Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Public Discussion on Baitfish Regulations
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting a public discussion sessions on Vermont’s fishing regulations. Department officials are hoping to engage anglers in a discussion and gather public opinion on the state’s baitfish rules.
This will be a working session, with information presented on the regulation, followed by breakout groups where people will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/28/Public-Discussion-on-Baitfish-Regulations
Monday, February 26, 2018
Intro to Fly Tying - Week 1 of 4
An introductory fly tying course focusing on material, hook, and thread terminology. Techniques such as thread control, proportion, tying on materials, dubbing, and wings and tails will be covered while tying a variety of flies.
The four-week course will be held on Monday evenings from 7pm-9pm on February 26, March 5, 12, and 19.
https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/26/Intro-to-Fly-Tying---Week-1-of-4
Friday, February 23, 2018
Trout Management on the Batten Kill
The talk will cover the history of the Batten Kill and the Department’s past, current, and future management practices.
The Batten Kill is one of Vermont’s pre-eminent wild trout streams and the status of its brown and brook trout populations have been closely monitored since the early 1980s. A near collapse of the brown trout population in the Batten Kill in the 1990s prompted a set of studies which indicated a lack of in stream cover was leading to low survival of midsize trout and likely contributed to the population decline.
Learning More About Lynx During The Winter Months
One of the responsibilities of a wildlife biologist in the Moosehead Lake region is to research and collect information about Canada lynx. Most townships within this region have lynx present, which was not the case 20 years ago. Our data indicate that the population of lynx across the state has been increasing during that time period. During the snowy months of the year, when the conditions cooperate, we look for signs of lynx, which allows us to determine population status, regional distribution, and to collect DNA.
https://www1.maine.gov/wordpress/insideifw/2018/02/21/learning-lynx-winter-months/
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Cold Winters and Hot Togue Fishing on Sebago Lake
Thanks to a frigid start to the ice fishing season, many of Maine’s lakes have had the chance to accumulate a solid base of ice. While ice can never be considered completely safe without careful consideration, especially given changing ice conditions due to recent warm weather, many anglers have found that this season has provided plenty of opportunity to find thick ice and get in some quality fishing time. That includes MDIFW staff who also enjoy fishing on their days off!
Even the largest lake in southern Maine, Sebago Lake, has proven to be a hot spot for many local anglers. In more sheltered areas like Jordan Bay and the Lower Bay on Sebago, ice shacks dot the horizon, as if anglers decided to start a town solely on the principle of fish, and plenty of them. It’s no wonder, either, given reports of action on lake trout (referred to as togue in Maine) often running steadily through a whole day on the ice. Some parties of only three or four anglers have reported catching well above 50 togue in one day. As togue tend to stay in the deep waters of the lake, many successful anglers have found that jigging flashy spoons or lures just off the bottom has been an especially effective strategy, and has provided an exciting and long fight as fish are hauled all the way back to the surface.
Rhode Island Fishing And Hunting Licenses For The 2018 Season To Go On Sale March 1 With New Online Features
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will launch a new, fully online fishing and hunting license system that expands upon current web-based services on Thursday, March 1.
Implementation of the new system is part of statewide efforts to improve customer service and streamline processes. The system will replace paper-based license issuances and accounting methods and builds upon the current offering of online fishing licenses to include hunting licenses, permits, tags, and stamps. Fishers and hunters will be able to access their accounts 24/7, so they can manage their licenses, add new permits and licenses from the comfort of home, on the go, or even out in the field.
Meet the North American Porcupine!
Have you ever seen a porcupine in CT? Would you like to know more about Connecticut’s elusive Quill Pig? Come join CT DEEP Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Gerri Griswold and her non-releasable porcupine at the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby, Connecticut. Saturday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. Gerri will give a one hour program and address the natural history of one of Connecticut’s most fascinating species.
North American Porcupines are large, solitary rodents commonly found in New England. Although they are mostly nocturnal, they can be found perched in the top of a tree during the day. Porcupines are herbivores and typically have 20,000 to 30,000 quills which cover most of their body. Gerri will address the natural history of one of Connecticut’s most fascinating species and the world’s third largest rodent!
Friday, February 16, 2018
Been a Good Season
We were fortunate at having an early ice season this year with the cold temps and allowing us to fish many waters we haven’t been able to in the recent past. But with warming trends and rains starting now and into most of next week, looking like our local ice season may be coming to an end.
Been pushing hard on the ice the last week and it has been paying off. Visiting numerous lakes and ponds searching for crappie has been fun with some nice catches happening as well.
Free Fishing Weekend in Maine is February 17 &18, 2018
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reminding everyone to take advantage of the upcoming free fishing weekend.
On Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, any person may fish for free without a license on Maine’s waterways, except those who have had their license suspended or revoked. All other rules and regulations, including bag and possession limits, apply.
“Fishing during the winter is a wonderful way to get out of the house and make memories with family and friends that are sure to last a long time,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “We offer this free fishing weekend in the hopes that more and more people will be introduced to the many winter fishing opportunities Maine offers, particularly on our frozen lakes and ponds. And remember, safety first. Please check the condition of the ice before you go out.”
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Camp North Woods Lottery Now Open
Camp North Woods is back for another great summer of learning in the Maine outdoors! The Department created Camp North Woods in 2015 to provide opportunities for youth and their families to learn lifelong outdoor skills as well as the importance of sustaining Maine’s natural resources. The camp has also been established to build upon the overwhelming interest by youth who have grown to love the hit TV series on Animal Planet, North Woods Law!
Camp North Woods will again be held at and hosted by the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Camp staff and instructors will include Maine Game Wardens, Fisheries and Wildlife Biologists, Recreational Safety Coordinators, Information and Education staff as well as staff from Bryant Pond.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Locate Before Drilling
If you are fortunate enough for not having snow on top of your ice, this gives you an option of finding fish before even drilling a hole to fish in. Especially, if there is a layer of water on top of the ice, this will help the matters at locating fish.
If the ice is clear, no snow layers in the thickness or few air bubbles in the ice, you will be able to shoot the transducer’s signal through the ice and this allows you to see the fish before you even drill a hole.
Report Your Wild Turkey Sightings Through March 31
he N.H. Fish and Game Department reminds wildlife watchers to report sightings of wild turkeys. The Department’s Wild Turkey Flock Survey is open through March 31. The public is encouraged to report turkey sightings online at www.wildnh.com/surveys/turkey.html. Please do not report multiple sightings of the same flock.
The survey is designed to fill gaps in Fish and Game’s existing winter flock data collection efforts, adding to the Department’s understanding of the abundance and distribution of turkeys during the winter months. Participants are asked to report: the number of turkeys in the flock; where they were seen; the type of habitat the birds were observed in; and what the turkeys were feeding on (for example, acorns, beechnuts, seed at birdfeeders, or corn silage).
Friday, February 9, 2018
Ice Safety Awareness Urged
With the Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby on for this weekend, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution when enjoying winter activities on or near the ice.
"It is imperative that you personally check the ice thickness on a waterbody as you venture out on foot or before riding out on a snowmobile or Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle," said Captain Dave Walsh, who coordinates OHRV Enforcement and Safety Education for Fish and Game. "Do not assume that just because the ice is safe in one location that it will be safe 100 yards farther away. If you don’t know, don't go."
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Changing It Up
There are some days that we need to look at targeting other fish than the ones that we target daily. We have a lake that offers a good population of pickerel and bass with some good size to them as well and try and get out there a couple of times per season.
My son looks forward to fishing here as well and always has high expectations as we walk onto the ice. The area that we target is a small cove that has a small creek dumping into it and the water depth ranges from 4-7 FOW.
Trapping Workshop Offered This Month
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that a free workshop for hunters will be offered this month in Exeter.
A trapping workshop will be offered on Sunday, February 11 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at DEM's Fish & Wildlife Education Center located at Camp E-Hun-Tee Place in Exeter. The workshop will include the history of trapping, an overview of conservation and trapping regulations, and the biology of different target species in Rhode Island. Participants will learn about best management practices in the field, types of traps, and uses for the animal; they will also take part in a hands-on demonstration of how to set traps. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, send your name, phone number and email address to Jessica Pena in the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife at jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Pinhead Jigging Mino
A fun bait that we have been using a lot this ice season, is the Clam Outdoors Pinhead Jigging Mino. The Pinhead Mino was designed to attract finicky feeding panfish and we are finding that it works very well when the feed is on as well.
The weight of this Mino allows it to get back to the school of fish quickly, so that you won’t miss out on any of those bites. It acts as an injured minnow when jigged and there are a few ways of attaching the line to the bait either to enhance the action, or tighten the action as well.
Apply Online Now For The 2018 Maine Moose Permit Lottery
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is now accepting applications online for the 2018 Maine moose permit lottery. Applications for the 2018 Maine moose permit lottery will be accepted online only. The online application process is fast and simple and you receive instant confirmation that you have successfully entered the lottery.
To apply online, go to mefishwildlife.com and fill out the online moose permit application. There, applicants will be able to indicate several preferences, including which wildlife management districts (WMD) they are willing to accept a permit in, and if they would accept a permit in another WMD if their name is drawn and all of their top choices are filled. They will also be able to select your preferred hunting season, whether or not they would accept an antlerless permit, and their choice of a sub-permittee.
Monday, February 5, 2018
MDIFW Ice Fishing Report For February 2, 2018
Region A – Sebago Lakes Region
If you are wondering where the fish are really biting, look no further than Sebago lake.
“Sebago is really hot, just about everywhere you can get on the ice, you are going to catch some togue,” said Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fisheries biologist Jim Pellerin.
While the big bay hasn’t frozen over yet, anglers are catching fish from Jordan Bay all the way down to the station. And they are catching a lot of lake trout. One angler landed over 300 togue over the first few weeks of the season on Sebago.
Friday, February 2, 2018
2018 Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity
Vermont’s spring snow goose hunt will be held from March 11 through April 27.
Since 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has annually issued a “Conservation Order” to allow the reduction of the population of migrating greater and lesser snow geese as well as Ross’ geese. The numbers of these geese have grown so high that they are destroying habitat for themselves and other species.
Eight states in the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont) will hold a similar Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order in 2018.
https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/02/2018-Special-Snow-Goose-Harvest-Opportunity
Thursday, February 1, 2018
2018 NH Moose Hunt Lottery Opens
New Hampshire's 2018 moose hunt lottery is now open. Enter today to try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime -- hunting moose in the rugged woods of the Granite State. Entering the lottery costs $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents.
To enter the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html, where you can enter online or print out a mail-in application. You can also pick up an application at any Fish and Game license agent, Fish and Game Headquarters, or Fish and Game Regional office.
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