

collections on hunting, shooting and

fishing equipment and boat fuel that

is distributed to all 50 states and U.S.

territories by the Service.

To date, the Service has

distributed more than $22.9 billion in

apportionments for state conservation

and recreation projects. The recipient

state wildlife agencies have matched

these funds with approximately $7.6

billion throughout the years, primarily

through hunting and fishing license

revenues.

In addition to excise taxes

collected from these activities,

hunting, fishing and other outdoor

activities contributed more than $156

billion in economic activity in

communities across the United States

in 2016, according to the Service’s

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting

and Wildlife-Associated Recreation,

published every five years. More than

101 million Americans – 40 percent

of the U.S. population age 16 and

older – pursue wildlife-related

recreation, including hunting and

fishing.

There are 70 national fish

hatcheries visited by more than one

million people each year. Hatcheries

offer opportunities for viewing the

operations and learning about fish, as

well as activities such as fishing,

hunting, hiking, sightseeing, nature

study, birdwatching and photography.

The National Wildlife Refuge

System is an unparalleled network of

568 national wildlife refuges and 38

wetland management districts. There

is a national wildlife refuge within an

hour’s drive of most major

metropolitan areas. The Refuge

System receives more than 59 million

annual visits. National wildlife

refuges provide vital habitat for

thousands of species and access to

world-class recreation, from fishing,

hunting and paddling to nature

watching, photography and

environmental education.

Take Action Today-

The Service will seek comments from

the public on the proposed rule for 60

days, beginning on April 9, 2020.

Please click this link to be directed to

the public comment page:

regulation.gov Docket Number:

FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-0013, and

details on how to submit comments.

Great Lakes Basin Report 7

State cancels public meeting on draft Lake Erie Adaptive Management Plan Deadline for public comment remains June 19

LANSING – In accordance with Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan

Department of Health and Human

Services’ recommendations designed

to help slow the spread of COVID-19,

a public information meeting initially

scheduled for early June to discuss

the Adaptive Management Plan for

reducing algal blooms in western

Lake Erie has been canceled.

The Michigan departments of

Agriculture and Rural Development;

Environment, Great Lakes, and

Energy; and Natural Resources urge

interested parties to submit comments

on the plan before the comment

period ends June 19.

The Adaptive Management

Plan—a companion document to the

2018 Michigan Lake Erie Domestic

Action Plan—describes the status of

water quality in Michigan’s portion of

the Lake Erie Basin. The plan also

includes a list of planning and

implementation actions the state will

take to reduce the amount of

phosphorus entering the lake by 40

percent by 2025.

Comments on the draft Adaptive

Management Plan will be accepted in

the following ways:

Email to EGLE-

LakeErieDAP@Michigan.gov.

Postal mail to Michigan

Department of Environment, Great

Lakes, and Energy Water Resources

Division, Attn: Lake Erie AM DAP,

P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, MI 48909.

To request a printed copy of the

Adaptive Management Plan, contact

Kimberly Passick at 517-284-5053 or

PassickK@michigan.gov.

The public informational session

was canceled in accordance with Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start

plan and the Michigan Department of

Health and Human Services’

recommendations designed to help

prevent the spread of Coronavirus

Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Michigan.gov/LakeErieDAP.

New walleye reg for Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

MERCER, Wis. – The Wisconsin

DNR has issued new walleye

regulations for the Turtle-Flambeau

Flowage and connected waterbodies.

Anglers should note that these

changes went into effect on April 1,

2020, ahead of the game fish season

opener on May 2, 2020.

These new walleye regulations

will impose a minimum length limit

of 12 inches. Anglers will also only

be allowed to keep one walleye over

15 inches with a total daily bag limit

of three walleyes.

Waters subject to the new regulations

include:

• Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

• Trude Lake

• The Bear River

• The Flambeau River – upstream

of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage at

Murray’s Landing

• The Little Turtle River

• The Manitowish River –

upstream of the Flambeau River to

the Rest Lake Dam (including

Benson, Sturgeon and Vance lakes)

“This new regulation is tailored

to a system with a recent decline in

natural reproduction, but where

harvest pressure on the entire

population remains high,” said Zach

Lawson, a DNR fisheries biologist.

“Combining recent survey

information with a rich historical

dataset on the Turtle-Flambeau

Flowage suggests that this regulation

is a sustainable option for protecting

one of Wisconsin’s great walleye

fisheries.”

This Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

regulation change should help reduce

the harvest of both juvenile and adult

walleyes while still allowing anglers

to harvest some quality-sized fish.

The goal of this regulation change is

to manage for a higher walleye

population density with larger

walleyes available for harvest.

Visit the 2020 Fishing Regulations for

more information.

State Police extends FOID, CCL renewals

FOID card holders, who submit

their renewal application, will remain

valid during the duration of the state’s

disaster proclamation and for a period

of 12 months following the

termination of the disaster, even if

their renewal application is/was not

submitted prior to expiration.

CCL licensees, who submit their

renewal application, will remain valid

during the duration of the state’s

disaster proclamation and for a period

of 12 months following its

termination, even if their CCL

renewal application was not

submitted prior to expiration.

CCL licensees will not be required

to immediately submit proof of three-

hour training with their CCL renewal

application.

CCL licensees will need to submit

proof of their three-hour renewal

training within 12 months following

the termination of the state’s disaster

proclamation in order to maintain the

validity of their CCL license.

The State Police will continue to

enforce FOID prohibitors, of course,

and there is no change of procedure

for revoked cards

Many of us have been

considering getting a Real ID. The

news is the Real ID requirements

have been postponed for a year with

the new date of October 2021. If you

do apply for a Real ID there are some

headaches with your FOID card and

ICCL. People of my generation most

often only use their middle initial

rather than their middle name. If you

get a Real ID you must have your

middle name on it. The problem

comes with your FOID and/or ICCL.

They have to be changed with adding

your middle name. That could be a

mess considering what is going in the

world.

A person only needs a Real ID if

they intend to fly, go to military bases

or secure federal facilities. A passport

solves the same problems and doesn’t

require you to change your FOID and

ICCL. The problem is the cost is

probably $150 or more. Still, with the

way things are at the state level, that

might be the best idea.

8 Great Lakes Basin Report

PFBC ratifies recent changes to 2020 trout season Proposes more convenient permit process for fishing guides, More …

HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 27) –

During its quarterly business meeting

held virtually on April 27, the PFBC

voted to ratify recent changes that

were made to the 2020 trout season

due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The retroactive action authorizes

the PFBC Executive Director to take

immediate action to temporarily

modify fishing regulations to protect

the safety and health of anglers. Such

action was taken on March 16, 2020

when, due to concerns about the

potential spread of COVID-19 among

large groups of anglers, the Regional

Opening Day of trout season was

eliminated. Additional action

occurred at 8:00 a.m. on April 7, 2020

when, in consultation with the

Governor’s office, Pennsylvania

Department of Health and the

Pennsylvania Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources,

the trout season was immediately

opened statewide with the intention of

reducing large gatherings of anglers

around a traditional opening day.

In other action, the Board

approved the publication of a notice

of proposed rulemaking to amend

regulations related to Charter

Boat/Fishing Guide operations. An

internal review of the current permit

application process revealed a

cumbersome system that could be

made more efficient through an online

process. The amendments to Section

51 (Pa. Title 58) would allow for the

application and issuance of Charter

Boat/Fishing Guide permits online

exclusively through Pennsylvania’s

online fishing/hunting license portal

The Outdoor Shop Opens In A New

Window. As part of this change, the

requirement to display a decal on

charter boats would be removed.

Moving forward, Waterways

Conservation Officers (WCOs) would

verify applicant provided information

during standard field checks. An

additional change would require an

individual guiding on Commonwealth

Waters to have a Pennsylvania fishing

license and permits. Under the current

language, a loophole was created that

allows some nonresidents to guide on

Commonwealth Waters utilizing their

out of state license with a

Pennsylvania Nonresident guide

permit. If adopted on final rulemaking

at a future meeting, this amendment

will go into effect upon publication in

the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Commissioners approved the

establishment of a new Recruitment,

Retention and Reactivation (R3)

Education Grant Program. This

competitive grant program will

provide funding to support new

programs and expand education

programs directly related to R3 efforts

aimed at anglers and boaters.

Organizations eligible for this funding

include school districts, universities

and colleges, community and civic

groups, sportsmen’s and conservation

organizations, and local recreation

departments. Existing programs will

be eligible for funding only if they

can demonstrate how the additional

funds will be used to expand the

program. The R3 Grant will

reimburse qualifying organizations up

to $25,000 for eligible program

expenses for the period ending June

30, 2021. The grants require a

minimum of 25% cash or in-kind

match of staff time and/or other

project expenses. The application

period for the 2020-2021 fiscal year

will begin immediately and

applications will be accepted until

June 30, 2020. Interested parties may

apply online by visiting

https://www.fishandboat.com/Transac

t/Grants/Pages/R3GrantProgram.aspx.

Commissioners approved the

publication of a notice of proposed

rulemaking to amend regulations

related to the sale and purchase of

fish. The proposed amendment to

Section 63.19 (PA Title 58) would

exempt byproducts from PFBC

recognized fish cleaning stations from

regulations requiring a fish to remain

in-tact until reaching its place of

consumption. Currently, cleaning

station operators are required to grind

carcasses and place byproduct into

wastewater treatment or landfills. The

amended regulation would allow for

the sale of byproducts to other entities

for further beneficial use such as

fertilizer in agriculture. If adopted on

final rulemaking at a future meeting,

this amendment will go into effect

upon publication in the Pennsylvania

Bulletin.

In Centre and Mifflin Counties,

the Board voted to amend fishing

regulations on Penns Creek, Section

03, by extending the current

regulations until further notice. The

regulation along this Class A wild

trout stream containing a robust

population of wild brown trout,

allows for the use of all tackle types

and harvest of up to two trout per day

that are at least seven inches but less

than 12 inches in length from the

opening day of trout season through

Labor Day. No harvest is permitted

for the remainder of the year.

Commissioners approved

publication of proposed rulemaking

related to striped bass fishing

regulations. In accordance with a

fisheries management plan adopted

by the Atlantic States Marine

Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC)

Striped Bass Management Board

intended to reduce fishing mortality

by 18%, the PFBC would change

minimum size requirements and slot

limits for harvesting striped bass in

the Delaware Estuary, Delaware

River, and West Branch Delaware

River, and enact a mandatory circle

hook requirement for anglers using

bait while fishing for all species

within the Delaware Estuary. These

changes were implemented on a

temporary basis by the Executive

Director on April 1 and are currently

in effect. A news release issued on

March 29 describes these changes in

detail. These temporary regulation

changes will expire on December 31

unless the Commission votes to adopt

the regulations permanently. If

adopted on final rulemaking at a

future meeting, this amendment will

Great Lakes Basin Report 9

go into effect upon publication in the

Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Pertaining to real estate matters,

Commissioners authorized the

acquisition of a 5,340 linear ft.

easement along Conewago Creek in

Butler Township, Adams County for

approximately $100,000. Pending

further due diligence, the PFBC will

pay $84,000 and the Adams County

Trout Unlimited Chapter will provide

$16,0000 towards the purchase of the

easement from Knouse Foods for

public fishing, boating and riparian

and fishery management on the parcel

of land along Russel Tavern and

Zeigler Mill Roads.

Commissioners authorized the

acceptance of a property donation of

2.25 acres along Rock Road in

Benner Township, Centre County.

The donation, courtesy of the Stocker

Family, is surrounded on two sides by

property currently owned by the

PFBC and Penn State University.

Pending further due diligence, the

acquisition of the property will

provide approximately 575 feet of

combined stream frontage and public

fishing access along the east and west

banks of Spring Creek.

The Board authorized the leasing

of Minsi Lake to Northampton

County, which has operated the

property as a public park since 1975.

The new 25-year agreement is

consistent with previous lease

agreements between the parties,

which required the property to remain

open to public fishing and boating

free of charge.

In Luzerne County,

Commissioners voted to authorize a

PFBC-owned property located at

1308 Susquehanna Avenue in West

Pittston, Luzerne County to be

deemed as surplus. The PFBC will

turn jurisdiction of the property over

to the Pennsylvania Department of

General Services for disposition.

Commissioners authorized a

lease agreement that will provide

temporary office space for PFBC

Fisheries Management staff at the

Fairview State Fish Hatchery, Erie

County. Under the agreement, the

3,600 square foot office/warehouse

building located at 8370 Middle

Road, Fairview, PA will be leased to

the PFBC for a monthly fee of $1,625

for a period of three years. Pending

further due diligence, staff is expected

to occupy the leased facility while

renovations are completed to the

Fairview State Fish Hatchery

property.

In other action, Commissioners

approved the designation of 33 stream

sections to the list of Class A wild

trout streams. The board also

approved the addition of 85 new

waters to the Commission's list of

wild trout streams and a revision to

the section limits of eight waters.

These additions and revisions will go

into effect upon the publication of a

second notice in the Pennsylvania

Bulletin. A list of waters proposed for

wild trout stream and Class A Wild

Trout Stream designation can be

found on the PFBC website.

In Erie County, the Board

approved the publication of a notice

of proposed rulemaking to adopt new

miscellaneous fishing regulations on

Lake Pleasant. The new regulation

would prohibit the use of live or dead

fish as bait (i.e., minnows); however,

it would allow for the use of “salted

minnows” and terrestrial invertebrates

(i.e., worms) for angling purposes.

Additionally, the regulation would

prohibit the release of fish in the lake,

except for those caught while angling

at Lake Pleasant. This prohibition

aims to preserve the existing

ecosystem characteristics of Lake

Pleasant, a pristine glacial lake, and

protect native and at-risk species from

harmful impacts that may be

associated with non-native species. If

approved on final rulemaking at a

future meeting, the regulation will go

into effect January 1, 2021.

The Board approved final

rulemaking related to regulations

regarding the importation of Tautog

into the Commonwealth. Currently,

tautog, also known as tog or

blackfish, which are a popular coastal

Atlantic Ocean recreational marine

species, are prohibited from being

imported, sold, offered for sale, or

purchased in Pennsylvania when

measuring less than 15 inches. The

amendment adds an additional

requirement that all tautog possessed

for commercial purposes or sold in

Pennsylvania should be properly

tagged with a serial numbered metal

band on the gill cover, as approved by

the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries

Commission. Pennsylvania is an

important marketplace of commercial

seafood including tautog and this

regulation change will provide PFBC

Waterways Conservation Officers

with the authority to inspect for and

enforce tautog tagging regulations

and advance tautog conservation

along the Atlantic Coast. The

amendment will go into effect upon

publication in the Pennsylvania

Bulletin.

The Board approved the

publication of a notice of proposed

rulemaking related to the sale of sand

and gravel extracted from

Commonwealth waters. Currently,

four companies maintain permits

which allow the dredging of material

from navigable waters in

Pennsylvania. Current royalty rates

related to the sale of these materials

were adopted in 2011 and are set to

expire on December 31, 2020. The

new proposal establishes royalty rates

from January 1, 2021, through

December 31, 2030 under the same

scale as previous rates. If approved on

final rulemaking, the amendment will

go into effect upon publication in the

Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Board voted to amend the

Aquatic Nuisance Species

Management Plan Grant program to

allow the Executive Director to

approve individual grants using up to

$100,000 of pass-through monies per

grantee, per year for projects meeting

the objectives of the Nonindigenous

Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and

Control Act of 1990, the

Pennsylvania Aquatic Invasive

Species Management Plan and/or

other non-native species plans. For

grants exceeding those amounts, staff

will seek separate Commission

approval. This action will allow for

the PFBC to partner with the USFWS

to utilize a $100,000 award from

Pennsylvania Sea Grant to evaluate

the effects of gill lice in brook trout

and rainbow trout.

10 Great Lakes Basin Report

How to remove Garlic mustard Garlic mustard is considered one of America’s most

damaging invasive forest plant species due largely to its

ability to spread quickly throughout many different habitats.

This invasive herb is native to Europe, and was once sought

after as an edible plant, due to its richness in vitamins A and

C.

This invasive plant is no stranger to our gardens, and

while it used to be planted as an edible herb, gardeners are

quickly realizing the potential negative implications.

How do I know it’s garlic mustard? Garlic mustard has a two-year life cycle, with two distinctive

identification features. The first-year plants grow in clusters

called basal rosettes; this is the stage where a strong root

system is developed, and the plant overwinters. The leaves

are dark green, and kidney shaped. The second-year plants

are those that have survived the winter and can now produce

seed. These plants will produce hundreds of seeds in one

season.

Garlic mustard can be easily mistaken for other plants

including native violets; knowing the difference is very

important in management. The leaves of the plant have a

distinct garlic smell when crushed; this is a key

identification feature and sets it apart from other native

plants. The smell is strongest in younger leaves. The second

year (seed producing) plants are easy to identify by their

triangular upper leaves that point to a narrow tip, and white

flowers with 4 small petals. The plant will develop a seed

pod that will grow to about 2.5 – 6 cm long. As the season

progresses, these seed pods will begin to dry out and

eventually split open mid-summer where you can see the

black seed. These pods drop into the soil, where seeds can

remain viable for seven years.

How do I remove it? Garlic mustard is easy to pull by hand, and efforts to remove

it can work wonders for your yard or garden. Focus your

control efforts on the second-year (seed producing) plants, as

removing these prevents further seed dispersal.

The taproot of this plant is “S” shaped, properly

removing the whole root will help prevent the plant from

growing back.

Start by pulling the outlying populations (isolated plants

or satellite populations) first to prevent

further spread of the plant. Pulling plants

before or while they are in flower, but before

they set seed, is the best timing to achieve

effective control and limit further seed

dispersal. This timing will depend on where

you are located. Throughout most of Ontario

the ideal time to pull is in mid-May to early

June.

Do not compost any of the plant material

(seeds and roots) at home or send to a

landfill. Pulled plants which have flowered

may still be able to produce seeds, so pulled

garlic mustard should be “solarized” to

ensure the plant is no longer viable. Solarize

viable plant material by placing it in sealed

black plastic bags (e.g. black garbage bags)

and leaving them in direct sunlight for 1-3 weeks.

Alternatively, place in yard waste bags, cover with a dark-

colored tarp and leave in the sun for 1-3 weeks. This allows

the stems and roots to dry out thoroughly.

DNR seeks comment on Int’l Falls area lake management plans

Anglers and others interested in

learning about Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources

strategies for managing lakes and

streams in the International Falls

area are invited to comment on

several lake management plans

through Tuesday, May 26. Click on

title for more information.

DNR properties resume entrance fees, reopen riding trails and restrooms

Turkey Run, Shades and Indiana Dunes state parks, and Deam Lake and Starve

Hollow state recreation areas have resumed collecting entrance fees. All other

DNR properties will begin charging entrance fees no later than May 15. Find out

what else is opening.

Also, the extension for 2019-20 annual licenses and stamps per Indiana

Executive Order 20-08 ends May 22 at 11:59 p.m. After this date, those wishing to

hunt and/or fish will need a valid 2020-21 license. Buy yours online or at a local

retailer.

Great Lakes Basin Report 11

Memorial Day Remembering those who gave their all

“It is the Soldier” It is the soldier, not the reporter

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet

Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus

organizer

Who has given us the freedom to

demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer

Who has given us the right to a fair

trial.

It is the soldier

Who salutes the flag,

Who serves under the flag,

Whose coffin is draped in the flag,

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

The Mansions of the Lord To fallen soldiers let us sing,

Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,

Our broken brothers let us bring

To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,

No more fight

No prayers pleading through the night,

Just Divine embrace,

Eternal light,

In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry

And no children weep,

We shall stand and guard

Though the angels sleep,

Oh, through the ages safely keep

The Mansions of the Lord

12 Great Lakes Basin Report

Other Breaking News Items: (Click on title or URL to read full article

There’s a new kind of carp in the river and it’s huge

The first invasive grass carp capable of reproducing in Michigan was caught this spring during an annual fish survey by the Department of

Natural Resources.

Mayors optimistic as forecast projects lower water levels

While less flooding is expected this year, Canadian mayors along Lake Ontario are continuing to implement coastal resiliency strategies to

protect their communities from further flooding and erosion

Watching the lake and losing money, charter boat operators wait for restrictions to ease

Coronavirus restrictions have scuttled boating in Chicago, leaving charter boat operators and sightseeing cruises with no source of income

Nestle wins legal challenge to Michigan groundwater extraction

A state administrative judge has upheld a permit that allows global food and beverage giant Nestle to boost the amount of Michigan

groundwater it extracts for sale under the Ice Mountain bottled water brand

More than 140,000 Chinook salmon poured into the Milwaukee River

146,400 Chinook salmon were poured into the Milwaukee River last week as a part of a yearly stocking event. The purpose of this event is to

enhance fishing opportunities for anglers in the area

Wisconsin DNR on track to deliver 3 million trout, salmon

The Wisconsin DNR is shifting its stocking plans for trout and salmon this year due to coronavirus concerns, cancelling offshore stocking

efforts and instead releasing more salmon in nearshore locations

COVID-19 disrupts Great Lakes research, outreach

The cancellation of outreach programs and academic conferences is a blow to education and research collaboration in the Great Lakes.

COVID-19 has also left scientists uncertain about conducting summer research on the Great Lakes this year

Minnesota DNR curtails walleye stocking because of coronavirus

Minnesota fisheries managers canceled all spring egg-taking operations, the Department of Natural Resources announced, leaving a void of

walleye stocking in more than 330 lakes. The fisheries chief said the field work to produce 281 million baby walleyes can’t be done in a way

that would keep employees safe from the transmission of COVID-19.

Great Lakes get extra funds for cleanups, invasive species

Additional funds provided by Congress for Great Lakes environmental improvements will be used to hasten cleanups of highly toxic sites and

step up work on other longstanding forms of pollution, federal officials said Thursday.

Curtice fishery facing numerous charges after late March incident in Lake Erie

A Curtice, Ohio fishery has been charged with wildlife violations after Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife

investigators observed abuse and wanton waste of highly-prized game fish on Lake Erie.

End