Southwest Michigan waters were well represented in the DNR’s Master Angler program for last season.
Some 35 fish from Berrien County and seven from Cass County qualified for the state honor.
Anglers receive a patch for catching a fish that meets state minimum requirements that they submit through a procedure outlined in the annual Fishing Guide.
The 2017 season attracted a lot of entries, as 2,176 anglers representing 24 states and Canada submitted catches recognized in the state’s Master Angler program — a significant increase over 1,807 Master Angler fish in 2016.
The program, in place since 1973, has more than doubled since 2014.
Of the entries accepted by the Michigan DNR, 1,250 were in the catch-and-keep category and 926 were in the catch-and-release category. A total of 266 anglers received certificates for fish placing in the top five for both categories.
In Cass County, six catch-and-keep awards were issued with two warmouth coming from Eagle Lake, two bluegills from Magician Lake, a largemouth bass from Little Fish Lake, a green sunfish from Robbins Lake and a bowfin (dog fish) from Fish Lake.
Timothy Block (South Bend) and Mark Losee (Elkhart) earned awards for warmouth they caught measuring 9.88 and 9.38 inches respectively taken from Eagle Lake.
Other awards issued for Cass County catches include Sadie Jo Immel (Cassopolis), a 22-inch largemouth from Little Fish Lake; Arthur and Cody Fisher (St. Joseph) each caught 10-inch bluegill from Magician, Alexander Bozymowski (Jones, Mich.) had a 9.25-inch green sunfish from Robbins Lake and Ethan O’Donnell (Lawton, Mich.) had a 29-inch bowfin from Fish Lake.
Of the numerous Master Angler awards issued in Berrien County, 10 were for trout and salmon. Some of those taken by area anglers include a 32-inch Coho by Matthew Eifler (Niles), a 35-inch lake trout by William Geisler (New Buffalo), a 34.50-inch rainbow trout by Brian Hoese (Niles), a 34-inch rainbow by Julie Kimmerly (Niles) and a 33.38-inch rainbow by William James (New Buffalo).
Other top Berrien County gamefish caught by Michiana anglers include a 21-inch smallmouth bass from Lake Michigan by David Borton (Dowagiac), a 10-inch bluegill caught from Madron Lake by Michael Everett (Buchanan), and a 30-inch walleye from the St. Joseph by Jesse Cawley (Bridgman).
In the catfish category, those fish recognized were a 45-inch flathead catfish caught from the St. Joseph River by Leighton Sulak (Niles), a 31-inch channel catfish from the St. Joseph by William Deering (Niles), a 29-inch channel catfish from the St. Joseph by David Borton (Dowagiac), a 41-inch flat head caught from the St. Joseph by David Borton (Dowagiac), a 30-inch flat head caught by William Deering (Niles) and a 29.63-inch channel catfish caught by Daniel Phillips (Niles).
Carp also were recognized. Top catches made by area anglers include a 30-incher caught from the Galien River by Matthew Foster (Bridgman), a 32-incher caught from the St. Joseph by William Deering (Niles), a 31.50-incher caught from the St. Joseph by Tessa Deering (Niles) and a 31-incher caught from the St. Joseph by Isabelle Deering (Niles).
Two longnose suckers were recognized, both caught by Matthew Foster (Bridgman). They measured 22 and 20.50 inches.
Tackle open house
Clear H2o Tackle near Edwardsburg will conduct its Spring Fishing Open House next weekend.
The program runs Friday from 7-7, Saturday 6-6 and Sunday, 6-4.
In addition to how-to fishing discussions, the store will be displaying new tackle, special bargains, free snacks, refreshments, and drawings for door prizes.
For information, call 269-414-4131.
More teal opportunities?
The Michigan DNR has proposed an expanded teal season during this fall’s waterfowl season. The proposal will be considered by the Natural Resources Commission this month.
The DNR wants the teal season to run Sept. 1 through Sept. 16, an addition of six days. A DNR report says season dates and limits for ducks probably will be similar to last year although one additional pintail may be added to the bag limit.
We’ll keep you posted.
For information, call 269-414-4131.
Licenses expire
Don’t forget to get your new fishing license for 2018. Both Michigan and Indiana 2017 licenses expire at the end of this month.
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