Brad with a 10.5-inch bluegill that he caught on a spinner.
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
By Jack Payne
A bluegill has more moves than any seasoned dancer, more fights than a heavyweight boxer and more ways to be caught.
Bluegill fishing will not break the bank. I love bluegill fishing. It’s relaxing and fun for any angler regardless of age or skill level.
Spawning fish love pea stone or sand. A pair of polarized glasses can help. On many lakes, 90 percent of the spawning fish will be on 10 to 20 percent of the shoreline. Bluegills favor a firmer bottom over pure mud. Look for and smell musk/sperm on the surface for spawning gill colonies.
Watching a float slowly disappear is exciting and memorable. We use slip floats all season. With depths of one foot to 30 feet, a slip float is a must item.
Some of the best spawning and fly rod locations are located where overhanging branches are located. Bluegills relate well to fallen logs, trees hanging over the water, and some type of overhead protection.
Fish the deep outer edges of the weeds. For pure fun cast the deep edges of the weeds. I use the Charlie Brewer one-inch grub or the Stopper Lures Whip R Snap plastic baits. We also throw mini spinners and a lot of our homemade worm spinner rigs.
Our favorite location when casting is around cabbage weeds. Cabbage weeds hold gills all season. Under low light conditions, we fish over the tops of the weeds. When the sun is overhead we fish the pockets, small openings, and the outer edges.
Our retrieve is fairly slow, but we vary the start of the retrieve. I love counting the spinner down. Some days, the gills might be nose to the bottom, and other days, counting to five could be the ticket. Once a school is found, you will have plenty of action.
I love mini-night crawler rigs. You can make your two-hook rig with a size 00 or a 0 blade. I order a few pounds of Belgium worms just for spinner fishing. Belgium worms look a lot like a mini crawler. They are larger than a leaf worm and much smaller than a crawler. The beauty of tying your rig is in the beads and hook size.
We use a number 8 or a number 10 hook and add four or five size 3 mm beads. In clear water, we favor light blues, purples, pearls, and root beer. Dingy waters we like chartreuse, fluorescents, and glow colors. For the blades, we run three colors. Solid gold, solid copper/brass or chartreuse, is it?
I carry six Sharpie markers and can add a color to one of the blades if needed. The sharpie color will stay on the blade in water and you can rub the color off on a rag or piece of carpet.
If you fish a river system, try fishing the bridges and any concrete or wooden vertical structures, posts, and pillars. Bridges are a fish magnet in the summer. A bridge provides a current break. Often the upstream section of the bridge will have collected debris that in return will have insects and plankton type of food.
My favorite method is chasing down suspended fish. Your graph becomes your best friend. We never fish until we spot fish. Running 10 to 20 mph you will spot schools of suspended fish. The other method is using your side scan. Look for areas that have soft bottoms. Blood worms are a favorite of bluegills.
On many of our lakes, a thermocline will develop somewhere between 18 and 24 feet. On muddy or weedless lakes we see a thermocline starting around 10 feet down. Your graph will show a band running across your graph. Or you can use a temp gauge.
In most cases, you will find the majority of fish just above this depth range. If the thermocline is at 20 feet then most of the fish will be either shallower than this depth or they will be suspended just above this depth. This is a very fast way to eliminate unproductive water.
Casting for bluegills is a family fun event. Give it a try and also check out Grand Valley Sport Shop.
A bluegill has more moves than any seasoned dancer, more fights than a heavyweight boxer and more ways to be caught.
Bluegill fishing will not break the bank. I love bluegill fishing. It’s relaxing and fun for any angler regardless of age or skill level.
Spawning fish love pea stone or sand. A pair of polarized glasses can help. On many lakes, 90 percent of the spawning fish will be on 10 to 20 percent of the shoreline. Bluegills favor a firmer bottom over pure mud. Look for and smell musk/sperm on the surface for spawning gill colonies.
Watching a float slowly disappear is exciting and memorable. We use slip floats all season. With depths of one foot to 30 feet, a slip float is a must item.
Some of the best spawning and fly rod locations are located where overhanging branches are located. Bluegills relate well to fallen logs, trees hanging over the water, and some type of overhead protection.
Fish the deep outer edges of the weeds. For pure fun cast the deep edges of the weeds. I use the Charlie Brewer one-inch grub or the Stopper Lures Whip R Snap plastic baits. We also throw mini spinners and a lot of our homemade worm spinner rigs.
Our favorite location when casting is around cabbage weeds. Cabbage weeds hold gills all season. Under low light conditions, we fish over the tops of the weeds. When the sun is overhead we fish the pockets, small openings, and the outer edges.
Our retrieve is fairly slow, but we vary the start of the retrieve. I love counting the spinner down. Some days, the gills might be nose to the bottom, and other days, counting to five could be the ticket. Once a school is found, you will have plenty of action.
I love mini-night crawler rigs. You can make your two-hook rig with a size 00 or a 0 blade. I order a few pounds of Belgium worms just for spinner fishing. Belgium worms look a lot like a mini crawler. They are larger than a leaf worm and much smaller than a crawler. The beauty of tying your rig is in the beads and hook size.
We use a number 8 or a number 10 hook and add four or five size 3 mm beads. In clear water, we favor light blues, purples, pearls, and root beer. Dingy waters we like chartreuse, fluorescents, and glow colors. For the blades, we run three colors. Solid gold, solid copper/brass or chartreuse, is it?
I carry six Sharpie markers and can add a color to one of the blades if needed. The sharpie color will stay on the blade in water and you can rub the color off on a rag or piece of carpet.
If you fish a river system, try fishing the bridges and any concrete or wooden vertical structures, posts, and pillars. Bridges are a fish magnet in the summer. A bridge provides a current break. Often the upstream section of the bridge will have collected debris that in return will have insects and plankton type of food.
My favorite method is chasing down suspended fish. Your graph becomes your best friend. We never fish until we spot fish. Running 10 to 20 mph you will spot schools of suspended fish. The other method is using your side scan. Look for areas that have soft bottoms. Blood worms are a favorite of bluegills.
On many of our lakes, a thermocline will develop somewhere between 18 and 24 feet. On muddy or weedless lakes we see a thermocline starting around 10 feet down. Your graph will show a band running across your graph. Or you can use a temp gauge.
In most cases, you will find the majority of fish just above this depth range. If the thermocline is at 20 feet then most of the fish will be either shallower than this depth or they will be suspended just above this depth. This is a very fast way to eliminate unproductive water.
Casting for bluegills is a family fun event. Give it a try and also check out Grand Valley Sport Shop.
Preserve Michigan’s Fishing Tradition: Prevent Spreading Invasive Species
Fishing is a cherished pastime for many Michiganders. Bringing along family, friends and young people helps preserve the tradition, but to keep our waters healthy and thriving for the next generation, be sure you aren’t also bringing invasive species to your favorite fishing spots.
Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm, to Michigan's economy, environment or human health. Most often, invasive species are unintentionally introduced to new places when they become attached to the boats, waders and gear anglers bring on fishing trips.
Michigan’s waters are seeing increased effects from invasive aquatic plants like starry stonewort and European frog-bit, which can choke out habitat and limit fishing access. When these plants get caught on motors, trailers, nets and lines, they can be carried to the next fishing spot. Many aquatic invasive plants can sprout from plant fragments, seeds or tiny buds called turions that can go unnoticed without careful inspection.
Invasive mussels, snails and fish are altering natural food webs in lakes, rivers and streams.
“Zebra mussel larvae, New Zealand mudsnails and didymo cells are hard to see, but they can attach to things like boats, waders and gear,” said Justin Bopp, aquatic invasive species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “If surfaces are damp, they can survive for several days or even a week. In the same way, water left in bilges, ballast tanks and live wells can carry these tiny organisms and even fish diseases to new locations.”
By planning ahead, following regulations and taking preventive measures before leaving each fishing spot, you can make sure these unwanted hitchhikers don’t travel with you.
Catch and release: When practicing catch-and-release fishing, Michigan law requires anglers to release fish into the waters where they were caught or into connecting waters the fish could have reached on their own.
“Keeping fish in their home waters prevents the spread of fish diseases like heterosporis, a parasite of yellow perch, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, or VHSv, which is highly contagious and can kill trout, perch and other fish species,” Bopp said.
Bait and baitfish: Bait and baitfish should never be released or dumped into the water. Follow state laws when fishing with live bait by disposing of any leftovers on land or in the trash. When catching fish for bait, use them only in the waters where they were originally collected or in a connecting body of water the fish could have reached on their own.
Trout fishing: Didymo (rock snot) and invasive New Zealand mudsnails thrive in cool, clean streams and rivers – extra measures are needed to prevent the spread of these harmful species.
In addition to removing debris and mud, the State of Michigan recommends using a chemical disinfectant on waders and gear before heading to a new location. Disinfectants with documented effectiveness for these species include:
• Products such as Formula 409 Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner applied to waders and gear.
• Bleach: Apply a solution of one-half cup (4 fluid ounces) bleach to 5 gallons of water and rinse with clean water after 20 minutes.
• Virkon Aquatic: Apply a solution of 20 grams per liter of water and rinse with clean water after 20 minutes (see manufacturer’s label for additional guidance).
Any chemical disinfectants should be applied to waders and gear on land, at a reasonable distance from the water, to avoid accidental discharge into surface waters.
Bringing a boat: When a watercraft is part of your fishing routine, remember to “Clean, Drain and Dry” boats, trailers and all equipment and gear after each use on any lake, river or stream. State law requires:
• Making sure watercraft and trailers are free of all aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching.
• Removing drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells before transporting watercraft over land.
Drying boats, trailers and gear is an important step to ensure live organisms, like hard-to-see zebra mussel larvae, plant fragments and didymo cells, don’t travel to the next fishing spot. Between sites, do one of the following:
• When possible, dry boats, trailers and gear in the sun for five to seven days.
• Wash boats and trailers with a pressure washer.
• Apply a chemical disinfectant like those listed above.
• Dry surfaces with a towel.
Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species is the responsibility of everyone who uses Michigan’s valuable fresh-water resources. For more information on invasive species and prevention methods, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.
Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm, to Michigan's economy, environment or human health. Most often, invasive species are unintentionally introduced to new places when they become attached to the boats, waders and gear anglers bring on fishing trips.
Michigan’s waters are seeing increased effects from invasive aquatic plants like starry stonewort and European frog-bit, which can choke out habitat and limit fishing access. When these plants get caught on motors, trailers, nets and lines, they can be carried to the next fishing spot. Many aquatic invasive plants can sprout from plant fragments, seeds or tiny buds called turions that can go unnoticed without careful inspection.
Invasive mussels, snails and fish are altering natural food webs in lakes, rivers and streams.
“Zebra mussel larvae, New Zealand mudsnails and didymo cells are hard to see, but they can attach to things like boats, waders and gear,” said Justin Bopp, aquatic invasive species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “If surfaces are damp, they can survive for several days or even a week. In the same way, water left in bilges, ballast tanks and live wells can carry these tiny organisms and even fish diseases to new locations.”
By planning ahead, following regulations and taking preventive measures before leaving each fishing spot, you can make sure these unwanted hitchhikers don’t travel with you.
Catch and release: When practicing catch-and-release fishing, Michigan law requires anglers to release fish into the waters where they were caught or into connecting waters the fish could have reached on their own.
“Keeping fish in their home waters prevents the spread of fish diseases like heterosporis, a parasite of yellow perch, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, or VHSv, which is highly contagious and can kill trout, perch and other fish species,” Bopp said.
Bait and baitfish: Bait and baitfish should never be released or dumped into the water. Follow state laws when fishing with live bait by disposing of any leftovers on land or in the trash. When catching fish for bait, use them only in the waters where they were originally collected or in a connecting body of water the fish could have reached on their own.
Trout fishing: Didymo (rock snot) and invasive New Zealand mudsnails thrive in cool, clean streams and rivers – extra measures are needed to prevent the spread of these harmful species.
In addition to removing debris and mud, the State of Michigan recommends using a chemical disinfectant on waders and gear before heading to a new location. Disinfectants with documented effectiveness for these species include:
• Products such as Formula 409 Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner applied to waders and gear.
• Bleach: Apply a solution of one-half cup (4 fluid ounces) bleach to 5 gallons of water and rinse with clean water after 20 minutes.
• Virkon Aquatic: Apply a solution of 20 grams per liter of water and rinse with clean water after 20 minutes (see manufacturer’s label for additional guidance).
Any chemical disinfectants should be applied to waders and gear on land, at a reasonable distance from the water, to avoid accidental discharge into surface waters.
Bringing a boat: When a watercraft is part of your fishing routine, remember to “Clean, Drain and Dry” boats, trailers and all equipment and gear after each use on any lake, river or stream. State law requires:
• Making sure watercraft and trailers are free of all aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching.
• Removing drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells before transporting watercraft over land.
Drying boats, trailers and gear is an important step to ensure live organisms, like hard-to-see zebra mussel larvae, plant fragments and didymo cells, don’t travel to the next fishing spot. Between sites, do one of the following:
• When possible, dry boats, trailers and gear in the sun for five to seven days.
• Wash boats and trailers with a pressure washer.
• Apply a chemical disinfectant like those listed above.
• Dry surfaces with a towel.
Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species is the responsibility of everyone who uses Michigan’s valuable fresh-water resources. For more information on invasive species and prevention methods, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.
County Parks Permits Now Available
Ottawa County Parks Motor Vehicle Permits are now available for purchase.
Permits required at lakeshore parks and the Riverside Park Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Annual permits are $25 while daily permits are $8. Discounts for annual permits are available for county residents and seniors when purchasing online. The on-site fee stations cannot verify residency, so no discounted permits will be sold at these stations.
County parks will soon be offering discounted permits for veterans. It’ll be available online only, so keep an eye out for more information. If you’re a veteran, the county suggests holding off on buying your permit for now — your discount is coming soon.
You can purchase a permit online at miottawa.org/parks/fees.
Permits required at lakeshore parks and the Riverside Park Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Annual permits are $25 while daily permits are $8. Discounts for annual permits are available for county residents and seniors when purchasing online. The on-site fee stations cannot verify residency, so no discounted permits will be sold at these stations.
County parks will soon be offering discounted permits for veterans. It’ll be available online only, so keep an eye out for more information. If you’re a veteran, the county suggests holding off on buying your permit for now — your discount is coming soon.
You can purchase a permit online at miottawa.org/parks/fees.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
The motto for many turkey hunters this year is, “So close, and yet so far away.” It really is amazing sometimes how close we can be to a good gobbler and yet be unable to take a shot. More than one person has bemoaned this truth to me. I empathize with them.
Just the other day, I got as close to a roosted tom as I possibly could without being seen. He flew down and paced the side of the hill just over the crest from where I was set up. He probably got as close as 40 yards, but I could never see him. He was literally, “so close, and yet so far away.”
For some of you non-turkey hunters, one of the best setups for ambushing a gobbler is to set up just below the crown of a hill across from the turkey. This hides you from his all-seeing eyes until he comes to the top of the hill. By then, he has sealed his fate, because he’s well within shooting range.
The heartache comes when he stays just on the other side, out of sight, waiting for you (the hen) to come to him. If you’ve turkey-hunted long enough, you’ve lived this scenario and second-guessed yourself each time the plan didn’t work.
But I thought the best plans were supposed to always work. I mean, if it doesn’t work, could it really be the best plan?
The truth is, the best plan doesn’t always work out. In the case of my turkey, I knew the plan, but he didn’t. And it’s the same when other plans fail as well. They fail because not everyone knows the plans, or because someone had different plans.
Over the years, I have dreamed of some grand plans. I have pictured the perfect scenario for some of the situations I have been in. And in all those years of making plans, I can’t really ever remember my plans working out just as I had predicted. The outcome may have been just as good, but the path to that outcome was very different from what I thought would happen.
The problem is that even though my plans have never worked in exactly the way that I thought they would, I still panic when I see them go awry. For an atheistic world, this may seem like a reasonable reaction, but for those of us who believe in the guiding hand of real God, this is not an option. For it was Jesus who said, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”
God already sees the other side of our hill.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
The motto for many turkey hunters this year is, “So close, and yet so far away.” It really is amazing sometimes how close we can be to a good gobbler and yet be unable to take a shot. More than one person has bemoaned this truth to me. I empathize with them.
Just the other day, I got as close to a roosted tom as I possibly could without being seen. He flew down and paced the side of the hill just over the crest from where I was set up. He probably got as close as 40 yards, but I could never see him. He was literally, “so close, and yet so far away.”
For some of you non-turkey hunters, one of the best setups for ambushing a gobbler is to set up just below the crown of a hill across from the turkey. This hides you from his all-seeing eyes until he comes to the top of the hill. By then, he has sealed his fate, because he’s well within shooting range.
The heartache comes when he stays just on the other side, out of sight, waiting for you (the hen) to come to him. If you’ve turkey-hunted long enough, you’ve lived this scenario and second-guessed yourself each time the plan didn’t work.
But I thought the best plans were supposed to always work. I mean, if it doesn’t work, could it really be the best plan?
The truth is, the best plan doesn’t always work out. In the case of my turkey, I knew the plan, but he didn’t. And it’s the same when other plans fail as well. They fail because not everyone knows the plans, or because someone had different plans.
Over the years, I have dreamed of some grand plans. I have pictured the perfect scenario for some of the situations I have been in. And in all those years of making plans, I can’t really ever remember my plans working out just as I had predicted. The outcome may have been just as good, but the path to that outcome was very different from what I thought would happen.
The problem is that even though my plans have never worked in exactly the way that I thought they would, I still panic when I see them go awry. For an atheistic world, this may seem like a reasonable reaction, but for those of us who believe in the guiding hand of real God, this is not an option. For it was Jesus who said, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”
God already sees the other side of our hill.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
Help Protect Lake Sturgeon When Fishing Michigan’s Rivers
As spring arrives, anglers fishing in our rivers may unexpectedly find themselves with a lake sturgeon on the line.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that special regulations exist for lake sturgeon, and fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited except in a few locations in the state.
In the Lower Peninsula, lake sturgeon may be encountered in places such as the Grand River, the Kalamazoo River, Manistee Lake, the Manistee River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River and Saginaw Bay and its tributaries, but it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon in these waters; any lake sturgeon incidentally caught while targeting other species must immediately be released. In addition:
• Never hold a sturgeon in a vertical position by its head, gill covers or tail.
• Never touch the fish’s eyes or gills.
• Handle the fish as little as possible.
Waters with sturgeon possession seasons include Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, Otsego Lake, the Menominee River and Black Lake. Waters with sturgeon fishing seasons (catch-and-release only) include the Detroit River, the St Marys River, Portage-Torch Lakes and the Ontonagon River.
In all other waters in the state of Michigan, it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon. (See Page 15 of the 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations for detailed information.)
Anglers can report incidental (unintentional) capture of lake sturgeon and report illegal harvesting or targeting of lake sturgeon at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField or by calling the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline: 800-292-7800.
What is special about lake sturgeon? Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), the only sturgeon species found in the Great Lakes, are unique in appearance and characteristics. They have five rows of bony plates, called scutes, on their backs and sides, as well as whisker-like barbels near their mouths.
Often referred to as “living fossils” or “dinosaur fish,” lake sturgeon first appeared in the fossil record in the Mesozoic Era, 100 million to 150 million years ago. These fish are long-lived, with some documented at more than 100 years old.
Lake sturgeon are freshwater fish native to Michigan and found in North America throughout the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Hudson River basins. In addition to having high ecological significance, the species is an important cultural resource in our region. Due to overfishing and habitat loss and degradation, however, lake sturgeon abundance remains low throughout most of its historical range.
In 1994, the State of Michigan listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species. Since then, the DNR has partnered with tribal and federal agencies, as well as the public, to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state. The goals of these efforts are to conserve lake sturgeon populations that are currently self-sustaining and to rehabilitate depressed or declining populations to self-sustaining levels so that lake sturgeon can be removed from the threatened species list.
As part of rehabilitation efforts, the DNR and partners stock lake sturgeon in several rivers and lakes in Michigan. Lake sturgeon are primarily raised in streamside rearing facilities: Naturally produced eggs or larval lake sturgeon are captured in their natal (birthplace) river and brought into the rearing facilities, where they are protected from predators while still “imprinting” on their home water. This increases their survival and the chances that the sturgeon will return to the river in the spring (April through June) to reproduce as mature adults.
In the Manistee and Muskegon rivers — where fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited — the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has conducted lake sturgeon restoration activities since the early 2000s. Through streamside rearing, stocking, monitoring and research, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has played the lead role in lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in their ancestral waters.
“This is a long-term commitment by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to restore this culturally significant species and for the Anishinaabek people to reconnect with their culture,” said Archie Martel, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Fisheries Division manager.
A long-term commitment is indeed necessary: A female lake sturgeon may need 20 or more years to mature, and even then may only spawn once every three or four years — protection is critical to rehabilitation efforts.
For more information on lake sturgeon visit Michigan.gov/Sturgeon or visit the DNR’s Lake Sturgeon Management page for details on management and restoration efforts in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that special regulations exist for lake sturgeon, and fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited except in a few locations in the state.
In the Lower Peninsula, lake sturgeon may be encountered in places such as the Grand River, the Kalamazoo River, Manistee Lake, the Manistee River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River and Saginaw Bay and its tributaries, but it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon in these waters; any lake sturgeon incidentally caught while targeting other species must immediately be released. In addition:
• Never hold a sturgeon in a vertical position by its head, gill covers or tail.
• Never touch the fish’s eyes or gills.
• Handle the fish as little as possible.
Waters with sturgeon possession seasons include Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, Otsego Lake, the Menominee River and Black Lake. Waters with sturgeon fishing seasons (catch-and-release only) include the Detroit River, the St Marys River, Portage-Torch Lakes and the Ontonagon River.
In all other waters in the state of Michigan, it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon. (See Page 15 of the 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations for detailed information.)
Anglers can report incidental (unintentional) capture of lake sturgeon and report illegal harvesting or targeting of lake sturgeon at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField or by calling the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline: 800-292-7800.
What is special about lake sturgeon? Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), the only sturgeon species found in the Great Lakes, are unique in appearance and characteristics. They have five rows of bony plates, called scutes, on their backs and sides, as well as whisker-like barbels near their mouths.
Often referred to as “living fossils” or “dinosaur fish,” lake sturgeon first appeared in the fossil record in the Mesozoic Era, 100 million to 150 million years ago. These fish are long-lived, with some documented at more than 100 years old.
Lake sturgeon are freshwater fish native to Michigan and found in North America throughout the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Hudson River basins. In addition to having high ecological significance, the species is an important cultural resource in our region. Due to overfishing and habitat loss and degradation, however, lake sturgeon abundance remains low throughout most of its historical range.
In 1994, the State of Michigan listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species. Since then, the DNR has partnered with tribal and federal agencies, as well as the public, to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state. The goals of these efforts are to conserve lake sturgeon populations that are currently self-sustaining and to rehabilitate depressed or declining populations to self-sustaining levels so that lake sturgeon can be removed from the threatened species list.
As part of rehabilitation efforts, the DNR and partners stock lake sturgeon in several rivers and lakes in Michigan. Lake sturgeon are primarily raised in streamside rearing facilities: Naturally produced eggs or larval lake sturgeon are captured in their natal (birthplace) river and brought into the rearing facilities, where they are protected from predators while still “imprinting” on their home water. This increases their survival and the chances that the sturgeon will return to the river in the spring (April through June) to reproduce as mature adults.
In the Manistee and Muskegon rivers — where fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited — the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has conducted lake sturgeon restoration activities since the early 2000s. Through streamside rearing, stocking, monitoring and research, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has played the lead role in lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in their ancestral waters.
“This is a long-term commitment by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to restore this culturally significant species and for the Anishinaabek people to reconnect with their culture,” said Archie Martel, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Fisheries Division manager.
A long-term commitment is indeed necessary: A female lake sturgeon may need 20 or more years to mature, and even then may only spawn once every three or four years — protection is critical to rehabilitation efforts.
For more information on lake sturgeon visit Michigan.gov/Sturgeon or visit the DNR’s Lake Sturgeon Management page for details on management and restoration efforts in Michigan.
There’s Always Room for Tomatoes
By Melinda Myers
Nothing beats the flavor of fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes. Keep them close at hand by growing one or more in containers on your patio, balcony, or front steps.
Any tomato can be grown in a pot, but determinate varieties are shorter and more compact, making them a bit easier to manage in a container. They produce fruit in a relatively short period of time, making them great choices for preserving as well as using fresh. Look for a D or determinate on the plant tag, seed packet or in the catalog description.
Indeterminate tomatoes, often designated with an I, are usually much taller and continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit until frost kills the plant or you pinch out the growing tip. These are usually staked or grown in wire cages to save space, reduce pest problems and make harvesting easier. Many new containers have built-in trellises or creative gardeners craft their own, making it easier and more attractive to grow these bigger plants in pots.
Semi-determinate varieties are in between these two. They are compact like determinates, often trailing but produce fruit throughout the growing season like indeterminate varieties.
You can now find compact varieties often sold as miniature and dwarf plants that grow well in small 4-to-8-inch pots. They are a great option for those with limited space, gardening on balconies, indoors in a sunny window or just about anywhere. Kitchen Mini tomatoes, Heartbreakers, Red Velvet and Micro Tom Thumb are just a few.
Grow one tomato per container for maximum productivity. Use a 5-gallon or bigger container for large varieties and at least a 2-to-3-gallon or similar size pot for smaller varieties. Some research suggests growing tomatoes in a pot that is at least 14 inches but preferably 20 inches wide will yield greater results. Adding flowers and herbs to the container boosts the beauty and diversity of your container garden but will reduce the number of tomatoes produced.
Growing tomatoes in containers also allows you to start the season earlier. Just move the planter inside when the weather is harsh and back outside when the weather is warm and sunny. As the weather turns cold at the end of the growing season, cover the planter or move it into a frost-free location as needed. Some gardeners even move a pot or two inside to finish off the tomato season.
Plant tomatoes in a container with drainage holes and fill it with a quality potting mix. Reduce the time spent watering with a self-watering pot that has a reservoir to hold water and extend the time between watering.
Further reduce the need to water by adding an organic, sustainable soil amendment like certified organic Wild Valley Farms’ wool pellets (wildvalleyfarms.com) to the potting mix. Made from wool waste, this product reduces watering by up to 25 percent.
Water thoroughly when the top few inches begin to dry. Mulch the soil with evergreen needles, shredded leaves, or other organic mulch to keep the soil consistently moist and suppress weeds. Consistent soil moisture encourages more flowering and fruiting, while reducing the risk of blossom end rot, cracking, and misshapen fruit.
Harvest tomatoes when fully colored or leave them on the plant a few more days for an even sweeter flavor. You’ll enjoy the convenience of harvesting fresh tomatoes right outside your door for use in salads, sauces, and other favorite recipes.
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Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Wild Valley Farms for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Nothing beats the flavor of fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes. Keep them close at hand by growing one or more in containers on your patio, balcony, or front steps.
Any tomato can be grown in a pot, but determinate varieties are shorter and more compact, making them a bit easier to manage in a container. They produce fruit in a relatively short period of time, making them great choices for preserving as well as using fresh. Look for a D or determinate on the plant tag, seed packet or in the catalog description.
Indeterminate tomatoes, often designated with an I, are usually much taller and continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit until frost kills the plant or you pinch out the growing tip. These are usually staked or grown in wire cages to save space, reduce pest problems and make harvesting easier. Many new containers have built-in trellises or creative gardeners craft their own, making it easier and more attractive to grow these bigger plants in pots.
Semi-determinate varieties are in between these two. They are compact like determinates, often trailing but produce fruit throughout the growing season like indeterminate varieties.
You can now find compact varieties often sold as miniature and dwarf plants that grow well in small 4-to-8-inch pots. They are a great option for those with limited space, gardening on balconies, indoors in a sunny window or just about anywhere. Kitchen Mini tomatoes, Heartbreakers, Red Velvet and Micro Tom Thumb are just a few.
Grow one tomato per container for maximum productivity. Use a 5-gallon or bigger container for large varieties and at least a 2-to-3-gallon or similar size pot for smaller varieties. Some research suggests growing tomatoes in a pot that is at least 14 inches but preferably 20 inches wide will yield greater results. Adding flowers and herbs to the container boosts the beauty and diversity of your container garden but will reduce the number of tomatoes produced.
Growing tomatoes in containers also allows you to start the season earlier. Just move the planter inside when the weather is harsh and back outside when the weather is warm and sunny. As the weather turns cold at the end of the growing season, cover the planter or move it into a frost-free location as needed. Some gardeners even move a pot or two inside to finish off the tomato season.
Plant tomatoes in a container with drainage holes and fill it with a quality potting mix. Reduce the time spent watering with a self-watering pot that has a reservoir to hold water and extend the time between watering.
Further reduce the need to water by adding an organic, sustainable soil amendment like certified organic Wild Valley Farms’ wool pellets (wildvalleyfarms.com) to the potting mix. Made from wool waste, this product reduces watering by up to 25 percent.
Water thoroughly when the top few inches begin to dry. Mulch the soil with evergreen needles, shredded leaves, or other organic mulch to keep the soil consistently moist and suppress weeds. Consistent soil moisture encourages more flowering and fruiting, while reducing the risk of blossom end rot, cracking, and misshapen fruit.
Harvest tomatoes when fully colored or leave them on the plant a few more days for an even sweeter flavor. You’ll enjoy the convenience of harvesting fresh tomatoes right outside your door for use in salads, sauces, and other favorite recipes.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Wild Valley Farms for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
