My RSS Feed

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-29T08:43:09-04:00

Walleye were caught off Stony Point by those trolling bottom bouncers or using mini disks with spoons in 18 to 23 feet of water. ... The Banana Dike and Fermi Plant were also good areas for walleye in 14 to 16 feet of water. ...Lexington - Success for lake trout, pink salmon, and the occasional steelhead has picked up for those trolling in 50 to 100 feet of water. ...Harbor Beach - Fishing continues to be very good with limits of lake trout taken when using dodgers and spin glows right on the bottom. ... Walleye are still being caught off the north wall in the early morning or late evening when casting small spoons or body baits. ...Most of the boating activity has been out near the Spark Plug in 20 to 22 feet of water or the Slot in 13 to 15 feet of water. Off Finn Road, anglers are fishing in 3 to 8 feet of water or deeper when the sun comes out. Most are relying on crawler harnesses off planer boards, but some did well with crank baits in deeper waters.

Happy Memorial Day!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-29T08:39:59-04:00

(null)

Anybody want to go fishing?

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-20T21:48:13-04:00

More pictures will be coming!

Focus on Fish Health

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-17T20:37:58-04:00

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has launched an initiative to educate sports fishermen and recreational boaters on how they can help stop the spread of fish and aquatic plant diseases. ...Diversity Marketing and Communications, is assisting the government with the Focus on Fish Health campaign, which uses a mix of media including print advertising, publicity development, special event participation and online activities to communicate its messages in the Great Lakes states. ... With the summer fishing and boating season upon us, your support and involvement would help us to reach our mutually targeted audiences with information vital to the containment of VHS and other diseases of fish. ...We have developed some materials that we believe might be of use in spreading the word and we invite you to review and use them. ... A colorful and educational Power Point presentation on VHS along with the simple steps we hope people will take to protect and preserve the waterways where they enjoy fishing and boating. ... Please let me know if you have any trouble downloading or if you need the Power Point in higher resolution. . ...A photo contest that we hope recreational fishing and boating enthusiasts will participate in and enjoy. ...5” by 8” palm cards with compelling graphics and information on the steps fishing and boating enthusiasts should take to help prevent the spread of disease and invasive species.

Michigan DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-08T21:51:19-04:00

Lake Erie - Boat anglers are catching a few walleye when trolling harnesses near the Fermi Power Plant and the Banana Dike. ...Huron River - Has good large and smallmouth bass fishing for those looking to participate in the catch and immediate release fishing. ...Detroit River - Walleye are heading for the lake so the better fishing has been in the lower river around Humbug Island, Grosse Ile, Calf Island and Celeron Island. Most are trolling harnesses with minnows and crawlers or jigging minnows in 13 to 16 feet of water. ...Lexington - Those out trolling in 20 to 40 feet of water with spoons or body baits have caught a mix of lake trout, chinook, coho, steelhead, pink salmon and the occasional brown trout. Port Sanilac - Had the same report as Lexington with boats taking fish in 20 to 40 feet of water. ...Saginaw Bay - Had good catches of walleye on the calmer days in 16 feet of water off Linwood, 8 to 20 feet of water off the Bay City State Park, around Spoils Island, and on the Callahan Reef. ... Boat anglers from Caseville are heading south to the Slot or fishing around the buoy off the end of Sand Point.

Invasive Species Workshop

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2010-05-08T21:45:05-04:00

The Superior Watershed Partnership in cooperation with the Lake Superior Work Group and the “Binational Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin” invite you to attend a free workshop on aquatic invasive species in the Michigan Room at Northern Michigan University from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on June 3, 2010, in Marquette, Michigan. The workshop is hosted by US and Canadian members of the Lake Superior Work Group and Binational Program. (Please see attached invite, agenda and RSVP information). Please feel free to share this invite with others who may be interested in this important topic. Thanks!

Request for Input - Revising AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia (Aquatic Species)

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-12-10T21:47:05-05:00

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has reconvened the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia and is in the process of revising its Euthanasia Guidelines. Members of the Panel's Aquatics Working Group are interested in receiving constructive comments regarding the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia, available for inspection on the web at: http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia.pdf. The Aquatics Working Group (AWG) will be concentrating their efforts on fish and aquatic invertebrates and are interested in receiving constructive comments regarding these taxa. ...* which sections on the euthanasia of finfish and other aquatic species they believe are still appropriate and scientifically justified; * which sections are not feasible or no longer justified; ...* if there are any other issues that have not been resolved or discussed in the document. Please provide the AWG with scientific or gray literature citations that are relevant and not presently incorporated into the existing document. Send your e-mail suggestions to, and give your contact information in case we have questions.

New fish habitat in Trenton Channel

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-11-30T20:02:55-05:00

We are thankful for many things on this holiday, but when it comes to our water resources in Southeast Michigan, we are grateful when good news gushes our way. ...John Hartig, Detroit River International Refuge Manager, said the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality took the lead in negotiating and approving the cleanup of the BASF Corporation Riverview site in the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River,  ...Fish and Wildlife Service have a goal to reduce levels of toxic substances to a threshold that does not threaten or harm or adversely affect wildlife, fish or human health, Hartig said. ...Hartig said the USFWS provided input to the DEQ and BASF regarding the need to stop the input of contaminants from the BASF Riverview site. "Further, we encouraged the removal of 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Trenton Channel (out in front of the BASF Riverview site) and disposal of the contaminated sediment in the upland containment cell on site," Hartig said. ...Once the input of contaminants was stopped and the sediment remediation was completed, the USFWS encouraged BASF to construct the fish habitat and provided advice.  ..."This habitat project was done as part of the Michigan DEQ approved remediation of the BASF Riverview site," Hartig said. "Again, once the input of contaminants was stopped (as a result of the remediation) and 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments in the Trenton Channel remediated, then one acre of fish habitat was constructed."

Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program Newsletter

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-11-24T20:37:17-05:00

"Working with our partners to conserve, protect and enhance the Nation's ...Drug Administration approval for drugs, chemicals and therapeutants ...The latest edition of the AADAP Newsletter (Vol. 5-3) is now available ...To view click on the following link and click on either the pdf of xps version link to download: ...SLICE(r) approved in Canada with zero-withdrawal ...AFS's Aquaculture Drugs, Chemicals and Biologics WG ...Authorizations received for Aqui-S(r) E & Benzoak(r) VET INADs

CFIA Request for Comments - Aquatic Facilities Pathogen Containment Standards

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-11-24T20:35:40-05:00

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking comments on the Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens. ...The new standards outline the unique physical and operational containment requirements for facilities working with aquatic animal pathogens. ...Once the Standards come into effect, only facilities meeting the requirements will be issued an import permit. The Standards will also be used to provide guidance on the handling of aquatic animal pathogens found in Canada. ...Comments on the draft Standards can be submitted to standardsnormes@inspection.gc.ca and will be accepted until January 4, 2010. We would ask that anyone who submits comments on the wording of the draft Standards to provide suggested alternate wording where possible. ...The Standards will then be finalized, with a transition period to follow until December 31, 2010. Following the transition period, the Standards will come into effect on January 1, 2011 and will be mandatory for facilities importing aquatic animal pathogens.

Asian carp may have breached Great Lakes barrier

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-11-23T18:00:27-05:00

Federal officials say DNA evidence shows the aggressive Asian carp may have breached the electronic barrier designed to prevent it from invading the Great Lakes. Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers said today that DNA of the giant carp has been found north of the barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. ... Environmentalists fear the carp could wreak havoc on the region's $4.5 billion fishing industry. "This means we have to take aggressive action now because an invasion is imminent," said Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and Invasive Species at Great Lakes United. ...Asian carp escaped from Southern fish farms in the 1990s and have been migrating up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. They grow to more than 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. The powerful carp are known to knock boaters from their boats. ... http://www.detnews.com/article/20091120/METRO/911200420/1409/METRO

Lost Pics

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-11-10T17:39:13-05:00

Chris Craft Marsh Hawkins Point Cuthbertson cabin

Fisherman reels in monster 6ft perch... after battling with a CROCODILE

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-10-19T08:32:56-04:00

It's not often that you'd describe the angler, rather than the fish, as the one that got away. But that was certainly the case for Tim Smith, who lived to tell the tale after tussling with a crocodile over this monster 6ft Nile perch. The art teacher, 39, had already been engaged in a titanic battle to reel in the 249lb fish for 45 minutes in his tiny motor boat on the Victoria Nile in Uganda when he realised he had a fiercer rival. Fortunately, however, it was the 39-year-old art teacher who turned out to be the one that got away, managing to tether his catch to the boat before firing the motor into life, leaving his opponent empty-mouthed in his wake. And he was able to pose by his giant prize - which may be a record - for this spectacular photograph. Back from his Ugandan trip and home to mercifully crocodile-free Northern Ireland, he told yesterday of his transformation from being the hunter to the hunted. He had been grappling with the fish while in a small boat on the Victoria Nile in Uganda, about a mile downstream from the stunning Murchison Falls, for about 45 minutes when he realised he had competition. ...Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220924/Fisherman-reels-monster-6ft-perch--battling-CROCODILE.html#ixzz0UNuOGLKP

Osprey nest in Wayne County is cause for celebration

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-28T12:12:52-04:00

Pair are 1st of their kind since 1890s, officials say ...First the beaver made a comeback, and now the osprey. State and federal wildlife authorities said today that a pair of osprey successfully nested in Wayne County this year in the first such documented case since the 1890s. One of the largest birds of prey in North America with a nearly six-foot wingspan, osprey are known as “fish hawks” and feed almost exclusively on fish. The pair of osprey built a nest earlier this year in a cell phone tower near the Gibraltar Wetlands Unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, said John Hartig, manager of the wildlife refuge. ...Osprey have been returning to the southeast Michigan region since about 2002, with 18 confirmed nests and 46 chicks born, said Jim Kortge of Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan. But the pair near the Gibraltar refuge marks the first successful nesting pair in Wayne County in more than a century. Click here for the entire article: http://www.freep.com/article/20090928/NEWS02/90928027/1319/Osprey-nest-in-Wayne-County-is-cause-for-celebration

One Big Fish

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-23T15:30:56-04:00

Caught on Sept 20, 2009 it was 54" and tipped the scale @ 36lbs

$20M study on human health and fish consumption

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-21T21:34:04-04:00

Largest ever fish health study to get under way THE largest ever study into the health benefits of eating fish is about to get under way later this year. The $20-million US Government sponsored probe is to examine whether fish oil and Vitamin D can help prevent heart disease, cancer and a range of other illnesses. The heart benefits of eating fish - and oily fish in particular - have been flagged up for years and are unashamedly used by seafood companies when marketing their products. Just recently oily fish is claimed to help prevent a range of other health problems from mental illness to blindness. But some of the claims are now being challenged, pointing out that ... See the source (http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/12679) for the full story.

Mackie's Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-10T10:06:32-04:00

They are still catching walleyes over by the Middle Channel, but they are working really hard for them. Perch are being caught all over the Lake, but are still running on the small size. Nice sized Bass are still hitting in the Channels. A few cat fish and suckers are being caught in the channels.

Transgenic Fish Caution/No Health Risk

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-08T18:43:37-04:00

Researchers studying transgenic fish at the University of Gothenburg at the behest of the European Union (EU) have highlighted the potential of the fish to revolutionise fish farming but warned against its open system cultivation. "Until further notice, transgenic fish should be bred in closed systems on land," specified Fredrik Sundström at the Department of Zoology of the university. The fast-growing fish, however, can go a long way towards taking the weight off endangered and overexploited wild fish stocks, he noted. The scientists furnished fish with transgenes, or genes from other organisms, and were able to produce fish that can grow substantially faster and can resist diseases with greater resilience. It was found that fish genes can be modified to handle different situations more smoothly, such as survival and spawning in colder temperatures, and yield higher production volumes. Regardless, if these fish should enter the wild, they may cause harmful effects to the ecosystem. In terms of toxins, these fish ... See the source (http://tinyurl.com/l54zfs) for the full story.

5 targets of Great Lakes cleanup

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-07T17:33:44-04:00

The Great Lakes system has 180 invasive species that crowd out and could destroy native fish, wildlife and plants. They include such plants as the purple loosestrife which, free of its back-home European insect predator, forms dense patches that frogs, muskrats and ducks can't use as suitable nesting and hiding sites or food. One new invasive arrives every eight months from such sources as oceangoing commercial ships, recreational boat trailers, anglers' bait, gardeners and exotic pet owners. ...Scientists will also look for troublesome waterways that may need barriers, similar to the electric fence built at the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal to try to prevent the voracious Asian carp from moving from the Mississippi River into Lake Michigan. Environmentalists also want to develop education and outreach programs for hunters, anglers and recreational boaters so they aren't unintentionally adding invasive species to the water system. ...Commercial development, invasive species and dams have contributed to the loss of more than two-thirds of Great Lakes wetlands, sometimes called the "kidneys" of the system because they clean out pollutants from water as well as provide shelter for wildlife. ..."If you don't restore the wetlands, you won't have fish to catch, ducks to hunt or wildlife to watch," said Gildo Tori, director of public policy at Ducks Unlimited. ...The bill sets as a goal to fund protection and restoration of 23,000 acres of coastal, wetland, shoreline and upland habitats, as well as 1,000 miles of streams for fish passage.

Mackie's Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-09-03T19:34:19-04:00

Walleyes are really hitting in most parts of Lake St. Clair right now, especially in the Middle and Shipping Channel. Most people who are going Walleye fishing are coming back with their limits. Also, perch is doing really well in channels and by the lights houses, but be warned the perch are running on the small size. There are reports of the larger perch being caught in the weeds and down the Sni. Bass is still doing very well in the channels. Good luck this weekend and enjoy the holiday!

$1 billion proposed in 2010 for Great Lakes restoration

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-08-31T20:33:22-04:00

Washington -- Congress is poised to nearly double its funding commitment to the Great Lakes, adding up to $475 million for restoration that would deter invasive species, clean up polluted sites and create jobs in Michigan and the region. ...Since home building went bust in Michigan, Hamlin has kept his business going by digging up land to create wetlands instead of basements. "Great Lakes work is pretty much all there is," said Hamlin, whose bulldozers, other heavy equipment and crews are transforming 70 acres of corn and bean farmland in Newport into a wetlands habitat for migratory birds along Lake Erie. ..."Beyond my own workers, probably another 150 people end up getting work, by making pipes, or pumps and other materials we use." The unprecedented amount of money being considered for the Great Lakes reflects President Barack Obama's pledge on the campaign trail of $5 billion for large-scale restoration. ...Already the federal government appropriates about $550 million a year to Great Lakes programs, which environmentalists expect will continue. If all goes as advocates hope, Congress would be committing about $1 billion to the Great Lakes in fiscal year 2010. ...The Senate seeks less money -- $400 million -- in a bill that could pass as early as mid-September.

Congratulations James and Karrie!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-08-24T16:47:07-04:00

For more wedding pictures visit http://photos.madisonmackie.com.

Late ~ AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-08-10T19:29:43-04:00

Throughout the Downriver area the Detroit River is giving up plenty of walleye in the early morning and late evening hours around Celeron Island, Rat Island, pretty much the entire lower Trenton Channel, off of Sugar Island and near the Cross-Dyke. ... Anglers are finding decent fishing for bass, a few walleye and good fishing for carp and cat fish on the Huron River. ...Off of Port Austin walleye action is good in 20-50 feet of water trolling crawler harnesses. ... The steelhead action is better for anglers fishing in 100-150 feet of water. Perch numbers are nice with anglers fishing near the weed beds and lake trout are biting more toward the bottom. Around the Port Sanilac area anglers are doing well for salmon, steelhead, lake trout and a few perch. Off of Harbor Beach decent numbers of walleye are hitting right inside the harbor on a variety of spoons with blues, greens and yellow the most popular. ... Anglers fishing on Saginaw Bay near Linwood are finding nice walleye numbers in 15-20 feet of water.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-30T21:23:41-04:00

For the best musky fishing, head toward the red barn or over to Canadian waters and bass can be taken just about anywhere. ...Walleye are also being caught in the channel cuts of the river, near the last green buoy and near Sugar Island in 14 feet of water. ...Near Monroe, walleye activity remains good around Estral Beach, Stony Point, Bolles Harbor and out in front of the Fermi Stacks in water up to 23 feet deep. ...Clair Shores; The Bait and Tackle Box-Trenton; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale. ...The walleye are being caught in about 20-25 feet of water fishing the bottom. ...Near Bay City, the best areas have been close to the edge of the shipping channel and between the Spark Plug and buoys 1 and 2. ...Perch fishing out from Port Sanilac or Lexington has been very slow with no report on walleye action for the week. ...Information providers: 1st & Main-Bay Port; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish and Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron.

Michiganders angling for cheap fun, dinner

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-27T20:33:10-04:00

More Michigan residents are hanging out their "Gone Fishin' " signs this year, looking for a cheap afternoon of fun -- and with some luck, a free dinner. ...But, while more people are fishing, they appear to be doing it mostly from small boats or shorelines. Boat registrations have dropped in Michigan in the past year: There were 8,200 fewer boats registered this year, down from 950,772 in 2008, according to state records. Boat sales are down and more boat owners, especially those with larger vessels, are keeping them in dry dock because of rising fuel costs and a sluggish economy. With Michigan's rich abundance of freshwater lakes and rivers, boating experts predict that boat sales and registrations again will climb once the economy recovers. "There is no place like this in the world," said Van Snider, president of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. ...Although there are no numbers kept to show how many people are frying up the walleye and filleting the bluegill, people in the industry said the trend is obvious. "You can't eat golf balls," said Veronica Pinto, a co-owner of Lakeside Fishing Shop on Jefferson Avenue in St.

Great Lakes fishing captains face rough sailing in economic slump

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-26T16:20:03-04:00

OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Gulls shrieked overhead as Bob Hall lugged a pair of plastic 5-gallon gas cans down the dock to fill up his fishing boat, then hopped on a golf cart and headed to a gas station for another load. Hauling the fuel rather than buying it at higher-priced marina pumps will save $20 — a worthwhile effort when bookings are down 30% for his charter fishing business on Lake Erie. Fishing boat captains all along the Great Lakes are struggling to stay afloat this summer, some losing half of their customers because of the manufacturing and economic slump in the Midwest. ...Many companies have eliminated annual fishing outings that they would use to reward employees, said Bob Zales II, president of the National Association of Charterboat Operators. “If you’re laying people off, it’s hard to justify taking the others out to have fun,” he said. Along the Great Lakes, longtime customers who fish for walleye, salmon, perch, bass, and trout are canceling trips or booking shorter stays. ...“For the guys that are making $800-a-month boat payments, it’s going to be very tough,” said John Atwell, who runs a charter boat on Lake Huron out of Port Austin, Mich. ...Charter captains on the East and West coasts and along the Gulf of Mexico say it’s been a rough ride, too.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-23T18:29:19-04:00

Great walleye fishing taking place near Harrison in 28-30 feet of water near the Fire Cracker and anglers are obtaining limits using crawler harnesses. ...Near Monroe walleye activity remains good around Stoney Point and Brest Bay and out in front of the Fermi Stacks in 19-20 feet of water. ...Further out on Lake Erie, anglers are doing very well around all of the Islands and near Buoys 1 and 2. ...In the Belleville area some great crappie and walleye fishing is taking place near Sandy’s Marina and near the Rawsonvillle Road Bridge in the early morning hours. ... The Huron River near Geddes Road or Argo Park in Ann Arbor is a good spot for some nice bass fishing with artificial frogs. ...Linwood anglers are heading straight out to the edge of the shipping channels in 20-25 feet of water for some nice perch action. ... Sand Point is a good location when the winds are calm for some good walleye fishing in deeper water with crawlers and harnesses. ...Information providers: 1st & Main-Bay Port; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-16T16:40:19-04:00

Lots of anglers are out just off of Harrison where the musky and walleye fishing is hot on crawler harnesses in 19 feet of water. ...Clair Shores anglers are having good luck fishing for walleye on the Detroit River near the sand piles, near the Ambassador Bridge towards the Canadian side, in front of Windsor Casino and off of Joe Louis arena. ...Actually all up and down the Detroit River the walleye fishing is good on both the Canadian and U.S. sides and hand liners are doing very well near the salt mines and all the way down to the Trenton Channel, around Celeron and Horse Islands. ...Walleye are hitting pretty much all over Lake Erie, but especially near the E-Buoy, Dumping Grounds and Luna Pier on Hot-n-Tots and Wiggle Warts. ...Bay City anglers are pulling in some perch near Buoy’s 1 and 2 off the channel on crawler harnesses and worms. In the same location walleye are hitting on bottom bouncers, popular colors include chartreuse, pink or purple and south of the Spark Plug anglers are obtaining limits. ... Crawler harnesses 10-20 feet back with quarter ounce in-lines running 1.3-1.5 seems to be working well with purple, pink, red and chartreuse bead combo’s with various #6 Colorado blades, gold or copper backed. ...The mouth of the Black River is mass producing Silver bass and the fish are huge and anglers can expect to find large quantities of Silver bass around Marine City as well.

AAA Fishing Reports

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-09T17:08:00-04:00

Fair Haven anglers are doing well fishing near Grass Island for perch using minnows and the walleye action is good from Marysville to Port Huron. ...Clair and a variety of baits are working well that include crawler harnesses, Hot-n-Tots, wiggle warts, bombers, live baits and using planer boards. ... Clair River is also producing good fishing on a variety of species and anglers are using Pencil Plugs and Rapalas and hand lining at night with good success. ...In Rock Wood, anglers shore fishing from Lake Erie Metro Park are doing well for small and large mouth bass using Kelly rubber worms or crayfish as well as catfish on shrimp and green crawlers. ...River Raisin, Estral Beach, Brest Bay, Stoney Point, Bolles Harbor and the Banana Dyke are all producing nice numbers of walleye in 15-24-feet of water or shallower with anglers getting good results using bottom bouncers, crawler harnesses and worms. ...Near Standish anglers getting out are locating walleye in 25-30 feet of water and using crawler harnesses and spoons while off of Bay City 12-feet of water seems to be the hot depth for walleye. Again this week, Callahan Reef is producing fish in 8-10 feet of water, most anglers are trolling quarter to half ounce in-line weights and crawler harnesses 10-20 feet behind planer boards.... Grindstone City and Harbor Beach are good for walleye fishing in 10-20 feet of water with Bombers, Hot-n-Tots and crawler harnesses.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-07-01T20:39:01-04:00

Windy weather slowed up fishing in the past few days, but conditions are improving off of the Ecorse, River Rouge and Melvindale areas where walleye fishing is decent on the Detroit River. ...Try the Livingston Channel starting near Turtle Bay and work your way up the shoreline towards the Hole-in-the-wall and lots of fish can be had, including walleye in 25-30 feet. ... Walleye activity is decent hand lining from the lower Trenton Channel to the mouth of Lake Erie but the white perch fishing is actually better at this point. ...Off of the Monroe area just north of the Fermi Plant plenty of fish are active in 20-22 feet of water particularly near the Bell Buoy. ...Perch action is good off the E-Buoy, C-Can, Toledo Beach, in 21-feet of water around Holiday Beach, near Colchester and off all of the Islands. ...Again this week anglers are doing very well on both Belleville and Ford lakes for good numbers of walleye using Fathead minnows, wax worms and night crawlers. ...Information providers: Bluewater Bait-Fairhaven; WalleyeKid.com; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101; Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale; Gander Mountain-Taylor and The Bait & Tackle Box-Trenton. ...Plenty of rain and windy conditions for anglers around Bay City but the weather is improving and the walleye continue to bite around Finn Road.

Farmed fish may pose risk for mad cow disease

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-29T20:11:02-04:00

Friedland, questions the safety of eating farmed fish in the latest issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease adding a new worry to concerns about the US food supply. Friedland and his co-authors suggest farmed fish could transmit Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD) - the "mad cow" disease - if they are fed byproducts rendered from cows. ...Still, we believe that out of reasonable caution for public health, the practice of feeding rendered cows to fish should be prohibited," Friedland said. ...The authors argue that it may be possible for a disease to be spread by eating a carrier that is not infected itself. 'It's also possible that eating diseased cow parts could cause fish to experience a pathological change that allows the infection to be passed between the two species.' The study will likely cause uproar in the global aquaculture industry - with cries against 'fear mongering' - while playing in the hands of the various lobbies opposed to fish farming on various grounds. It must also be stressed that all fish are not born equal when it comes to the quality of the feed; this varies with species, countries and individual companies. ...In 2002, advisers to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposed (this was not retained) that farmed fish be checked for BSE-like diseases; as virtually no research has been carried in that area.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-24T20:32:54-04:00

The Trenton Channel is slow for walleye but the fish are moving back in and up the river and anglers are trolling with spoons, hand lining and averaging 6-10 fish per boat. ...Anglers fishing Lake Erie and out by the Detroit Light and Buoy 10 are pulling in a few good size walleye on minnows and some perch are biting on shiner minnows on perch rigs. Off of Rock Wood shore fishing is good for catfish on shrimp and crawlers, while bass are hitting in good numbers on spinner bait. ...Walleye activity is good at Stoney Point, Estral Beach and out in front and north of Fermi in 13-20 feet of water using crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers with purple and pink the best producers. ...Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale; WalleyeKid.com-Canton; Gander Mountain-Taylor and The Bait & Tackle Box-Trenton. ...Off of Standish walleye action is good in 25-27 feet of water and best results are found using crawlers, harnesses and spoons. Saginaw Bay, the fish are hitting off of Linwood in deeper waters around 20-24 feet on crawler harnesses and Hot-N-Tots. ...Hot weather has heated up the walleye fishing and Bay Port anglers are heading straight out to fish around North Island and using crawlers with very good results.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-18T15:33:41-04:00

Clair Shores anglers are heading right out in front of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club for some pretty good walleye action on the Detroit River. ...Silver bass are still on the heavy side in certain areas of the Detroit River and walleye remain in the river but overall the majority seems to have moved out from the Gibraltar area to deeper waters of Lake Erie. ...Straight out from Monroe heavy walleye fishing is taking place in 24-30 feet of water on Lake Erie near the Turn-Around Buoy out in front of the Fermi Plant. ...Purple and watermelon colored crawler harnesses and one ounce in-line weights 40-55 feet back seem to take most fish, but a few are hitting on bottom bouncers. ...Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale; WalleyeKid.com-Canton; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101 and Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac. ...Bay City anglers are fishing the Saginaw River for catfish using crawlers with harnesses and walleye catches remain good off Quanicassee and Finn Road. ...Sand Point off of the Bay Port area is producing good numbers of walleye and anglers using Hot-N- Tots and crawler harnesses are limiting out. ...Information providers: Frank’s Place-Harbor Beach; 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish; Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.

Fress Fishing Weekend

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-11T21:42:16-04:00

Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premiere outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE! ...Residents and outstate visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. ...For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a tradition - a time to get together and have some fishing fun. While some may find time to reflect while fishing, there are no limits to variations on a great theme! Michigan offers some of the finest freshwater fishing in the world, with more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, over 11,037 inland lakes and 36,350 miles of rivers and streams. Included are 12,000 miles of trout waters, for which approximately 1,000 miles are considered Michigan's finest blue ribbon trout mainstreams. So grab a pole and your family and friends, and let's go fishing! Source: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261_50497---,00.html

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-10T19:32:08-04:00

Carp are spawning and creating a stir in several of the yacht clubs on Grosse Ile and averaging 20 to 25 pounds and right along with them silver bass are in abundance. ...Near Rock Wood, right out in front of Lake Erie Metro Park the walleye action is good as well as south of Calf Island. ...Off of Monroe, anglers fishing Lake Erie for walleye are doing well near Stoney Point in 23-27 feet of water, near Estral Beach in 19-20 feet and near the north side of the Banana Dyke in 15-18 feet of water. ... Off shore fishing is great off Pointe Mouille at night for catfish and on the Huron River for large and small mouth bass. ...Further out on Lake Erie the walleye action is good around West Sister in 24-28 feet of water, around the shipping channels, near the Sputnik, Turn-Around and E Buoys, and near the Dumping Grounds, worms and minnows work well. ...Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale and Gander Mountain-Taylor. ...Standish anglers are doing well for walleye on Saginaw Bay near the Catfish Hole and in waters 14-feet deep. ...Information providers: 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish; Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101; WalleyeKid.com and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.

DNR investigates fish kill in Lake St. Clair

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-09T18:31:20-04:00

State wildlife experts want to know why thousands of dead fish are floating on Lake St. ...Rotting fish, including smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, perch and bass, are littering boat wells and shorelines across several miles. "It was just unbelievable," said Adam Jankowski, a Harrison Township resident who usually puts his boat in the water at St. ... "Thursday and Friday, my wife and I were on the boat coasting south from 11 Mile Road to Seven Mile Road. ...Officials with Michigan's Department of Natural Resources began receiving complaints about a fish kill last week, but answers remain a long way off. ...However, many of the dead fish were already so decomposed that they may yield nothing to investigators. The live fish taken in showed no outward signs of disease, said Bob Haas, a DNR fish research biologist. ...http://www.detnews.com/article/20090609/METRO/906090346/DNR-investigates-fish-kill-in-Lake-St.-Clair

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-06-03T17:29:59-04:00

Anglers are using planer boards, crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers with great success in about 10 to 12 feet of water. ...Anglers heading over to the Canadian side are catching good numbers of walleye near Holiday Beach and the rock pile. ...Perch activity remains good near E-Buoy, Mc Donald Buoy, the Dumping Grounds and off the Sputnik Buoy with minnows and worms the preferred bait. ...Anglers are catching walleye in Ford and Belleville lakes using jerk baits and minnows as the bait of choice. ...Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery, Harrison Township; South Street Tackle, Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle, Rockwood; Erie Party Shop, Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box, Melvindale. ...For those anglers fishing the northern portion of the bay try trolling with stick baits in 25 to 30 feet of water. ...From Harbor Beach to Port Sanilac anglers are heading out into 60 to 110 feet of water for King Salmon and Silver Bass. Fishing from the breakwall in Harbor Beach is producing good numbers of Coho fishing with spoons and body baits.

Video: Fishing for food

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-30T12:40:27-04:00

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-27T20:00:19-04:00

Excellent catches of small mouth bass hitting out in front of the yacht club all the way to Metro Beach in 10 to 12 feet of water. ...Huge numbers of anglers are fishing near Belanger Park near River Rouge for Silver Bass using mainly minnows with a few trying pearly whites, white Twister Tails and Rooster Tails. ...There is still a lot of walleye in the Detroit River on the lower Trenton channel but anglers will work hard to get past the heavy amount of Silver Bass that seem to be taking over. ...The reef in front of the Erie Metro Park in Rock Wood is giving up a few walleye on crank bait and crawler harnesses. ...Walleye activity is good off the south end of Bolles Harbor, in front of the Fermi Plant, in the shipping channels, near the Sputnik and Turn-Around Buoys and off of the Island’s using mostly minnows. ...Windy conditions are also curtailing angling activity around Bay City, but anglers getting out are finding decent walleye action on Saginaw Bay in 12-20 feet of water on worms and night crawlers. ...South of Lexington anglers are reeling in some perch and off of the Port Huron area the fishing seems to have slowed down a bit with some bait fish coming in. ... Silver Bass are just starting to run in the Black River and at the mouth of the river perch are biting and a few pike.

Free Fishing Weekend

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-26T18:15:07-04:00

For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a tradition - a time to get together and have some fishing fun. While some may find time to reflect while fishing, there are no limits to variations on a great theme! Michigan offers some of the finest freshwater fishing in the world, with more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, over 11,037 inland lakes and 36,350 miles of rivers and streams. ...Some of the reasons: living in urban or suburban areas where fishing access is not readily available, competition for time by an ever-increasing schedule of special activies, and too little time for unstructured leisure. Taking "time out" by fishing can be a great way to offset some of the many challenges and stresses that we all seem to be faced with today. ...For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a tradition - a time to get together and have some fishing fun. While some may find time to reflect while fishing, there are no limits to variations on a great theme! Many have found this special weekend to be a good time for a reunion with friends and family with fishing and fun a great combination for all!

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-20T21:04:15-04:00

Clair is giving up very good catches of walleye from Metro Beach to Nine Mile Road in 10 to 12 feet of water and out in front of the spillway, anglers are using bottom bouncers and drifting with good success as well as using night crawlers when fishing Lake St. ... Clair Shores anglers fishing the Detroit River are doing very well for walleye on both the American and Canadian sides mainly at night hand lining with Rapalas. ...Anglers fishing the east side of Grosse Ile, in front of Erie Metro Park or out on Lake Erie are tending to use crank bait and crawler harnesses. ...Off of the Monroe area good walleye fishing continues to take place in 22-24 feet of water around Bolles Harbor, River Raisin, Stony Point, Brest Bay and out at the Detroit Light. ...Information providers: Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, Bluewater Bait-Fairhaven; WalleyeKid.com; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101; Gander Mountain-Taylor; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale. ...Despite the windy conditions this week, Standish area anglers are doing well for walleye on Saginaw Bay in 12 to 14 feet of water and using crawler harnesses. ... Saginaw Bay has steady walleye action straight out from Linwood in 12-20 feet of water and anglers are finding success with crawler harnesses. ...Straight out off Harbor Beach anglers are fishing in 40-feet of water for good numbers of Coho, lake trout, steelhead and a few perch on Lake Huron.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-14T19:48:16-04:00

Walleye are pretty much everywhere on the Detroit River, a good location is in the upper river from Belanger Park north and jigging is still preferred. If fishing near Belanger Park keep your eye peeled for a few elusive sturgeon, even though you can’t keep the fish, it is quite the feat to reel one in. ...Walleye action is still good around Fighting Island near Buoy 94, Grassy Island, and Mud Island between the main channel markers on the north end and in front of the blue steel plant in the main channel by Buoy 104. ...Walleye have started to move out to the lake and some decent fishing can be found in the 20 feet of water and near the shipping channels, Hot-n-Tots seem to be working. ...Information providers: Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, Bluewater Bait-Fairhaven; WalleyeKid.com; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101; Gander Mountain-Taylor; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale. ...Walleye action in the Standish area continues to be very good out on Saginaw Bay in about 19 feet of water and when using crawler harnesses. ...Sebewaing has good walleye activity in 13-feet of water and out of Quanicassee anglers are heading 13 miles out and using crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers to get results. ...In the Port Huron area the salmon seemed to have slowed down and moved more north, however anglers can pick up a half dozen or so about 10 miles out on Lake Huron.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-05-06T19:12:58-04:00

Clair Shores off of Masonic Boulevard anglers are catching and releasing good numbers of small mouth bass and some perch on small minnows. ... On the Canadian side the fishing is getting better and the water is clearing up and best spots are off of the casino, near the Canadian Club plant and out in front of the fountain in Windsor. ...The Detroit River around Belanger Park near River Rouge is coming on strong for Silver Bass as well as south of Trenton where the fish are moving into the river. ...Hot spots include Fighting Island between the candle stick and the water intake on the American side in 31-38 feet of water using green or chartreuse jigs with a brown Wyandotte Worm or a live minnow. ... Other baits that are working on walleye include bottom bouncers, live bait, green jig heads, gulp minnows, stinger hooks and some anglers are starting to use crawler harnesses. ...Lake Erie is giving up some perch that are hitting near the Detroit Light, in the shipping channels, near the Sputnik Buoy and out in front of the River Raisin. ...Walleye are also found in good numbers off of Luna Pier, in the shipping channels, around Turtle Island, near the Detroit Lighthouse and near the water in-take in Ohio. ...Bay Port anglers are finding good action around North Island where the walleye activity is picking up when using crawlers.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-30T08:15:14-04:00

Bay Port had a few small perch catches and a few anglers were catching and releasing some bass. Saginaw Bay gave up a few walleye on golden shiners, husky jerks, body baits and minnows during the evening hours, but overall the fishing opportunities have been limited. ...Port Sanilac and Lexington anglers are trolling in 10-20 feet of water using some spoons but mostly body baits. ... The mouth of the Black River the perch are starting to pick up with best results using Emerald Shiners and small perch bait. ...A few anglers have been out catching and releasing small mouth bass in 6-8 feet of water on Lake St. ...When the wind dies down, expect anglers to be back out at the hot spots that include off the wall near BASF, and near Great Lakes Steel Boat Club and the steel mill area where anglers were getting limits easily. Off of Monroe, high winds kept anglers off of Lake Erie earlier this week but today some attempted are back at it fishing around Bolles Harbor, Brest Bay and near River Raisin seeking walleye. ...Good fishing around Belleville where anglers are getting decent catches of walleye and pike on both Ford and Belleville lakes using suckers and Red Devil spoons.

Shetland (UK) ISA outbreak - Code of Good Practice not followed

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-27T19:41:03-04:00

The outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in Shetland this year may have been aggravated by a code of good practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture not being fully complied with, it has been claimed. Charles Allan, group leader of the Fish Health Inspectorate based at the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, also revealed today that companies experienced difficulties in maintaining continuity of businesses when movement restrictions were served to control a serious notifiable disease in the whole management area. And he said that although disposal routes were identified and available to handle routine production wastes, there was no immediately available method of disposal for large volumes of controlled fish waste. On January 2, Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) was confirmed on a salmon growing site in Shetland, the first confirmation of ISA in Scotland since an earlier outbreak in 1998. The site in question had been visited for other purposes during December 2008 by staff from the Fisheries Research Services (now part of Marine Scotland) Fish Health Inspectorate. During that visit, moribund fish were observed and a routine diagnostic sample was taken. At that time it was ... See the source (http://tinyurl.com/cser2x) for the full information.

Oxytetracycline efficacy data to support new fish drugs

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-27T19:38:59-04:00

April 20, 2009 Source: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/NADAAppFish.htm FDA Issues a Notice of the Availability of Effectiveness Data to Support a New Animal Drug Application for Fish The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a Public Master File (PMF) containing effectiveness data for use of oxytetracycline quaternary salt in feed for two indications: to control mortality in freshwater-reared salmonids due to coldwater disease associated with Flavobacterium psychrophilum and to control mortality in freshwater-reared Oncorhynchus mykiss due to columnaris disease associated with Flavobacterium columnare. The data have been reviewed by FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and may be used by pharmaceutical sponsors at no cost, along with the additional manufacturing, labeling, and other required information to constitute a complete new animal drug application (NADA), to support the approval of this drug. Today's announcement is not for the approval of this drug - only that effectiveness data are available to support a pharmaceutical sponsor's new animal drug application for this drug. The data, contained in Public Master File (PMF) 5927, was compiled by researchers at the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/home.htm, a partnership-based program to conserve, protect, and enhance the Nation's fishery resources by coordinating activities to obtain FDA approval for drugs needed in aquaculture and fisheries management programs. For additional information on aquaculture, please see http://www.fda.gov/cvm/aqualibtoc.

15th Annual USFWS Aquaculture Drug Approval Coordination Workshop

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-23T19:10:38-04:00

As some of you may be aware, the 15th Annual U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Aquaculture Drug Approval Coordination Workshop is being hosted this year by the U.S. ... The Workshop is being held in Little Rock, Arkansas and will take place during the week of 8 June 2009.  A recently updated General Agenda has been added to our website, and can be viewed (along with other important information) at the following link: http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/inadworkshop09.htm  To help our host ensure that the meetings and all associated activities run as efficiently as possible, please register as early as possible. On-line registration ($25 payment to be made at the Workshop) and all current Workshop information can be found by clicking on the link above. ... If the experiences of those attending past Workshops is any indication, you can expect this year's Workshop to be both highly informative and enjoyable. The folks at SNARC have done an excellent job of arranging for a variety of afternoon and evening events (see the General Agenda for details), all of which are included within the modest registration fee. 

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-23T19:17:46-04:00

Large numbers of the fish are hitting on jigs and minnows in 10-12 feet of water. ...Off of the Harrison area the Detroit River is giving up walleye on plastics, jig heads and Finesse minnows. ... Anglers are catching and releasing small mouth bass that have turned-on this week out on Lake St. ... Fish are averaging 4-5 pounds and up to 70 fish per angler have been caught on tubes, crank baits and tube jigs. ...The Huron River in Flat Rock is giving up steelhead on streamers, egg sucking leeches, flies, little Cleo’s and bouncing single eggs. ...It’s been cold and windy at the top of the Thumb, and that has limited fishing activity around the Bay Port area. A fair amount of perch are being caught in the cuts using minnows and crawlers, but that’s pretty much it. ...Salmon fans are reeling in good numbers of fish ahead of a weekend tournament between Port Huron and Lexington.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-15T18:56:22-04:00

Fair Haven anglers are doing well for blue gill around Harsen’s Island using pieces of crawler, wax worms or bobber fishing. ...Now that the wind and cold weather is moving out the walleye action is picking up again on the Detroit River from Ecorse to Wyandotte but fish are not hitting in great numbers. ...From Trenton to Gibraltar the Detroit River is good for walleye catches as well as near the mouth of the Detroit River, the east side of Grosse Ile and near Dunbar Sullivan. ... Get in the action the “Michigan Walleye Tournament” takes place Saturday and Sunday on the Detroit River, launching out of Lake Erie Metro Park, call 734-379-9762 for details. Rain and windy conditions limited angling in the Monroe area earlier this week stirring up the Lake and making it look like chocolate it could take three to four days for the water clarity to return. ...In Ohio the warm waters are creating for excellent walleye action near the Toledo Light, on the Maumee River, around Turtle Island and in the shipping channels. ...Information providers: Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Gander Mountain-Taylor and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale. ...Sebewaing fishing is fair to good for perch, but fish are small in size with crawlers and minnows working ok.

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-12T18:21:20-04:00

Detroit River - Boat anglers are taking walleye when jigging or handlining up near Gibraltar and the Edison Plant. ...Clair River - A good variety of fish including steelhead, whitefish, coho, walleye, and suckers were caught in the upper river near Port Huron. ...Boats are trolling planer boards with body baits in 8 to 18 feet of water and taking coho, steelhead, walleye and a few chinook salmon. Saginaw Bay - Boat anglers fishing out around the commercial nets were getting some nice catches of perch. Shore anglers are catching small perch from the cut at the end of Palmer Road and off the docks at the Linwood Marina. ... Fishing here should pick up in the coming weeks as post-spawn walleye drop back down the Saginaw River system and re-enter the bay. ... Not much to report at Bay Shore Marina near Bay Port however keep an eye on this spot for perch and crappie. ...Sebewaing River - Lots of small perch are being caught in the river and the marina.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-08T20:37:55-04:00

Anglers seem to be doing the best in shallow water jigging with pink, gold and chartreuse lures, stinger hooks, walleye minnows, four-inch Finesse Tails and gulp grubs. ... Walleye activity is also hot from Trenton to Wyandotte in the early morning hours or late evening hours with some anglers limiting out. ...Anglers fishing around Grosse Ile are finding spotty perch action while some perch and blue gill are being caught around south Gibraltar. ...In the Flat Rock area the Huron River is producing steelhead at the dam on flies and spawn. ...Ford and Belleville lakes are both doing well for perch and crappie and the hot spot is near Rawsonville Road. ...In Ohio the Maumee River continues to be super hot for walleye, as well as Crain Creek and around Turtle Island. Information providers: Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; Little Dipper Bait & Tackle-Flat Rock; Erie Party Shop-Monroe; Lakeside Fishing Shop-St. ...Pink perch rigs are working well for anglers fishing for perch on Eagle Bay in the Standish area.

Spring 2009 Special on Virkon Aquatic

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-05T19:52:12-04:00

Starting April 1, 09, Virkon Aquatic is priced at 20% off regular pricing at Western Chemical. This is the best price ever offered on Virkon Aquatic and it is a good time to stock up. ...Virkon Aquatic is a Disinfectant / Virucide for use in disinfecting fish hauling trucks, boats, trailers, waders, nets, dive suits, tanks, equipment, sampling gear, fishing tackle etc. ... In many facilities it is being used as an alternative to bleach, Iodophore, and quaternary ammonia for routine disinfection and biosecurity tasks. ...Virkon Aquatic is available in 10 pound Tubs and new single use packets. The attached flyer will provide more information on Virkon Aquatic and our Spring 2009 Special. The special is in effect for a limited time only so don’t delay. ...For more information on Virkon Aquatic visit our website at: http://www.wchemical.com/VIRKON-AQUATIC-P44.aspx

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-04-04T09:01:55-04:00

The Lake Erie Metro Park in Rock Wood still has some anglers fishing from shore for perch and having good results. ...The lake continues to be dirty this week as well as cold and anglers are only getting one or two fish per boat. Below Edison the Huron River is good for steelhead and whitefish action on jig heads with wax worms or chartreuse and green baits. Ford and Belleville lakes are really heating up for perch and crappie with a variety of baits working well that include night crawlers, wax worms and minnows. ...Further south the Maumee River is still hot for walleye since fish are spawning, lots of angling activity taking place in the area. FLW Walleye Tournament takes place Saturday out of the Port Clinton area on Lake Erie, for details call 734-287-7420 or 270-252-1000. ...Around the Bay Port area anglers are doing well right off the docks with crawlers and minnows and fishing late in the day. ...Fishing is good for a variety of fish on the Black River near the mouth, from the shoreline and trolling downstream in 20-30 feet of water.

New Aquaculture Drug Update

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-03-29T18:25:52-04:00

FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Announces First Drug to be Placed in the Index of Legally Marketed Unapproved New Animal Drugs for Minor Species  Although the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004 provides FDA with the authority to place unapproved animal drugs for minor uses or minor species (MUMS) on an Index of legally marketable drugs, it has taken over four years for associated regulations to be written and for a new drug to work its way through the system. But, we are delighted to say the system DOES work, and the very first drug was recently (19 March 2006) added to the MUMS Index list. ... (Ferndale, Washington) and CVM’s Office of Minor Use Minor Species.  Western Chemical, Inc. received word that their spawning hormone, OVAPRIM® (salmon gonadotropin releasing hormone analog plus domperidone), may now be legally marketed as a spawning aid for use with ornamental fish broodstock. Refer to CVM’s Index webpage (http://www.fda.gov/cvm/MUMSIndexList.htm) and the most recent “CVM Update”   (http://www.fda.gov/cvm/NewAnimalDrugIndex.htm) for additional information on Ovaprim® or Western’s website (http://www.wchemical.com/OVAPRIM-P66C20.aspx).  Animal drugs that are on the Index carry with them specific conditions for use: (1) they may only be used on non-food fish, (2) they may only be used for the condition(s) identified in the Index, (3) the drug may only be obtained from the manufacturer identified on the Index, and (4) the drug may not be extra-label prescribed by a veterinarian.  

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-03-26T18:44:39-04:00

Perch have been very small in size around the western basin of Ford Yacht Club on Grosse Ile and the activity near the cross-dyke is hit-or-miss. ...Around the Rock Wood area, anglers fishing off the docks of the Metro Park Marina are doing well for crappie, perch and blue gill. ... The Huron River has high water but anglers are finding some steelhead around Rock Wood and Flat Rock when using spawn or wax worms under a bobber. Walleye are also active in the Huron River, however the season will not open until April 1, but anglers are doing well using wiggle rats and jigs with twister tails and tossing back. Off of Monroe activity has been slow all week due to rain and very high winds out of the east that caused three foot waves leaving waters very murky. ...Port Huron anglers are headed to the Black River which seems to be the best location for steelhead, whitefish, walleye, smelt and a few brown trout. ... Sucker fish are in large numbers on the Black River further up the system, not near the mouth, try using a night crawler on the bottom for good results. ...Perch action is good in the Standish area in the tributaries but anglers need to watch for some ice chunks bouncing around that could damage small boats.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-03-19T21:55:29-04:00

Bay City anglers are doing well for perch off of Quanicassee and at Sebewaing for perch in the river using perch rigs. ... A few anglers off of the Bay Port area are getting out and fishing for walleye on Saginaw Bay, but as a reminder the walleye season is closed on the river. ...Around the Standish area the ice is gone and several anglers are fishing off docks and doing well for perch on minnows and perch rigs. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City and Eagle Bay Marina-Standish. ...Off of the Fair Haven area, Harsen’s Island has some good action for blue gill and perch on minnows and wax worms. ...Today Elizabeth Park Marina in Trenton opened up for the season, and Lake Erie Metro Park Marina in Rock Wood has all docks installed and ready to go. ... The Detroit River is also giving up some good catches of northern pike with fish biting on walleye shiners under a bobber. ... The Huron River is giving up a few steelhead on spawn under a bobber in the Rock Wood and Flat Rock areas.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-03-16T19:17:54-04:00

Off of Quanicassee some anglers are getting a few perch in very shallow water, but the shore ice is really broken up and bad. Anglers in the Bay Port area are getting out in airboats to pull in a few walleye and perch. ...The ice overall is gone around Standish and what remains around the shoreline is questionable, be sure to use a spud and don’t venture more than a quarter mile or so out. Anglers are getting some perch today, but basically the next two weeks will be a transition mode just waiting to get the boats in the water. Port Sanilac has wide open water and not activity taking place and Lexington anglers are getting a few perch and steelhead fishing off the docks. ... Anglers continue to fish near the boardwalk and water filtration plant with some success for steelhead using Emerald shiners on the bottom. ...Fair Haven anglers are watching huge chunks of ice floating down the river and Anchor Bay certainly has unsafe ice, overall no angling action this week. ...In Flat Rock, the Lake Erie Metro Park Marina boat launch has two docks operational and a few anglers are launching boats and heading towards Gibraltar for perch action around the canals, near South Gibraltar Road and Kingsbridge Road.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-03-05T19:10:26-05:00

Port Huron anglers are fishing near the water filtration plant for some decent brown and steelhead action and success has been found using a large Emerald shiner bouncing off the bottom. Not much activity taking place this week on the Black River due to dirty water and suckers are no where to be found. ...Shore ice is good off of Algonac on Anchor Bay and anglers are doing well along the shoreline for perch. ... The ice is ok with anglers still driving four-wheelers to get out but use extreme caution near any areas that water feeds. ... The Clinton River is slow this week for steelhead due to rain and dirty water. ...A few anglers have braved the windy and cold temperatures and have launched boats to get a hit or miss walleye on the Detroit River. ... Anglers continue to pull in a few perch around the Lake Erie Metro Park Marina where ice is still 10-12 inches and off of the Banana Dyke at Pointe Mouille. ...Belleville anglers are doing well on Ford Lake for all types of fish and using a variety of baits that include mousies, spikes, wax worms and perch minnows.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-28T10:14:49-05:00

Bay City anglers are heading to Quanicassee for some decent perch action and fishing in 10-feet of water for best results. ...Anglers around Bay Port are fishing straight out and around Mudd Creek for good numbers of walleye using red teardrops with minnows. Standish area anglers continue to reel in good numbers of perch in 4-7 feet of water near Whites Beach. ...Around Port Huron the 40th Street Pond is still seeing some angling activity, but use good judgment on the ice and especially near any springs. ...The ice is averaging close to a foot thick, but anglers need to use caution near any stream or area that feeds water. ...Anglers are getting best results with Do-jiggers, spoons and jigging with Rapalas in 12-20 feet of water and between 5:30 and 6:30 at night. Harrison Township anglers are finding some decent results out in the Bay between Metro Beach and the Clinton River for perch, crappie and blue gill. ...A few perch can be had around the Lake Erie Metro Park Marina and near the Banana Dyke at Pointe Mouille.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-18T21:45:59-05:00

Off of Linwood, the ice is good on Saginaw Bay, but not safe near the mouth of the creeks and rivers. ...Walleye opportunities are best in waters 14 to 15 feet and for perch in 8 feet, both are biting on minnows. ...Information providers: Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; 1st and Main-Bay Port; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish and Michigan Sportsman-Bay City. ...Anchor Bay off of the Fair Haven area still has some murky water, but anglers are finding a few perch keepers. ...Clair Shores and Harrison Township area is overall in good shape, but anglers need to really know where to access from. ... Walleye action is good at night in 10-feet of water and jigs with Rapalas are doing fine. ...The Lake Erie Metro Park Marina has two docks ready to go, however it is really not recommended to go out in a boat just yet, way too many ice chunks floating. ...Belleville Lake the ice is skeptical at this point, anyone attempting to go out needs to use extreme caution.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-12T17:45:53-05:00

Algonac anglers are finding good fishing in Saginaw Bay, but the warm weather is making the ice unstable. ...Some fish are biting near the DNR launch and Gino’s surf in 5-6 feet of water. Walleye are biting at night and in the late afternoon in 8-10 feet of water. ... Salmo Chubby Darters are working on walleye and believe it or not, anglers are doing well on perch using Luhr Jensen eggs which are typically used for trout or salmon. ...Downriver anglers are doing well on the Detroit River behind Wyandotte Hospital for some decent perch action using live bait and wax worms. ... Gibraltar anglers with access or using a boat will find that the perch activity is very good throughout the canals. ...Some water tops the ice, but there is a lot of fish to be had. Perch and crappie are hitting on preserved wigglers and pike and a few walleye are biting on golden shiners or wax worms.

New USDA-APHIS Fish Health Website

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-11T18:52:35-05:00

The USDA-APHIS has launched a new Fish Health website. You can view the new site at http://www.focusonfishhealth.org/.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-05T17:02:54-05:00

In Saginaw, take part in the festivities of the "22nd Annual Shiver on the River” walleye contest taking place this weekend through February 14. Saginaw Bay near the Linwood area has decent walleye activity, not so many limit catches this week, fish seem to be scattered more. Anglers are using four-wheelers to go out five to eight miles; a GPS is a good idea to take along as well. ...Good perch and walleye activity taking place in the Bay Port area. ...Small sized perch and large sized browns are out there, but you will need to put your time in and move around a lot. ...Near Harrison Township, walleye activity is good in the late evening hours in 10 to 12 feet of water near Crocker launch, and south of Metro Beach a few walleye are biting on Lake St. ...Perch action has been hit or miss for anglers fishing off of Grosse Ile on Airport Bay. ... Same story around the Metro Park Marina near Rock Wood, the perch action is hit or miss, but on a good day, perch catches can be 30 to 40 fish.

EU Opinion on Farmed Trout Health and Welfare

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-02-03T20:32:27-05:00

Farmed Fish Feelings and Husbandry Systems EU - The Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel has delivered their Scientific Opinion on the welfare aspects of husbandry systems for farmed trout. The scientific opinion focus on the two main species farmed as 'trout' in Europe, these are the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792); and the brown trout; Salmo trutta L 1758. Trout are produced across Europe for various purposes and in a wide variety of production systems however there has been no systematic survey of production systems and husbandry procedures at a European level. From the data presented in the scientific report, several factors affecting trout welfare were identified: abiotic and biotic factors, feed and feeding, husbandry, genetic, disease and disease control measures. A risk assessment approach was carried out to obtain a risk ranking for these groups of factors, estimate which hazards are more important for each life stage and enable a comparison of the different production systems. ... ... See (http://tinyurl.com/5lk43o) for the full story. The EFSA report is available at http://tinyurl.com/6c3xgo.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-29T20:24:44-05:00

Anglers fishing off of the Banana Dyke in Berlin Township are doing well for perch and an occasional walleye in the mix. Remember that to get to the Banana Dyke you are on State Game Area, and motorized vehicles are not permitted, so anglers need to be prepared for a lengthy hike. In the Bellville area, Ford and Bellville lakes are on fire for perch, crappie, walleye and limits of blue gill. ... In the surrounding areas, all inland lakes, ponds and gravel pits are doing well on a variety of fish. ... An angler yesterday pulling in a 10-inch crappie had a 29 inch pike grab on to the crappie, nice surprise landing that pike. ...Anglers fishing off of the Bay Port area are doing well for walleye just off Thomas Road and seven miles out. ...Off of the Standish area, Saginaw Bay is providing plenty of good walleye action 5 ½ to 6 miles out. ...Lexington anglers are fishing in 30-40 feet of water during the early morning hours before the traffic starts for perch and a few steelhead.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-22T18:35:17-05:00

Pike spearing is good, perch activity is good, but fish are small in size and anglers will need to sort. ...The Banana Dyke is giving up plenty of perch, typically anglers are keeping 20 to 30 fish, and an occasional blue gill in the mix. Overall the action in the Gibraltar canals has slowed down this week, but near the South Gibraltar Road towards the north end the perch are biting but sorting is necessary. Airport Bay is hard to access but anglers getting out are finding that pike, blue gill, and perch are biting on wax worms and spikes. ...South Lake near Chelsea has fair fishing taking place and fishing improves over on Four Mile Lake where good numbers of pike and blue gill are biting. ...Linwood fishing is good for anglers looking for walleye, 10 to 14 feet of water seems to be popular and closer to shore fairs well for perch. ...Bay City area anglers are finding good ice and fishing is taking place all over for perch and walleye. ...Anglers fishing in the Standish area will find outstanding angling for walleye on Eagle Bay in 12 to 20 feet of water and fishing three to six miles out.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-15T20:13:48-05:00

Around Caseville, lake trout fishing is temperamental, out of the River is good, off of the break wall not so good changes day to day. Ice is averaging 10-inches in depth and anglers are reminded that trout from the River are legal, but trout off the break wall must be tossed back. ...Around Lexington there are numerous anglers out on the ice, steelhead action is decent and only a few perch are hitting. ...Clair Shores anglers are finding plenty of small size fish, blue gill and crappie near Gino’s Surf and a few around Metro Beach. ...The ice is 8-inches and the baits of choice include minnows, wax worms and wigglers. ... Near the Banana Dyke the ice is averaging 6-inches and wigglers are working well on perch with anglers getting 15-20 in a trip. ... The Huron River has no activity at this point due to a very heavy ice flow. ...Brest Bay is averaging five to six inches of ice but the walleye fishing is extremely slow with anglers only getting one or two per person during a few hours of fishing.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-07T19:01:19-05:00

Ice is 4-7 inches across Bouvier Bay and decent action is taking place near the Bouvier Bridge for perch, and blue gill. Saginaw Bay is giving up good numbers of perch, and many times anglers are getting limits. Near Rock Wood good ice has formed near the Erie Metro Park Marina where good angling action is taking place for perch on shiners and tear drops. ... Mouille, and the Banana Dyke, anglers are getting nice numbers of yellow perch and blue gill when using mousies and tear drops. ... The Huron River is giving up some nice sized steelhead in the 8-10 pound range on spawn. ...Off of the Monroe area, angling activity is minimal due to open water, windy conditions and the fact that the Detroit Edison Plant is dumping thousands of gallons of warm water preventing ice from forming. ...Ford and Independence lakes near the Belleville area have good ice and anglers are doing well for crappie, perch, and pike on wax worms, and pike chubs. ...In Port Huron the ice has firmed up and steelhead activity is decent when using Emerald shiners near the water filtration plant.

VHS Interim Rule Delayed Indefinitely

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-05T20:03:39-05:00

Here's the page from today's (01/02/09) Federal Register which contains the notice of delay of eff. date of the VHS interim rule:

Emerald Shiner Article

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-04T19:33:29-05:00

(null)

Happy New Year!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2009-01-01T15:28:22-05:00

(null)

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-30T19:21:07-05:00

Bay City anglers are being very cautious after eight anglers fell through the ice a few days ago. ... A few anglers are fishing near the water discharge or Hot Pond near Jones Road for good counts of walleye. ...Around Bay Port the ice has melted and open water is everywhere. ...High winds blew out the majority of water in Port Huron and Port Sanilac and the warm temperatures melted the ice. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and 1st and Main-Bay Port. ...Around the Gibraltar area, anglers are getting out in boats or fishing off docks for good action on perch. ... Near the Rock Wood area, anglers fishing near the Metro Park Marina are pulling in nice catches of yellow perch and blue gill on shiner minnows. ...Anglers are reeling in a few perch around the Rawsonville Bridge and off of Ford Lake when using shiners, pike minnows, wigglers and mousies.

Merry Christmas!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-23T20:57:11-05:00

(null)

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-23T20:53:41-05:00

Some ice fishing is taking place around the Metro Park Marina and boat launch near Rock Wood. ... The ice is about 4-6 inches all around the Rock Wood area. ...Off of the Monroe area, the ice was frozen, however yesterday with the west winds the water blew out and busted up the ice. ...Independence Lake near Pinckney is very good for crappie and the park is open with the ice averaging 11-inches thick. ...Near Chelsea, Four Mile Lake has 6-8 inches of ice and blue gill fishing is decent. ...All of the ponds around Port Huron are frozen but the thickness certainly needs to be checked before heading out. ...Lexington anglers are fishing off of the boat ramp in 6-7 feet of water for brown trout. ...Information providers: Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and 1st and Main-Bay Port.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-18T21:55:22-05:00

Around Algonac and the Fairhaven area, anglers are catching a few blue gill, crappie, and perch by the Raft Bar and in the boat wells near Bouvier Marina. ... Some big bass have also been caught ice-fishing, but use caution the ice is only 4-inches or so thick. ...Near Sandy’s Marina some anglers that are staying close in to shore are getting limits of blue gill and crappie on spikes, wax worms and mousies. Four Mile Lake near Chelsea has 4-inches of ice and anglers are doing well for pike, blue gill and perch. ...Information providers: Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rockwood; Blue water Bait-Fair Haven; Erie Party Shoppe-Monroe; Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, and South Street Tackle-Belleville. ...Bay Port anglers are pulling in limits of perch while ice fishing on Mudd Creek and around Sebawaing. ...Harbor Beach received up to 4-inches of snow this week putting the cabash on angling activity. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and 1st and Main-Bay Port.

Fishing Reports - James Mackie

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-16T19:35:41-05:00

They are catching a few bluegills and perch by The Raft and in the boat wells of Bouvier Marina. There are also reports of a few small fish being caught on the ice by Brandenburg Memorial Park‎.

Emerald Shiners

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-14T20:37:20-05:00

We are now selling Emerald Shiners. To schedule a wholesale delivery or pickup, please call (810) 794-9942.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-10T20:45:29-05:00

Grindstone Harbor is giving up a few brown trout when anglers take the time to bust up the ice near the shoreline and drop a line using crawlers. ...The Black River has some ice forming and anglers are in a transition mode since the launch ramps will shortly be taken out for the winter. A few anglers are drilling holes from the docks and fishing for perch, and good size blue gill. Harbor Beach anglers remain in a transition period, ice has formed, but anglers need to use extreme caution before venturing out. Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach, and Michigan Sportsman-Bay City. ...Off of the Rock Wood area warm waters are flowing from the Edison Power Plant and providing some perch and blue gill action for shore line anglers fishing near the Lake Erie Metro Park boat launch and marina. ...A few anglers are fishing from docks or shore and pulling in a few perch and blue gill. Information providers: Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rockwood; Blue water Bait-Fair Haven; Erie Party Shoppe-Monroe; Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, and South Street Tackle-Belleville.

Fishing Report - David Mackie

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-04T19:43:12-05:00

A few walleyes are being caught in the North and Middle Channels via jigging. Some perch is being caught in the cuts along the shore but the ice is not yet safe so be careful.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-04T19:36:57-05:00

So far no ice has formed on any southeast inland lakes, the Detroit River or Lake Erie as of yet. ...A few anglers around the Rock Wood area are pulling in some yellow perch around the Lake Erie Metro Park boat launch on small minnows. ... The Huron River is giving up some crappie on minnows, but overall activity is slow. Anglers fishing on the Detroit River from Belanger Park in River Rouge are pulling in some nice perch on shiner minnows and a perch rig. ...Fairhaven anglers are in a transition period and no angling activity is taking place currently and so far no ice has formed. ...Off of the Bay City area some anglers are fishing from shore and breaking the ice by tossing a log tied to a line and fishing for perch. ...Slow activity taking place off of Port Huron for Coho, steelhead and a few brown trout. ... The Black River is producing some decent catches of brown trout, steelhead and some walleye which are in their winter pattern.

Bait Store

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-12-01T20:15:02-05:00

The bait store is closed for the season, but bulk winter bait will be available soon for delivery! Check back soon for prices.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-28T22:08:48-05:00

Port Huron harbors are giving up a few perch and steelhead, but overall activity is fairly minimal due to weather and a majority of the population hunting. The water is very dirty due to high north winds, so anglers fishing for steelhead, Coho and walleye need to fish close to the wall where the fish are hunkering down. ...No activity is taking place around the Bay City area mainly due to ice forming on the Saginaw River. ...Any fishing being done is mostly from shore and spotty at that around Rock Wood, Flat Rock, and Gibraltar. ... Action on the Detroit River is pretty bleak due to the weather one or two boats braved the conditions to venture out. Monroe anglers are experiencing the same situation as cold weather takes hold and is keeping anglers from getting out on the water. ...It’s a slow go for anglers on Ford and Belleville lakes mostly due to adverse weather. Anglers that are braving the weather are pulling in a few crappie, perch and walleye.

Winter Prices

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-19T20:44:52-05:00

Winter Prices Coming Soon! Some of the items that will be available this winter are wax worms, spikes, and mouses.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-19T19:52:41-05:00

Off of the Port Huron area, a few perch and steelhead are still in the harbors. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and Angler’s Rod & Sport-St. ...Gibraltar and Grosse Ile anglers are doing fair to good for crappie, perch and blue gill when fishing off docks or throughout the canals. ...Near Rock Wood, shore fishing for yellow perch is decent around Metro Park Marina and the Metro Park Boat Launch. ...The Huron River is giving up decent to good catches of steelhead throughout the River system including around Flat Rock, Rock Wood, and South Rock Wood. ... Pan fish are also plentiful on the Huron River in the Flat Rock area using bombers and minnows. Near the Monroe area, fishing overall is slow, however anglers are doing ok at night for walleye around Sterling State Park near Detroit Beach, Stony Point, and off of Luna Pier casting stick baits, with bombers the popular choice. ...Belleville Lake anglers braving the cold weather are getting out in boats and getting limits of perch, walleye and blue gill.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-15T08:25:42-05:00

Anglers that are getting out are finding decent action at Fox Island, throughout the Gibraltar canals, near the Livingston Channel and around the cross-dyke. ... Steelhead are all over due to perfect water conditions and the ladder has been repaired and opened as well as the dam. Jigs and wax worms floating under a bobber are working well and Rooster Tails are very hot in no particular color. ...Clair Shores area perch action is hit or miss on the Belle River, but the action is pretty good in the South Channel. ...Bass are biting like crazy and ranging between 4 ½ to 5 ½ pounds, fish are hitting on big minnows, rubber worms, really just about anything. ...Bay City has good perch fishing all over Saginaw Bay, in and around the cuts and the channels of the Saginaw River. ...Off of Linwood perch are biting in the cuts around the marinas, near the Spark Plug, in the shipping channels. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; and Michigan Sportsman-Bay City.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-05T20:23:54-05:00

Good action in the channels around the Lake Erie Metro Park, Horse Island, near the mouth of Lake Erie and the Huron River in 8-10 feet of water and off of the weed lines. ... Monroe anglers are finding good perch action around the Sputnik Buoy, W-Can, buoys 1 and 2, near Luna Pier and around Toledo Beach. ...The Detroit River is producing good catches of walleye on big minnows near the bottom end of the river, off of Celeron Island and near the Trenton Power Plant. ...Musky are doing well around the south shore, and the south, middle and north channels are giving up nice catches of walleye jigging. ...Off of Port Sanilac and Lexington silver fish activity is poor, but fair to good catches of perch and pike can be had out of Lexington. Near the boardwalk and city building good action for walleye on crawlers and the Black River is producing fair counts of steelhead on spinners. ...Near Bay City, perch fishing is good using minnows on the Saginaw Bay in and around most of the Islands. Perch action is good in the cuts off the Quanicassee River and near the Vets Bridge on the Saginaw River.

Photo gallery: Harsens Island

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-11-04T20:00:53-05:00

Photo gallery: Harsens Island Take a look at Harsens Island with Free Press outdoors writer Eric Sharp in the Free Press photo gallery.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-30T07:59:14-04:00

Off of Rockwood near the Lake Erie Metro Park, yellow perch, walleye and blue gill are in good numbers close to shore. Good action for perch at the mouth of Lake Erie and the Huron River in 8-13 feet of water. ...Clair around the north and south channels and anglers fishing the Detroit River are also doing well near the mouth of the Detroit River and fishing further south up to and past the Ambassador Bridge. ...Some nice walleye are biting off of Stony Point and Luna Pier where anglers are wading and casting out in 10-12 feet of water with good results. ...Walleye are biting near the Sturgeon Hole and the North Channel on jigs and big minnows in 60-70 feet of water. ...Off of Linwood, perch action is good in around the channels, marina’s and out near the shipping channel near the Spark Plug. ...The Black River is producing nice size steelhead in the 8-10 pound range and anglers are using spinners with good results. ...Near Bay City, perch activity is decent in 7-11 feet of water at the mouth of the Quanicassee River and throughout the cuts and channels.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-25T19:55:24-04:00

Hot spots include near the mouth of Lake Erie and the Huron River, 10 to 13 feet off Lake Erie Metro Park, and the weed line to Rat Island. ... Shore fishing for yellow perch is good near the Lake Erie Metro Park boat launch and yellow perch and walleye are active near Campeau Road. Huron River is giving up some nice steelhead around the Flat Rock area with little Cleo’s on a Fellow jig. ...Perch action is excellent off of the Monroe area around Stony Point and Bolles Harbor, and around the W-Can, Dumping Grounds, McDonalds Buoy, and Sputnik Buoy, near the Detroit Light, off of Luna Pier and near Toledo Beach. ...In Belleville, the Huron River has plenty of steelhead schooled up near the dam, and great fishing is taking place between Belleville and Flat Rock, and the hot spot is near the paper mill. ...Port Sanilac and Lexington Harbors seem to be sluggish this week for Kings and steelhead, but pike are hitting in Lexington Harbor in good numbers. ...In Bay City, a few perch are biting on the Saginaw Bay, but small in size and plenty of sorting is taking place. ...Information providers: Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Great Lake Outfitters-Port Huron; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and 1st & Main-Bay Port.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-15T19:29:17-04:00

Good action in the Fair Haven area, walleye are spotty but improving and can be pulled in around Sassy Marina. ...Also near the Detroit Light, off the W-Can, 3-way and McDonalds buoys, near the Dumping Grounds, and the perch are starting to move in around the cross-dyke. ...Off of the Monroe area perch are hot on Lake Erie, at Bolles Harbor and even a few anglers are doing well fishing off of the Bolles Harbor pier in the early hours. Perch are biting on Luna Pier Beach in 20-feet of water, near Stony Point, the E-buoy, buoys 1 and 2 and near West Sister Island. ...Port Sanilac Harbor has a few silver fish to be had, and in the Lexington Harbor, perch and silver fish are decent. Bay Port anglers are finding that fish are scattered, a few walleye and some small sized perch can be pulled in around Sand Point. ...In Harbor Beach the fall walleye bite is on and anglers are doing the best during the evening hours with night crawlers. ...Clair; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Great Lake Outfitters-Port Huron, and 1st & Main-Bay Port.

Man fined for moving bait from VHS-positive waters

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-09T21:21:31-04:00

One Meaford-area commercial bait fisherman was fined $1,000 and another received a suspended sentence for moving bait fish that may have been infected with the fish disease viral hemorrhagic septicemia. Bradley Wass, 49, was fined and Kenneth Wass, 21, received a suspended sentence after they both pleaded guilty to violating conditions of their commercial bait licence, the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a news release. ...The court heard that in October 2007 the men caught more than 1,000 litres of spottail shiners in the Bighead River, where viral hemorrhagic septicemia has been detected. ...The disease, which affects a number of species including spottail shiners, may be spread by moving fish, water, vessels or equipment that has had contact with the virus, the MNR said. To slow the spread of this disease in Ontario, the MNR established a management zone containing Ontario's virus-positive waters. Moving live bait fish from this zone to a disease-free zone is banned because it creates a serious risk that the virus will spread, the news release said. Tens of thousands of fish infected with VHS have been found dead in Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. ...About 20 Ontario fish ladders, including local ladders, were closed for a week in March 2007, then reopened, amid howls of protest from anglers and fishing clubs that doing so wouldn't stop the spread of a new threat to fish in the lower Great Lakes.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-08T20:12:15-04:00

Anglers fishing off of Bay City and Quanicassee will find good action on Saginaw Bay in 6-8 feet of water for perch. Angling activity in the Bay Port area is slow, but anglers that are getting out will find some walleye action just past North Island on Saginaw Bay. ...Port Huron anglers are doing well for perch around Metcalf Road and near the buoys in the Lake in 15-feet of water. ...Clair; Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Great Lake Outfitters-Port Huron; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City and 1st & Main-Bay Port. ...Perch are biting like crazy at the mouth of the Huron River and into Lake Erie, off of Rat Island in 13-feet of water, off of Point Mouille and in and around the channels off of the Metro Park Marina. ... Walleye action is great on the bottom end of the Detroit River around Horse Island Flats (front of Erie Metro Park) in 8-10 feet of water while drifting with crawler harnesses. ...Perch are biting on the Detroit River near the Belle Isle Coast Guard Station, further down near the Ambassador Bridge and out in front of Great Lakes Steel Boat Club. Near the Belleville area, Ford Lake is giving up nice catches of blue gill, crappie and walleye as well as lots of small size large mouth bass.

DNR Shooting Ranges Help Hunters Prepare for Fall Hunting Seasons

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-05T16:36:05-04:00

With the advent of the fall hunting seasons, and as the firearm deer season draws near, now is the time for hunters to sight in their bows, rifles and shotguns at one of the Department of Natural Resources' staff-operated shooting ranges. The DNR oversees six shooting ranges in southern Michigan, including the Rose Lake Shooting Range in Bath (Clinton County); Sharonville Shooting Range in Grass Lake (Jackson County); Island Lake Shooting Range in Brighton (Livingston County); Ortonville Shooting Range in Ortonville (Lapeer County); Bald Mountain Shooting Range in Lake Orion (Oakland County) and Pontiac Lake Shooting Range in Waterford (Oakland County). ...Hours at the Bald Mountain, Pontiac Lake and Ortonville ranges are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Lake and Sharonville ranges. Range fees at Bald Mountain, Pontiac Lake and Ortonville are $4 per day for each shooter age 16 and older. ... The Island Lake Shooting Range is operated under contact by Michigan Shooting Centers, LCC. ...Information about the DNR shooting ranges, and other public and private shooting ranges, can be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under Law Enforcement, and then click on Shooting Ranges on the menu on the left side of the page. Shooters are reminded to bring eye and ear protection and approved paper targets with either a bull's-eye pattern or a depiction of legal game. ...All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-10-01T20:29:07-04:00

Saginaw Bay is producing plentiful perch off of Bay City and Quanicassee in 7-11 feet of water and east of the Spark Plug in 16-17 feet of water. ...Straight out from the Monroe area, weather conditions have slowed anglers from getting out and the algae on Lake Erie is pretty thick floating on the water. Perch action remains good around Stony Point, West Sister Island, C-Can, 1 and 2 buoys near the river, Pointe Mouille, the Banana Dyke and around the Sputnik Buoy. ...Fairhaven anglers are doing well on blue gill out of Anchor Bay near Grass Island using minnows. Perch action is picking up around Harsens Island and anglers are using 50% minnows and 50% crawlers with good results. ...Clair the perch are starting to pick up near the mouth of the Detroit River, off of Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and around the shipping channels. ... Walleye action is back on and anglers are jigging near the Dumping Grounds and fish are biting around Belle Isle, the Sand Pile and off of Peche Island in Canadian waters. ...From Wyandotte to Flat Rock anglers can find perch around most any island off of Lake Erie and the Detroit River.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-24T20:54:09-04:00

Off of the Monroe area good action for perch around Stony Pointe, West Sister Island, E-Buoy, near the shipping channels, Pointe Mouille and further south around Toledo Beach in 19-20 feet of water and near the Sputnik Buoy. ...Information providers: Blue Water Bait-Fair Haven; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rockwood; Erie Party Shoppe-Monroe; Lakeside Fishing Shop-St. ...Perch is picking up off of Quanicassee straight out, and just west of the channel, and east of the Spark Plug in 17-feet of water. ...Plenty of walleye activity taking place behind North Island, just a couple miles off of Bay Port. ...In the Port Huron area perch fishing is starting to pick up as cooler waters set in. Off of Port Sanilac Kings are hitting in 30-35 feet of water on J-plugs and silver streak. Walleye activity is spotty due to dirty water on the American side fish are biting more on the Canadian side. ...Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; 1st & Main-Bay Port, and Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach.

David Mackie - Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-23T20:47:20-04:00

The sun is shining and the water is finally clear from all the rain, so it is the perfect time to go fishing. In Lake St. Clair, perch fishing is fair in the deeper water. Also, they are still catching catfish everywhere in the lake. In Lake Erie, they are catching limits of perch from Sterling State park to Bolles Harbor.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-18T20:00:40-04:00

Bay City anglers are just starting to get back out to fish today due to adverse weather conditions and rough water the last few days. ...Bay Port anglers have had there fair share of rain and rough waters causing for slow angling activity. ... Linwood area, walleye activity is slow, salmon action is decent out of Lake Huron and some perch are being caught in 19-21 feet of water, however anglers are having to work hard to find the fish. ...In the Algonac area, anglers are not fishing as of yet, mostly due to the recent weather conditions earlier this week. ...Perch action is starting to pick back up around Metro Park Marina, and Sugar Island, as well as up and down the Detroit River. Near Monroe limited fishing taking place this week due to rain and windy conditions causing for rough and murky waters. A few boats ventured out yesterday but it will take a day or two for the fishing activity to pick back up. In the Belleville area, the recent weather snap has cooled the water temperature causing walleye activity to slow down on Ford Lake.

Michigan angler leads tournament on Lake St. Clair

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-12T09:09:39-04:00

Mark Modrak of China Township took the individual lead and Michigan was tops in the six-state team event after the first day of competition in the Bass Federation's Northern Divisional Championship on Lake St. ...Modrak caught five fish totaling 22 pounds, 4 ounces, while Nicholas Smyers of Franksville, Wis., was second at 21 pounds, 11 ounces. Michigan's 12-man contingent totaled 170 pounds, 3 ounces for a huge lead over Indiana, which was second with 125 pounds, 12 ounces. The tournament runs through Friday from the Selfridge DNR Ramp (Clinton River Access) in Clinton Township. The public is invited to watch the takeoffs (6 a.m.) or weigh-ins (2:30 p.m.). ...Anglers are competing both individually and as state teams in an effort to qualify for the Bass Federation National Championship. ... The top-finishing angler from each team will advance as a boater to the 2009 TBF National Championship. The No. 2 competitor from each state team will advance as a co-angler.

Urban Fishing Photos

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-12T08:54:01-04:00

Click here for an interesting story on Urban Fishing. Store: http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/travel/escapes/12Fish.html? ex=1378958400&en=be8b1df6b71f3e70&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Photos: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/10/travel/escapes/0912-FISH_index.html? partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

VHS Q&A document

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-10T19:00:00-04:00

APHIS has published the VHS Interim Rule in the Federal Register, and updated the documents defining species and areas affected by the Interim Rule. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/aquaculture/ We have also placed a Q&A document on the VHS Interim Rule under "In the News" on the APHIS web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ There is a 60 day comment period on the rule; however the rule will go into effect on November 10, 2008 as currently written. We will take comments into consideration when we finalize the rule at a future date. ...Senior Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Aquaculture Program ...Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-10T20:20:08-04:00

Algonac anglers are finding a few walleye at the end of the Middle Channel, around buoy 19 and near the Cutoff. ... The North Channel is giving up a few sturgeon and if you are fishing more towards the south, Lake Erie is hopping with perch biting on Emerald Shiners. Off of the Fair Haven area, some bass are decent around Grass Island and a few perch are biting off of Harsens Island on minnows. ...Clair Shores area, perch are sporadic, best bet is off the Nine Mile tower and the South Channel around buoys 29 and 30. Anglers jigging on the Detroit River will find plenty of action for bass, sheep head and white perch, along with a few walleye. ...Off of the Monroe area perch are really hot around Stony Point, the two stacks near the Raisin River, out in front of the Fermi Plant, near the dumping grounds, and further out near Ohio waters off of the Sputnik buoy, Turnaround buoy, and near the Camp Perry Range near the E-Can. Walleye activity is spotty but a few are being pulled out around West Sister Island in 26-30 feet of water and near the water intake. ...Walleye action remains great north of Buoys 1 and 2 in deeper water and also in 6-7 feet of water around Callahan Reef.

Southeastern Michigan Fishing Group

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-07T15:21:18-04:00

Subscribe to the Southeastern Michigan Fishing GroupVisit this group

David Mackie - Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-05T23:01:49-04:00

◦ A few walleyes are being caught in the Middle and South Channels. ◦ Bass fishing is still good all over the lake. ...Most are being caught in the deep water in the lake. ◦ Muskie fishing is still good. ◦ They are still catching cat fish in the South and Middle channel. ◦ In Lake Erie the perch fishing is really hot. Most people are catching the perch with Emerald Shiners. The following bait stores in Lake Erie currently are selling Emerald Shiners: State Park Party Store, Erie Park Party Store, and Riverfront Fishing Cleaning

Michigan's First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kent County Deer Breeding Facility

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-05T22:26:17-04:00

LANSING - The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) today confirmed the state's first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a three-year old white-tailed deer from a privately owned cervid (POC) facility in Kent County. ...DNR and MDA staff are currently reviewing records from the Kent County facility and five others to trace deer that have been purchased, sold or moved by the owners in the last five years for deer and the last seven years for elk. ...Michigan's First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kent County Deer Breeding Facility: "Currently, one of our top concerns is to confirm that the disease is not in free-ranging deer," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are asking hunters this fall to assist us by visiting check stations to allow us to take biological samples from the deer they harvest, so we can perform adequate surveillance of the free-ranging white-tailed deer herd in the area." Deer hunters this fall who take deer from Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon townships will be required to bring their deer to a DNR check station. ...The DNR is also asking hunters who are participating in the private land five-day antlerless hunt in September in other parts of Kent County to visit DNR check stations in Kent County so further biological samples can be taken from free-ranging deer for testing. ...The deer that tested positive at the Kent County facility was a doe that had been recently culled by the owner of the facility. ... The samples from the Kent County deer tested "suspect positive" last week at Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, and were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa last Thursday for confirmatory testing.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-04T20:27:00-04:00

Anglers fishing in the downriver area are finding great perch action off of Flat Rock, Trenton, Gibraltar and Grosse Ile. Just off Sugar Island and the mouth of Lake Erie is a great location as well as the Detroit River around Celeron Island in 25-feet of water. ...Crawler harnesses are doing the job on walleye when fishing off of Grass Island while minnows are the choice for perch. ...In the Linwood area the perch fishing is good on Saginaw Bay in 19-21 feet of water. ...Off of Bay City, anglers are pulling in some really nice perch around the Black Hole and Buoys 18 and 19 on minnows in 17-feet of water. Hot-n-Tots are working well for some good catches of walleye just north of Buoys 1 and 2 in deep water. Angling action around Bay Port ranges between fair to good for walleye and perch. ...Fair activity for perch is taking place in deep waters around Port Sanilac in 30-40 feet of water just north of the harbor, off of Lexington state Park, and Buoy #5 off of Port Huron.

Lake Erie Perch Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-03T21:36:51-04:00

The perch are biting in Lake Erie on Emerald Shiners. The following bait stores in Lake Erie currently are selling Emerald Shiners: State Park Party Store Erie Park Party Store Riverfront Fishing Cleaning

No evident disease in deer die-off along Clinton River

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-09-02T19:23:42-04:00

About 20 dead deer found by kayakers and canoeists along a six-mile stretch of the Clinton River centered on Bloomer Park in Rochester were not infected with chronic wasting disease or any other wildlife disease they have been able to identify, Department of Natural Resources officials said Thursday. Tim Payne, a biologist for the DNR wildlife division in Southfield, said the deer apparently started dying about three weeks ago but that no freshly dead deer had been found in the past week. "We sent three of the (carcasses) to our lab in Lansing, but only one of them was really fresh enough for a definitive necropsy," Payne said. ...The deaths preceded by a few days an announcement that chronic wasting disease -- a fatal deer ailment previously unknown in Michigan -- had been found in a deer on a private breeding ranch in Kent County. Injured deer commonly develop fevers and stay near water after they have been hit by a car or a bullet. But Tom Cooley, the DNR's epidemiological veterinarian, said there was no evidence of those kinds of trauma in the deer he necropsied. He said tests completed so far also have ruled out ailments like CWD, eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, several hemorrhagic diseases and poisoning. Cooley said the cause of death for one buck was clear -- a fractured skull...

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-27T21:17:32-04:00

From Wyandotte to Rockwood the perch action is hot on the Detroit River especially east of Celeron Island, both sides of the Cross Dyke, around Sugar Island and the Metro Park Marina. ... Hot spots include in front of Humbug Marsh, south of the Detroit Light, all around Celeron Island, and between Toledo Beach and the Dumping Grounds. Near the Monroe area, perch action is starting to pick up off of Bolles Harbor, Stoney Point, and the E-buoy in 26-28 feet of water. A little further to the south, Lake Erie anglers will find the perch hitting around Turtle Island and Toledo Beach, as well as off of the Sputnik and McDonald buoys. Walleye activity is decent near Turtle Island and off of West Sister Island in 30-feet of water. In the Fair Haven area, not much has changed from last week with walleye and perch still active around Grass Island. Crawlers remain the bait of choice for angling activity on Anchor Bay for nice quantities of small and large mouth bass. ...Around Essexville and the Bay City area, the walleye may not be biting, but the perch are hitting on minnows around the west and east side of the Spark Plug.

The DNR Wants Your Input!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-26T18:01:23-04:00

Upper Peninsula Forest Planning Process: Press Release Calkins Bridge Dam on the Kalamazoo River: Press Release Black Bear Management Plan: Press Release Salmon Bag Limits: Press Release Frequently Asked Questions Fishing Line Increase: Press Release Frequently Asked Questions NLP/SLP Regional State Forest Management Plan: Northern Lower Peninsula Ecoregion WUP Regional State Forest Management Plan: Western Upper Peninsula Ecoregion Source: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153--191030--,00.html

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-25T20:40:42-04:00

Lake Erie - Walleye fishing was good in recent days with fish caught off Bolles Harbor. ... Some nice largemouth bass were caught on jigs near the mouth of the River Raisin. ...Some are back to jigging with a worm or leech while others are still trolling or drifting a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness. ...Grindstone City - Boats trolling for lake trout are heading out to waters 150 feet deep. ...Those trolling for lake trout are doing best northeast of the port in 130 to 150 feet of water. Saginaw Bay - Walleyes are still hitting east and northeast of the Spark Plug in 19 to 23 feet of water and north of Quanicassee in 13 to 15 feet of water. Very good walleye fishing was reported from 30 feet of water east of Eagle Bay Marina, formally known as Great Lakes Marina. ... Perch were hit-and-miss, but some were caught around the Black Hole northeast of Linwood and north of the Quanicassee River.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-21T20:56:02-04:00

Around the Downriver area, the Detroit River is really starting to pick up for catfish from the lower end all the way up to the St. ... Walleye activity is decent from the lower Trenton channel, mouth of the Detroit River and off of the Monroe and Flat Rock areas. ... Perch action on minnows is good on the lower Trenton Channel, around Celeron Island, throughout Gibraltar in most cuts and channels, off of Metro Park, the south side of the cross-dyke and off of Rat Island. ...Walleye activity has slowed a bit, but anglers can still reel in a few from out in front of the Fermi Power Plant in waters averaging 24-feet. Steady action for perch this week, best locations include near the Sputnik buoy, E-buoy, Luna Pier, Stony Point, and off of Toledo Beach in 16-17 feet of water and lined up with the water towers as well as right on the Michigan/Ohio line. ...In the Linwood area, Saginaw Bay is giving up some walleye on a variety of baits and anglers are finding best results in deeper waters. ... Salmon action on Lake Huron is picking up particularly for anglers fishing off the wreck, around Presque Isle, and off of Rogers City. Around Bay City, Callahan Reef is giving up a few walleye and perch action is decent around buoy’s 18 and 19 and near the Black Hole.

Smallmouths hitting it big

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-19T19:32:41-04:00

It's testimony to the amazingly increased water clarity in Lake St. ...The jerkbaits we're using are running about six or seven feet down in 17 feet of water. ...Yet the fish are able to see those lures coming and rocket up 10 feet to intercept them with strikes that feel like the lure has hit a wall. "I think that most of the fish out here have never seen a lure," Dearborn bass guide Gerry Gostenik said as he watched Windsor angler Dave Isley work a four-pound smallmouth to the side of Gostenik's 21-foot Triton bass boat. Reaching over the side to lip the fish and remove the hooks before releasing it, Gostenik said, "You can still catch smallmouths in the shallow water off the mile roads (at St. Clair Shores), but this time of year the big fish are roaming out here in deep water. "I call these bass the Cabbage Patch Kids because that's where you find them. ... You sometimes have to move around some to find them, but when you do you can usually catch 20 or 30 before the bite stops."

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-15T18:18:12-04:00

Lake Erie - Has fair walleye fishing with most boats bringing in two or three fish per trip. Trolling bottom bouncers in 25 feet of water near the Fermi Plant and Stony Point was producing most of the fish. Perch were being caught in 18 feet of water off Stony Point and Bolles Harbor near the E Buoy. ...Detroit River - Catfish action continues to be good and a few perch have been caught. ...Clair River - Anglers are catching some walleye when trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers. ...Experienced anglers are reporting large quantities of forage fish showing up on their fish finders, and this may help account for the bite slowing down. A few perch were caught out near the Spark Plug and on the edge of the Black Hole. Saginaw River - A few walleye are still being caught in the lower river by those trolling the edge of the shipping channel.

SUBMIT A REVIEW

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-13T18:12:57-04:00

If you enjoy the service you receive at Mackie's Bait and have a Google account, please click here to write a review.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-13T21:52:00-04:00

Algonac anglers are catching plenty of bass in the channels and the perch fishing is on fire all over the lake. ...Anchor Bay in the Fair Haven area is giving up some really nice quantities of small, large, and rock bass on spinners and golden shiners. ...Good action for perch In the Downriver area, hot spots include the south side of the cross-dyke, in front of Metro Park Marina, and on the Detroit River between Humbug Marsh and Celeron Island. ...Near the Monroe area, good walleye activity taking place in front of the Fermi Power Plant in 21-22 feet of water. ... A little further south perch are active around Rat Island, the Sputnik buoy, and near the Michigan/Ohio line of the shipping channel; and walleye action is decent as well, but anglers are having to really work for them. ...In the Bay City area, on Saginaw Bay the walleye action has slowed a bit and fish are moving to deeper waters. ... Saginaw River is giving up good catches of catfish and bass however fish are small in size. ...Information providers: Frank’s Bait shop-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City, and 1st & Main-Bay Port.

Submit Your Site

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-12T21:13:48-04:00

To submit a link to the new Links page please email webmaster@mackiesbait.com or complete the online form at Contact Us.

Exotic Pet Food

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-11T21:18:06-04:00

Do you own or sell exotic pets such as lizards, turtles, frogs, snakes, or iguanas? If so, why don't you try feeding them fresh worms from Mackie's Bait? Right now, we have night crawlers, green worms, and baby crawlers in stock. If you own or manage a pet store and would be interested in bulk delivery of these items, please call 586-615-2889 for more information. Remember, night crawlers are also an excellent and natural food source for birds, fish, koi, turtles and reptiles.

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-10T19:10:46-04:00

Lake Erie - Fishing has been slow with most anglers bringing in one or two walleye per trip. They are using bottom bouncers with crawlers in 23 to 25 feet of water near the Fermi Power Plant however anglers were catching more fish in Ohio waters. A few largemouth bass were caught near Bolles Harbor and the yellow perch action picked up with 20 fish per trip when fishing near Stony Point in 20 feet of water. ...Port Sanilac - Perch are still being caught by those drifting perch rigs with minnows or still-fishing with minnows. ...Lake trout, steelhead and salmon have been caught in 80 to 100 feet of water. Grindstone City - The experienced anglers are catching a lot of walleye and some smallmouth in 30 feet of water. ...Lake trout can be found in 80 to 100 feet of water north and northeast of the lighthouse. Pier anglers and those in small boats have caught a few perch inside the harbor.

Sturgeon

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-07T20:28:17-04:00

They are catching Sturgeon in the channels. Most people are catching them at night, but there are reports of a some being caught during the day.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-06T18:44:34-04:00

Fair to good activity is taking place for walleye on the Detroit River around Peche Island and up to Belle Isle. ...In the Downriver area the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River is giving up good catches of walleye on jigs with a worm. ... Near the Flat Rock area, the Huron River is decent for catfish and bass when shore fishing and the mouth of the Detroit River is fair. Off of the Monroe area, the walleye activity is rated fair on Lake Erie near buoys 26 and 29 and using crawler harnesses and spoons. ...Near the Bay Port area, walleye activity has slowed a bit but persistent anglers using crawlers, minnows and Hot-N-Tots will reel in a few especially near the “gap”. Around Harbor Beach the angling activity is very good for perch, particularly in 15-feet of water and when fishing the weed beds with minnows. Fair action is taking place for kings and lakers in waters up to 100-feet and decent action for walleye on crawler harnesses and jigs. ...Clair area, fair activity taking place for perch and walleye on minnows and crawlers while all other species seem to have slowed down.

Great Lakes rising again; levels close to normal

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-08-04T21:15:27-04:00

BY TINA LAM • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • AUGUST 4, 2008 After a parched summer last year that left docks stranded and boat propellers scraping sandy shallows, the Great Lakes are blissfully -- and surprisingly -- full again this year. Heavy snow and rains since last winter have made the lakes rise. Scientists aren't sure whether this will last, but they're hopeful. The temperatures, moisture and ice cover next winter will be critical. "If we get two more good, normal winters with normal precipitation, then we'd have a turnaround," said Cynthia Sellinger, deputy director of the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Lake Superior, which beat its 1926 record low last fall, rebounded to within 4 inches of its long-term average in July. Lakes Erie and Ontario are 2 and 4 inches, respectively, above their July averages.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-31T21:58:17-04:00

Anglers on Anchor Bay in the Fair Haven area are reeling in good numbers of smallmouth bass. ...Out on Lake Erie, the walleye fishing ranges from fair to good in front of the Fermi power plant and along the sputnik. ...Out of the Bay City area, the walleye fishing is very good on Saginaw Bay. ...Around Bay Port, the walleye fishing is very good a few miles west of North Island. ...The lake trout and king salmon fishing is fair straight out from the harbor, in water 80 to 110 feet deep. ... The bass fishing is good in the shallows along the Lake Huron shoreline from Grindstone City to Harbor Beach. On Lake Huron north of Port Sanilac, good numbers of perch are being caught in water 22-25 feet deep. ...Clair; Frank’s Bait shop-Linwood; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Great Lake Outfitters-Port Huron; and Michigan Sportsman-Bay City.

Joke - Division of Wildlife Warning

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-30T21:23:38-04:00

(null)

State officials to meet over June fish kill

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-29T20:50:17-04:00

DNR has investigated release of sediment from ranch near Vanderbilt into the Pigeon River. ...LANSING -- Department of Natural Resources officials will meet this week with the Attorney General's Office over a fish kill on the Pigeon River caused by a massive release of sediment from an impoundment on a private ranch near Vanderbilt. The release occurred the night of June 22, when a gate was opened on a dam at Song of the Morning Ranch, a private yoga center, DNR officials said. Within three days, an array of stream fish that included chubs, white suckers, shiners, 62 brown trout, 25 brook trout and three rainbow trout had been killed by black sediments that flowed down the river. Forty of the brown trout were more than a foot long, said DNR spokeswoman Mary Dettloff. ...DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelly Smith said that since then, DNR investigators have performed a "full river assessment" to gather data about the amount of sediment released and the number of fish that were killed. He said the agency is putting together the numbers now to determine how the incident compares to a 1984 fish kill when the same dam was opened at the same ranch. In that incident, tons of silt swept down the river when the dam's gates were opened for cleaning.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-24T21:16:13-04:00

The Detroit River continues to give up good walleye counts in 8-16 feet of water near the Detroit lighthouse, off of Banana Island and the mouth of the Detroit River. ... Yellow perch are steadily picking up in and around Sugar Island in the weed pockets off the east side of Celeron along the weeds in 6-10 feet of water and the best bait seems to e shiner minnows on perch rigs. Small mouth bass are picking up near the mouth of the Detroit River and anglers are getting good results with Berkley Gulp leeches and Gulp Goby’s, as well as 4 or 5-inch salty tubes. ...Algonac anglers continue to pull in nice catches of perch by the Fire Cracker on the South Channel. ...In the Fair Haven area, the perch action is fair in the south channel and near buoy’s 28 and 30 with plenty of sorting required. Straight out in front of the 400 Club in 14 feet of water perch are doing well with a few walleye and small mouth bass also biting. ...Clair Shores anglers are doing well for walleye near the dumping grounds when using crawler harnesses with a bottom bouncer. ...Walleye are active near the Sputnik buoy, and perch are hitting around Luna Pier and the E-buoy near Bolles Harbor.

Buying products made in Michigan can help state economy

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-23T16:45:37-04:00

If a package of corn bread mix costs $6.50, and you find someone who sells the same thing for $6, you can put a value on that. You just saved yourself 50 cents. But what if that particular product, at a cost of $6.50, is made here in Michigan, and sold by a company headquartered in Michigan? What value do you put on supporting a business that's based right here in our own state? It's not as easy to put a dollar value on that. But people must see some merit in it, based on the growing number of Web sites that promote Michigan companies and products, and the number of businesses that are eager to be featured on them. I spent some time on these "Buy Michigan" sites after our article on the front page of the Business section last Sunday highlighted local firms that promote their products this way. ...http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/business/index.ssf/2008/05/genesee_county_retailers_sell.html

Vietnam Memorial "The Moving Wall" Traveling to St. Clair County

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-21T20:10:49-04:00

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall will be on display July 24th - July 28th at the Riverfront Park in Algonac, MI. ... Meldrum will sing the National Anthem at the 4:00pm opening ceremony July 24th "The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to ...7/24/2008 - 7/28/2008 Algonac, MI at Riverfront Park ...Date: 7/24/2008 - 8/4/2008

DNR Go - Get Outdoors

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-19T21:36:49-04:00

GO-Get Outdoors celebrates outdoor recreation and the role it plays with improving the quality of life in Michigan. Whether biking, hiking, trail running, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting or simply exploring nature, park and recreation facilities provide opportunities for every one of all ages and all backgrounds to enjoy the state's diverse natural resources. Participants can improve their health while supporting recreation opportunities. GO Events Listing: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_36576---,00.html

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-16T21:22:31-04:00

Around the Algonac area, anglers are catching a lot of perch by the Fire Cracker on the South Channel, and plenty of bass near the light house. ...Walleye action remains great on the lower portion and mouth of the Detroit River in 8-14 feet of water, with the weed line a good bet for some decent size fish. ... Congratulations to Vic Vatalaro from Kent Ohio, the second place winner of the FLW Bass Tournament this past weekend, he purchased his bait and license from Bottom Line Bait and Tackle in Flat Rock. Yellow perch in 15-30 feet of water are being reeled in around Red Island (Pointe Mouille) and the action is also good between Celeron and Grosse Ile in 6-9 feet of water and near the weed line, anglers are averaging 15-30 keepers, most in the 15-inch range. Point Mouille and the Huron River is giving up plenty of bass on Kelly worms, night crawlers and top water baits, while catfish are biting on shrimp and green crawlers. In the Monroe area, walleye are hitting on chartreuse and purple baits straight out in front of Bolles Harbor, the Sputnik buoy remains a great hot spot The E-buoy is also a great location for perch as well as Luna Pier and the dumping grounds, two miles off of Bolles Harbor. ...Information providers: Bluewater Bait-Fair Haven; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Flat Rock; Erie Party Shoppe-Monroe; Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, and South Street Tackle-Belleville. ...In the Bay City area, anglers are doing great on walleye, and perch are active between Oakhurst and AuGres in 5-25 feet of water.

Buy Michigan-made and - grown food products

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-15T20:34:02-04:00

Around Town news to Diana Wing at rotown@ameritech.net. I don't often read forwarded bulk e-mails, but I received one from my sister-in-law the other day with the subject line "Helping Michigan" and I was curious. The e-mail contained a list of more than 60 Michigan companies that produce food products, including Ferndale-based Garden Fresh Gourmet (tortilla chips, salsa, hummus). It also included the following statement from the Michigan Department of Agriculture Web site (www.michigan.gov/mda): "If every household started spending just $10 per week of their current grocery budget on locally grown foods, we'd keep more than $37 million each week circulating within Michigan's economy." If you go to the MDA Web site and click on "Select Michigan," you'll find a partial listing of Michigan specialty foods and products, and information about Michigan wineries, farm markets and u-pick produce farms. One way to join this grass-roots movement to help the state's economy is to buy from local food growers and producers, some of whom sell their goods at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. Another way is to seek out Michigan-made products from the grocery store. ...http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-10T21:30:33-04:00

The Detroit River will have plenty of action July 10-13 as hundreds of anglers come to town for the FLW Tournament taking place right out of Elizabeth Park Marina in Trenton. Bass are active in the Trenton channel as well as around the Livingston Channel on Berkley Gulp or worms. Walleye activity hasn’t slowed down, good action continues around the Fermi Power Plant in 18-20 feet of water, out in front of the Edison Towers, near the Sputnik Buoy near the Ohio and Michigan border and around Middle Sister Island, as well as all up and down the Trenton, Wyandotte and Grosse Ile channels of the Detroit River. ... Walleye near the Ohio border tend to be immature measuring 7-10 inches long and should be released with extreme care, try not touching them, the chance for survival is much better. Perch action again this week is good around Banana Island in 14-15 feet of water. Very good angling activity is taking place in the Belleville area, where anglers are hitting on just about everything from walleye and bass to crappie. Night crawlers, leeches and wax worms are doing the trick around Ford Dam, Rawsonville Road and near the big bridge on Belleville Road.

<a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080706/SPORTS10/807060611/1058">Fuel effect: Gas prices hurting Michigan marine industry and anglers</a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-08T21:37:43-04:00

On an average weekend last summer, Mitzie's Dockside Service in Ecorse sold 12,000 gallons of gasoline to boaters and on Monday had to call the fuel supplier to refill the tanks. This boating season, Mitzie Hodgson said she barely sells 4,000 gallons in a full week, and she has put up the For Sale sign at her once-thriving business on the Detroit River. From the icy waters of Lake Superior to the relatively balmy shores of Lake Erie, the marine industry and anglers alike are feeling the painful effects fuel prices over $4 per gallon and watercraft that burn anywhere from 10 to 100 gallons of fuel an hour. And it's clear that anglers in small boats, those under 25 feet, are feeling the pinch more than the owners of bigger craft. "We're probably down 5,000 launches from last year at this time," said George Campbell, who runs the Wyandotte Boat Ramp and Tackle Shop on the river 400 yards downstream from Mitzie's. "On a weekday, we're launching 15, 20 boats where last year it would be 70, 80," he said. "And on weekends we're doing 30, 40 launches where we used to do 120." ...http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

Fishing in Canadian Waters

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-06T20:33:49-04:00

If you are being harassed by Canadian law enforcement officers while fishing in Canadian waters, we strongly recommend that you contact your local Michigan government official and explain to them what is happening. Hopefully, if enough people complain about this issue, our Canadian-born governor can put some pressure on Canada to stop this harassment. You can locate your local government officials at the links listed below. Michigan House of Representatives: http://house.michigan.gov/representatives.asp Michigan Senators: http://senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-04T08:38:19-04:00

Angling activity is booming on a majority of inland lakes and rivers, as well as the Great Lakes for a variety of fish. ...Walleye hotspots this week include the lower end of the Detroit River, out in front of the Fermi Plant in 18-20 feet of water, and near Estral Beach. ... Anglers are doing well with perch in 14 feet of water around Banana Island, as well as near the shipping channels. ... Near the Monroe area, hot spots for walleye include Luna Pier and the River Raisin in 27 feet of water. ...Excellent fishing taking place on both Ford and Belleville lakes with a variety of fish being reeled in that include bass, walleye, crappie, blue gill and channel cats. ... The best locations are near Rawsonville Road and around Sandy’s Marina near Edison Lake Road. Near the Fair Haven area the walleye action is poor in the river, but plenty of perch can be had in the south channel and near the B-buoy. ... Bass action is good using casting tubes and fishing anywhere between the south shore and the 400 Club.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-07-02T20:40:53-04:00

(null)

<a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/VIDEO02/80626077/1058/SPORTS10">Big fish hunting on Lake St. Clair</a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-30T21:31:35-04:00

Big fish hunting on Lake St. Clair Video by ERIC SHARP/DFP Join Freep outdoor writer Eric Sharp for a look at the fishing that has made Lake St. Clair one of the top destinations for the elusive muskellunge. Click here for the video: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20080627/VIDEO02/80626077/1058/SPORTS10

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-30T21:28:52-04:00

Lake Erie is giving up good catches of walleye on purple and gold spoons in 18-20 feet of water. Yellow perch are active in the shipping channels, near the Detroit Light and farther south toward the Bessie Power Plant. Near Lake Erie Metro Park the bass and pan fish are active, and out in front of Pointe Mouille, anglers are using green crawlers for good catches of catfish. Off of the Monroe area, decent fishing taking place around Bolles Harbor and in and around the cuts and channels of Sterling State Park and the Detroit Beach Boat Club. The River Raisin is giving up some nice perch when trolling with spoons, also around Luna Pier is a good location. Ford and Belleville lakes are giving up good catches of crappie, blue gill and walleye. Hot spots include near Edison Lake Road by the Dam and near Rawsonville Road and bridges in town. ...Anchor Bay near Fair Haven is giving up decent catches of bass and blue gill on minnows, worms and crawlers.

Welcome Baby Madison!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-27T05:31:52-04:00

Madison Mackie June 26, 2008 at 6:47 pm 7 pounds, 5 ounces 20 inches long

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-25T21:53:36-04:00

Fish have been found in 25 to 27 feet of water near the Fermi Plant and Stony Point. ...Huron River - Good numbers of catfish have been caught on crawlers, shrimp and even chicken liver. Smallmouth bass are hitting on spinners, crank baits or crawlers. Detroit River - Jigging or handlining is producing fair to good numbers of walleye. ...Clair - Yellow perch have been caught by those willing to put in the time. Locate a school of perch and fish until the bite stops. ...Lexington - Trout and salmon are being caught in 45 to 65 feet of water. Those fishing inside the harbor have caught walleye, pike and a variety of panfish.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-21T11:15:50-04:00

In the Fair Haven area, perch are active in the shipping channels and around number 26 and 28 buoys. ... Small mouth bass are active in 6-8 feet of water on green or brown tubes. Walleye anglers are trolling all parts of the river and using bottom bouncers, activity has slowed however. ...Walleye fishing is great on both sides of Grosse Ile, the mouth of the Detroit River, and the Trenton Channel. ... Walleye action is also good in Lake Erie in 20-feet of water using blue, silver and clown pattern spoons, as well as reef runners. Off of the Flat Rock area the perch action is good on Lake Erie right around the Ohio/Michigan line and near the Sputnik Buoy. Off of Pointe Mouille and Lake Erie Metro Park, anglers will find easy access, and some great conditions for catching catfish, perch and blue gill. ...Near the Monroe area, Lake Erie is giving up good catches of walleye in 20-feet of water in front of the Fermi Plant, and also around Little Sister Island between Ohio and Monroe.

David Mackie - Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-18T07:58:00-04:00

They are catching perch by the South Channel past the Fire Cracker on both the American and Canadian side of the lake. Perch are also are being caught in Anchor Bay.

AAA Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-15T17:55:59-04:00

Around the Fair Haven area, small mouth bass are plentiful on tube jigs and spinner bait however it is still catch and release at this point. The official bass season starts on June 21, 2008. Walleye action has slowed on the river this week. The shipping channels are producing good numbers of perch on minnows around buoys 26 and 28. n the Port Huron area, the mouth of the Black River continues to give up decent catches of silver bass, smallmouth bass and pike. ...Clair anglers have good action this week for walleye in the 14-21 inch range between St. ... Crawler harnesses, Rapalas, and pencil plugs are doing the trick. Click here for the entire fishing report:

<a href="http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/061308/loc_local04.shtml">Petition drive targets Canadian nuke dump</a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-15T17:39:00-04:00

Waste site planned north of Sarnia, stirring fears of water contamination By Chad Selweski Macomb Daily Staff Writer An online petition drive launched to protest a proposed nuclear waste dump on Lake Huron has gathered 2,000 signatures in its first 24 hours. Two groups, Progress Michigan and Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, initiated the petition drive to raise the prospect of water contamination posed by the waste site, which is planned for an Ontario location north of Sarnia. The drive began Monday, in advance of the June 18 close of a "public comment period" offered by the Canadian government.

<a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-34956--,00.html">DNR Recreational Fishing Report</a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-12T21:41:17-04:00

Rivers around the state are experiencing high water levels, especially in areas that received heavy rainfall over the last week. ... We should start to move into the summer fishing mode now that warmer weather is finally here. Lake Erie - Is producing good catches of walleye in the 17 to 21 inch size range. Most anglers are using crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers while others are doing well on spoons and body baits. Most recently, the best fishing has been in 23 to 25 feet of water near Stony Point and straight out from Bolles Harbor around the E-Buoy. ...Detroit River - White bass are still biting, but not with the same intensity. Lexington - The salmon and lake trout are scattered in waters 30 to 100 feet deep. Perch were caught in 50 to 60 feet of water south of the port.

<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604104354.htm">New Ballast Treatment Could Protect Great Lakes Fish </a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-08T17:42:44-04:00

ScienceDaily (Jun. 4, 2008) — A Michigan Technological University professor has developed a new water treatment that could help keep a deadly fish disease out of Lake Superior. David Hand, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan Tech, has devised a simple way to treat ballast water in vessels ranging from pleasure craft to ore boats. His method is designed to kill the virus that causes viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), an often-fatal disease that has been attacking fish populations in the lower Great Lakes. Hand's treatment is simple. The ballast water is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite—ordinary household bleach. Then it is treated with ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, which neutralizes the bleach before the water is released into the lake. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604104354.htm

<a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS05/806060413/">Canada proposes refinery, dump</a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-08T17:30:42-04:00

Environmental groups and U.S. officials are sounding alarms about two major new Canadian projects -- a heavy oil mega refinery along the St. Clair River and an underground radioactive waste repository near Lake Huron -- they say could put Michigan air and water at risk for decades. Michigan residents and businesses won't benefit from the projects and are largely unaware of them. Opponents say U.S. concerns are not represented in Canada, where the prospect of new jobs makes locals welcome the projects. ...The refinery would process up to 250,000 barrels a day of heavy crude oil from rich tar sands in Alberta, making fuel for the Canadian market. The new refinery would be more than twice the size of the Marathon refinery in southwest Detroit, which is seeking state permits to expand by 15% to 115,000 barrels per day. Ontario nuclear officials are making plans to dig 2,150 feet underground to bury low- and medium-level radioactive waste from 20 nuclear plants for hundreds of years. The site is half a mile from Lake Huron, across the lake from Michigan's Thumb.

<a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/SPORTS10/805290378">White bass are scrappy, fun </a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-06-04T17:11:38-04:00

BY ERIC SHARP • FREE PRESS OUTDOORS WRITER • MAY 29, 2008 We're using a three-weight fly rod and an ultralight spinning rod to cast a glass minnow fly and a small white bucktail jig at boils on the surface of the Detroit River, and every cast results in a strike and a hard fight. The target is white bass, and we've located a big school of them off Lake Erie Metropark by watching for baitfish exploding through the surface as they were attacked by the white bass from below. They aren't the biggest fish in the Great Lakes, but matched with the right tackle they are among the scrappiest.

<a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-43225--,00.html">Free Fishing Weekend June 7 & 8, 2008 </a>

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-30T08:36:54-04:00

Michigan's Free Fishing Weekends are two special days when all fishing license fees will be waived for residents and outstate visitors alike on both inland and Great Lakes waters. All fishing regulations will still apply. Free Fishing Weekend events are sponsored by many communities, businesses, and conservation and fishing clubs. Click here, for a list of Michigan Free Fishing Weekend events. National Boating and Fishing Week is June 1-8, 2008. Look on the "Take Me Fishing" website at www.takemefishing.org for additional activities not only in Michigan, but other states as well.

Smelt still scarce

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-27T07:40:02-04:00

This spring brought the usual plaintive e-mails and telephone calls from readers asking if anyone knew where smelt were running. And the answer was the same as it has been for 10 years -- no one has seen any, and if you find some, please let the rest of us know. It turned out that one exception was the northern Lake Huron coastline along the Canadian shore and the adjacent St. Marys River, where dippers enjoyed some excellent smelt runs. That raised hopes that the silvery little fish might be making a comeback and provide spring sport for people and food for Lake Huron salmon whose numbers have been decimated by the disappearance of alewives. Jeffrey Schaeffer, a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center in Ann Arbor, has a different theory and says anglers shouldn't get their hopes up... ...http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

Happy Memorial Day!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-26T08:50:50-04:00

(null)

New Store Hours

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-23T16:22:20-04:00

The bait store is now open from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm.

DNR Recreational Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-21T20:05:15-04:00

This coming Saturday May 24th is the opening day of bass season on the Great Lakes and all the inland waters except Lake St. ... The early catch and release season has been very good so the opener this weekend should also be good especially if the weather warms up and stays that way. ...Walleye were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water in Brest Bay. ... White bass were still hitting this week and large numbers were caught in Brest Bay. ...Huron River - A couple steelhead were caught on minnows near the rocks just down from the dam at Flat Rock. ...Detroit River - Walleye angling has slowed but most boats are still catching a few. ... Many are being taken by shore anglers, but boat anglers are also doing well when fishing about any place where the water is less than 32 feet deep. ...Clair - Walleye fishing is still on the slow side off Metro Beach, but a few more fish were caught in the south end of the lake.

Consider Planting Michigan Native Plants

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-21T19:59:07-04:00

This year consider planting plants native to your area when landscaping or gardening. Native plants are defined as plants that existed in an area prior to European settlement. The use of native plants has numerous benefits due to having evolved over thousands of years and, as such, are adapted to local conditions. ... • They flourish without fertilizers or synthetic pesticides and rarely need watering. • They provide food and habitat for wildlife which continues to disappear due to development ... • They keep our regions unique and help us to maintain plant species • Their root systems rebuild the soil and work as filtering systems. ...http://www.absolutemichigan.com/dig/shopping/consider-planting-michigan-native-plants/

Wildlife numbers plummet globally: WWF

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-18T14:38:10-04:00

The world's wildlife populations have reduced by around a quarter since the 1970s, according to a major report published Friday by the WWF conservation organisation. Marine species have been particularly hard hit as the human population booms, while numbers of birds and, fish and animals have also gone down, said the WWF in a report. The study comes ahead of next week's UN convention on biological diversity in the former West German capital Bonn, which will discuss aims to achieve a "significant reduction" in the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. The WWF, the world's largest independent conservation body, said it was "very unlikely" that the UN would meet its targets, despite the decline appearing to flatten off in recent years. The WWF's Living Planet Index, which tracks the fortunes of nearly 4,000 populations of 1,477 vertebrate species from 1970 to 2005, showed an overall decline of 27 percent. Over-fishing and hunting, along with farming, pollution and urban expansion, were blamed. Click here for the entire article: http://news.theage.com.au/world/wildlife-numbers-plummet-globally-wwf-20080516-2f6o.html

DNR Recreational Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-15T20:21:02-04:00

Lake Erie - Is very muddy and water temperatures have dropped into the 50 degree range. Walleye fishing was best between Stony Point and the Fermi Power Plant. ... Good numbers of white bass are hitting on pretty much anything. ...Anglers fishing down from the walk bridge on the park side of the river were getting white bass and crappie on minnows. Walleye are hitting on Hot-n-Tots or crawlers. Detroit River - Walleye are being caught in the lower Trenton Channel, near Wyandotte, and around Mud Island. Anglers are drifting Erie Dearies or trolling reef runners in 10 feet of water. Lexington - Boats trolling in 15 to 40 feet of water caught trout and salmon on body baits or spoons.

Michigan votes to join Great Lakes pact

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-15T20:14:09-04:00

LANSING -- Without a single dissenting vote, the state Senate and House voted Wednesday to include Michigan in a historic international compact designed to reserve all of the water in the Great Lakes for the eight states and two Canadian provinces surrounding them. That doesn't quite cement Michigan's participation in the Great Lakes agreement, however, because the compact is linked to a series of additional House and Senate bills to regulate water usage within the state. There's still disagreement over House and Senate versions of those proposed rules. "We're taking the first important step forward and we'll continue to negotiate the items of disagreement," said Rep. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, the House point-person on the proposed water rules. "Being able to move the process forward proves that we're serious about this and able to get it done. If nothing else, it signals to the folks who are heavily invested in this that the time to come together and get an agreement is now." ...http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

Great Invasion of the Lakes

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-12T20:15:44-04:00

After 20 years of coping with zebra mussels, no comprehensive strategy is yet in place to deter the ongoing threat to the Great Lakes ...That may be the truest -- and cruelest -- elegy delivered as the Great Lakes mark the 20th anniversary of the discovery of zebra mussels on June 1, 1988, in Lake St. ... It comes from Carol Stepien, a University of Toledo researcher who studies gobies -- another notorious invader -- and who has found at least 18 more goby varieties in Europe that would probably love to call the Great Lakes home. Freshwater species that originated in tributaries around the Black and Caspian Seas seem to adore the Great Lakes, and various Eurasian species had been showing up since the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to foreign ships in 1959. ...Zebra mussels showed how readily a bigger invader could not just survive, but thrive, threatening to wipe out some native species and alter the food web so drastically that even big lake fish no longer had enough food. It was not the first, it may not even be the worst, but it surely is the poster child for a problem that no one has yet had the will to address. ... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

DNR Fishing Report

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-07T20:47:12-04:00

Anglers had mild success for walleye near the Fermi Power Plant and Stony Point when slow trolling with bottom bouncers. ... Those fishing the lake side of the Banana Dike caught walleye in 10 feet of water. ... The catch and release bass action has been good near the shoreline and in the channel off Bolles Harbor. ...Walleye fishing has picked up and the smallmouth bass bite has been good. ...Detroit River - Has good walleye action along the entire river when using jigs with minnows or crank baits in the early morning or late at night. Perch have been caught around Stony Island but watch out for the rocks. ...Clair - Some walleye were caught when jigging or handlining but the action is slow. ...Lexington - Boats trolling in 15 to 25 feet of water have caught coho, lake trout steelhead and brown trout with a few chinook and walleye mixed in.

Bill will protect Great Lakes

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-06T21:44:30-04:00

President George W. Bush has threatened to veto a House-passed bill that would make saltwater ships install systems that kill all living organisms in their tanks before dumping ballast in U.S. waters, including the Great Lakes. There's no question this administration has one of the worst environmental records in history, drawing fire from conservative hunting and fishing groups as well as the usual ecological lefties, and that the bill the president threatens to veto is no more than a step in the right direction. Yet anyone who fishes or goes boating in Michigan should contact both of our senators and tell them that the Senate needs to adopt the House bill quickly and send it to the White House with a veto-proof majority, because if nothing else, it's a start... Click here for the entire article: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20080504/SPORTS10/805040648

The DNR Wants Your Input

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-05-05T19:46:21-04:00

The DNR is seeking input on two fishing issues: Increase in Lines Allowed for Fishing and Salmon Daily Bag Limits. The DNR is committed to providing consistent opportunity for anglers and continuing its efforts to simplify regulations. Neither proposal will have any negative biological impact on the state's fishery resources. They address social issues and perspectives on ways anglers may prefer to enjoy their fishing activities. Use this link to read the press releases, Frequently Asked Questions and submit your comment.

Proposal to Review the Daily Bag Limit for Salmon

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-29T18:01:16-04:00

Click here for the Proposal to Review the Daily Bag Limit for Salmon: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/SalmonDailyBagLimitFAQ_232622_7.pdf

Detroit River run provides legendary walleye fishing

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-28T17:52:31-04:00

Detroit River run provides legendary walleye fishing APRIL 24, 2008 When Nick Homayed was a teenager fishing the Detroit River every chance he got, he figured that stretchy monofilament line was a major reason for missing the hook set when a walleye struck. "So I spooled a reel with dental floss, and it really worked. I thought I was on to something," said Homayed, a Dearborn Heights angler who is one of the most knowledgeable walleye guides in the state... Click Here for the entire article: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20080424/SPORTS10/804240402

Out-of-This-World Fishing (PICS)

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-24T21:17:08-04:00

Click Here for Out-of-This-World Fishing (PICS)

2008 Fishing Guide and Trout and Salmon Guide

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-23T19:34:54-04:00

The new regulations are now in effect starting April 1, 2008. 2008 Fishing Guide   2008 Trout and Salmon Guide

Fresh is better

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-22T21:03:28-04:00

For dinner recently my wife, Susan, and I had perch that were caught in Lake Erie about eight hours earlier. Dredged in spiced bread crumbs and sautéed gently, the fish were incredibly tasty served with a fresh salad and pierogi, the latter a relatively recent addition to our very British-oriented palates. ...I've had the experience of rummaging through the freezer and coming up with a plastic-wrapped mass of something that I had caught or killed so long ago I couldn't even identify it. Experience has taught me that thawing such packages and cooking whatever was inside usually results in a meal that makes the offerings of the greasiest diner look good. ...I've had halibut steaks that after a year in the freezer were as tasty as some "fresh" halibut I've bought that probably had been sitting on ice for several days before reaching the fish market. But freshwater fish don't usually fare as well in the freezer, and those with higher fat contents -- including salmon, trout and whitefish -- often develop an unpleasant taste after three months because the fat starts to oxidize. ... But just because a fish is edible after months in the freezer doesn't mean it's palatable. ...Anglers would do themselves a great favor if they worried less about catching limits of fish and more about keeping just enough to eat in the next week or so.

Frog and Toad Survey

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-21T19:30:51-04:00

Each spring, volunteers statewide take to the field to listen for the calling of frogs and toads. While the chirps and croaks are a true harbinger of spring, the data the volunteers collect help us determine the status of these declining species. Click on the link above, or go to http://www.michigan.gov/frogsurvey. Source: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153--189002--,00.html

No Child Left Inside

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-20T16:10:25-04:00

There was a time . . . when the children playing outside, climbing trees, wading in ponds and creeks and hiding in tall grass fields was a common occurrence. They left their homes in the morning returned for a quick lunch, often eaten outdoors, and then returned to the woods, fields and ponds until evening voices called them to supper. ...They created special names "The crooked tree", "Three pines", and the "Cow field" and all the kids in the neighborhood could direct you to these places not with street names, but by a variety of natural markers. ...The total range for children playing and wandering outdoors is one-ninth of what is was for current adults. Much of this reduction is due to competition from electronic media, structured sports and activities and the concerns of parents letting kids roam free unsupervised. Ask a child to draw a map of their area and most would be able to identify few natural landmarks beyond their backyard. "It is clear that unstructured outdoor and nature play today is becoming less and less relevant to children", says Raymond Rustem with the Department of Natural Resource's Outreach and Education Unit. The Department is encouraging kids, educators, parents, guardians and mentors to help mend the child-nature connection.

Michigan Water Use Legislation

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-14T22:06:03-04:00

If you want steelhead and salmon out in the Great Lakes, it's time to speak up for the rivers and streams where they grow up as juveniles and return to spawn. As you may know, the House and the Senate bills are very different in how they would implement the new set of rules and regulations over groundwater withdrawals in the state. ... That is, the importance of Michigan's water to stay where it is now...in its streams, lakes, and wetlands...for the multi-billion dollars of recreation, tourism and property values that make Michigan the unique state that it is. ...The Senate version of this legislation would allow up to 25% of summer flows to be withdrawn...without any permitting process or any public input...and acknowledges that this would reduce trout populations. ...It is unimaginable to me that our state would enact water legislation that says it's ok to reduce stream flows by 25% in the summer months. ...What we do know is that the Senate version of the legislation would provide no means for any member of the public (individuals, groups, property owners) to contest a proposed large-scale groundwater withdrawal. ...There are just too many unknowns to the consequences of such a far-reaching new set of regulations like this, to be comfortable with being so aggressive right out of the box. ...All you really have to say is that you are in favor of strong protection for Michigan's salmon/troutstreams, that you support the House version of the proposed legislation, and that you are opposed to the Senate version.

Warming could sap Superior

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-11T22:53:53-04:00

Still, the future effects of climate change are tough to predict at a local level, and most scientists said much more study is needed to understand how the region will change and how to plan for it. ...One consensus of the scientists in attendance: Governments need to start planning for changes, such as lower lakes, storms and floods that could overwhelm existing sewer systems. ...Although many climate researchers say they think the Great Lakes region will be wetter and warmer in the future, lake levels still will decline because there will be less ice cover in winter, allowing more water evaporation, he said. ...Colman said his research, and that of colleague Jay Austin, shows that less ice also means that the dark water absorbs more solar radiation, making the water warmer and leading to even less ice, in a perpetual loop. ...The lakes also will see more cyanobacteria, a class of harmful algae that includes toxic forms, said Steve Wilhelm, a microbiologist at the University of Tennessee. ...Recent research shows that the algae grow faster at higher water temperatures, and more algae will survive and outcompete other algae and tiny creatures as temperatures rise. ...The strong storms that climate modelers say Michigan and other Great Lakes states could get with climate change also bring a risk of spreading diseases, said Joan Rose, director of the Center for Water Sciences at MSU. ...Increasing storms, combined with higher temperatures that make it easier for pathogens to survive, could bring more disease outbreaks in the future, Rose said.

Border protection policy is fishing for more work

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-04-01T22:35:19-04:00

Customs and Border Protection will require fishermen to carry passports or other approved identification and check in with immigration upon returning from Canadian waters on the Detroit and St. ..."If we're going to require fishermen to check in every time they run a boat across that invisible border (on the water), we're going to have a problem," said Smith, adding that he hopes to have "clarification" of the requirement next week. ...This mess started a couple of weeks ago when border patrol officials in Cleveland told local charter captains that if they entered Canadian waters on Lake Erie, they would have to file the same kind of paperwork required of large commercial ships transiting the lakes. ...All passengers would have to carry passports or other approved official identification, and everyone aboard would have to check in with immigration upon returning to Ohio (after the skipper calls the border patrol at least an hour before returning to port). It's the kind of goofy rules you'd expect from cubicle denizens who know little about the situation for which they are making the rules, bureaucrats who probably have never seen a fishing boat, never mind gone fishing. Needless to say, it has not made the Ohio charter captains happy, or people on other parts of the Great Lakes who routinely pass through Canadian waters and have heard about the plan. Meanwhile, Smith has been meeting Detroit-area boating groups and telling them that if they don't tie up to the Canadian shore, or land in Canada, they don't have to check in upon returning to the United States. He said that technically, the boaters should check in if they anchored in Canadian waters, but even that regulation hasn't been enforced because it doesn't make a lot of sense if the boaters anchor in the middle of a lake or river.

Fishfarmer Magazine: Genetics research sheds light on Great Lakes' fishvirus

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-28T20:59:58-05:00

A DEVASTATING virus that has killed thousands of fish in the Great Lakes over the past few years is different from other strains of the same virus found in Europe and the West Coast of the United States, according to new genetic research by the US Geological Survey. The Great Lakes' strain of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is the only strain outside of Europe that has been associated with significant die-offs of freshwater fish species. VHSV is a rhabdovirus that is the causative agent of one of the most dangerous viral diseases of fish, says Dr Jim Winton, a fisheries scientist at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Centre (WFRC) in Seattle. ...Winton and co-authors Gael Kurath and William Batts recently authored a new USGS fact sheet that describes important genetic information about isolates of VHSV from the Great Lakes region. ...Genetic research at the WFRC and by colleagues from Canada showed that this strain of the virus was probably introduced into the Great Lakes in the last five to 10 years, and that the fish die-offs occurring among different species and in different lakes should be considered as one large ongoing epidemic. The USGS genetic research also indicated that the Great Lakes' strain of the virus was not from Europe, where three other strains of the virus occur, but more likely had its origin among marine or estuarine fish of the Atlantic seaboard of North America. ...The Great Lakes' strain has now been isolated from more than 25 species of fish in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Saint Lawrence River and from inland lakes in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. ...Regulatory agencies in the United States and Canada have already placed restrictions on the movement of fish or fish products that could pose a risk for the spread of VHS virus to regions outside of the known geographic range.

OUTPOST: Ski and fishing reports, along with outdoors evnets around the state

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-27T19:50:06-05:00

Boating course: A 10-week boating safety course, sponsored by the Wyandotte Power Squadron, will start Feb. 18 at the Copeland Center, 2306 4th St. ...Winter triathlon: The Muskegon Sports Council presents its Winter Triathlon on Feb. 3 at the Winter Sports Complex in Muskegon State Park. The event, consisting of cross-country skiing, luge and speedskating, is geared toward novices. Instruction and practice run from 10 a.m. to noon. ... The fee is $20 for entrants 13 and older, $15 for 12 and under, or $40 for a family. Age divisions start at 9-under and go to 60-older. ...The Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises that ice is building in the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula but most of the lakes are still not safe. ... Those traveling on the ice should fish with a partner, take an ice spud to test the ice, wear a personal flotation device, take a cell phone and be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

Anglers hook 100-year-old monster fish weighing over 35 stone

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-27T19:40:34-05:00

Two British anglers waded waist deep into a river to land a 100-year-old monster fish weighing over 35 stone - after battling with it for over an hour. Nick Calleya, 36, from Cubert in Cornwall and George Carstairs from Scotland landed the 500lb white Sturgeon while angling from a boat in the Fraser River in British Columbia in Canada. The 10ft-long giant was snared using a rod and line with salmon eggs as bait. ..."George is quite a small guy so I had to grab him and hold him down because the fish was lifting him off his seat." The pair grappled with the massive fish for over an hour, taking turns to hold the rod when their tired arms threatened to let their prey escape. All the time, their fishing guide was at the controls of their jet boat trying to keep pace with the fish... Click here for the entire article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html? in_article_id=509098&in_page_id=1&in_page_id=1&expand=true#StartComments

Intensify efforts to halt invaders

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-09T20:39:28-05:00

E-mails arrive daily warning of new efforts to open huge acreages of Western wilderness to gas and oil drilling, clear cut forests on mountains vulnerable to erosion, destroy major fish stocks in the ocean or pollute the skies and waters with mercury and greenhouse gasses. Continuing threats to the places where we hunt, fish and camp illustrate that while things are better than 30 or 40 years ago, all we've really done is slow down the rate at which we are destroying our environment. ...But one thing we can do is to concentrate our efforts on ending the continued introduction of exotic species into the Great Lakes by ships coming in from the oceans. ...States are passing stricter ballast control measures than the Environmental Protection Agency, which has sold out to the businesses that want saltwater ships to continue to come into the Great Lakes with little or no controls. ...And we know from the work of David Lodge at Notre Dame that not only is the threat from ballast water inside the ships greater than we thought, the growths on the outsides of ships may be an even more significant source of invaders. ...It's that kind of solid economic and scientific data that allows the private groups that are the real protectors of our environment -- the National Wildlife Federations, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, American Lung Association and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership -- to do two things that are important. ...The other is to make the public aware of failures of government, because politicians won't bite the hand that fills their campaign coffers unless they are afraid of losing races. ...So while it won't hurt to make the usual New Year's resolutions about losing weight and stopping smoking, why don't we all add this one: 2008 will be the year in which we see the Great Lakes provided with meaningful and effective protection at all levels of government.

Happy New Year!

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-07T21:19:36-05:00

(null)

A nation's growing thirst threatens a Great Lakes water war

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2008-01-07T21:21:11-05:00

A regional effort to enact legislation giving the eight Great Lakes states more control over water diversion is languishing in several states, with only two -- Minnesota and Illinois -- giving full approval so far. ...• Experts say the 2010 U.S. census recalculation could shift political power out of some of the Midwest states such as Michigan to water-hungry states in the South and West, making it harder for the Great Lakes to keep its water here. ..."I don't think we ought to be sending our water to anybody," said Paul Sapp, a 72-year-old Mecosta resident who said he's seen local water levels drop due to withdrawals from the Muskegon River for a bottled water plant. ...Experts think it's possible both lakes could beat their all-time record lows, set in March 1964, when the January monthly average level is figured at month's end. ...It now sits 11 inches below the long-term average, but is 6 inches above the level of one year ago, according to the International Lake Superior Board of Control. ..."It shows, first of all, that before we start talking about diverting water from the Great Lakes, there is a great deal we could be doing in terms of conservation and common sense." ..."But when you get a piece of legislation like this moving in this town, there are a lot of people who are looking to take it and run with it." ...In 2005, governors from each of the states in the region -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- drew up the Great Lakes Basin Water Resource Compact to prevent that scenario.

WE HAVE SPIKES & WAX WORMS

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2007-12-30T20:34:52-05:00

We are now handling the following Winter Bait: ...Pre pack 2dz: $ 0.90 ...Bulk of 2,000 or more: $21.00 ...Pre pack 2dz: $ 0.75 ...Bulk over 10,000: $ 7.00 Coming this spring we will be handling the following: ...*Note that Bulk items are not pre packed. *ALL PRCIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Winter is a great time for kids to learn how to spot tracks

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2007-12-20T20:28:51-05:00

INSIDE THE OUTDOORS: Winter is a great time for kids to learn how to spot tracks ...Walking through a museum store the other day, I saw a book about animal tracks that was written for kids. It reminded me that winter is a great time to take your kids or grandkids out with a book like that and see what kind of tracks you can find in your neighborhood or a local park. Friends who have done this have been surprised when they were able to identify the tracks of skunks, weasels, foxes, pheasants, raccoons, porcupines and other wild critters that they never dreamed lived right in town. ...A few years ago, a friend who took his two daughters out to search for tracks called with great excitement. They had come across the tracks of a large cat on a local golf course. They were way too big to be a domestic cat and too small to be a cougar, so they were thrilled to realize that a bobcat was living within a few hundred feed of their home. ...Ideally, you want to get out after a minor fall has left a nice dusting on the trails where you can walk as easily as the animals.

OUTDOORS: Treat yourself to great gear

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2007-12-23T08:25:57-05:00

OUTDOORS: Treat yourself to great gear ...OK, the season of forced good cheer is almost behind us. And if you're an outdoors type, you may have collected some useless gifts that you can take back to a store and trade in for something you really could use. Even better, someone might have had sense enough to give you a gift certificate or cash, which may be a bit crass but spends better than good will, at least in the stores I patronize. So here are a few items to consider that have added enormous enjoyment to my outdoors activities. ...• Bert's Custom Tackle trolling gear: This was the pet project of my late and greatly missed pal, Bert Cummings, who sold his ideas and line of rod-mounting tracks, rod holders and other trolling gear to Tecla Co. in Waterford shortly before his untimely death in 2005. Click here for entire article: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20071227/SPORTS10/712270354/1058

Here is a Canadian Fish Story for you...

webmaster@mackiesbait.com — 2007-12-27T23:10:50-05:00

Awesome Catch On A Lake In Canada : 56" - 55lbs. This is a new record Northern Pike in Canada. He caught it on Rainy Lake . Check this thing out. The man (in the photos below), was fishing and caught a 36" Pike, as he was reeling it in, a 56" Pike tried to eat it !!!!! He landed them both in the same net. The last picture is unbelievable.