Hard Water Fishing
By Jack Payne
For me, the best time to learn a new lake is when there is ice. Many times I will venture onto the ice with a Thermos of coffee and my camera. You can watch anglers catching fish and shoot the breeze with them.
Most often I will ask questions along the lines of: How deep is the water? How far down are you fishing? What is your favorite set-up, and do you fish here in the summer? Just making small talk will help you gather valuable information.
I also like asking questions like, do you fish other lakes? What size fish do you normally catch? What species are in the lake? I also use my Navionics app on my phone. You can mark potential hotspots on my phone and then pull them up on my computer.
During the winter I enjoy studying topographic maps. I can pinpoint the spots from my walks on the ice to my fishing graph. Then I can search the maps and see if there is a drop-off close by, a hump, a large flat or any other types of structure.
Safety is my first concern and it should be yours as well. Safety picks on a tether that slide over your wrist should be an all-season item. If you fall in, the picks will help you stay afloat or assist you in crawling out.
Ice cleats are another fine item for the entire season. Cleats greatly reduce the slip and fall that can do more than harm your behind or your feelings. Countless anglers end up in the emergency room with a broken wrist, arm or worse.
A spud is super handy at first ice. Add a tether wrist strap to it or you will lose a spud at some point. I did! Spuds can be a bit heavy and awkward, but they provide safety as you walk. First ice can be very unpredictable. As you walk, keep testing the ice.
We are finding crappie and bluegills in depths between six feet out to 12 feet. If your lake or bayou has any brush or fallen trees close to the shoreline, fish it. Panfish love relating to an object. One location that we fish has a shoreline full of bushes and brush. The panfish love this area.
The key to fishing this type of area is cutting many holes. The fish are very spooky and bug out quickly. Cut a series of holes and then go back to the first hole. Stay as quiet as possible. Catch a few fish and move to the next hole.
Another good spot is standing trees. Sessions Lake in Ionia County has a section of trees. I love fishing trees any time of the year. Wood retains heat and weak ice can develop around the wood.
Fallen trees and sunken objects in shallow water are very good. These items are hard to find unless you located them during the open water season. One lake in Barry County that we fish has an island. On one side of the island there are many stumps and fallen trees mixed in with logs. This is a great location but the depth is shallow. Much of the depth is four to five feet.
Another shallow water hotspot includes canals and manmade channels. Part of the allure is the mud bottom. Tons of insects and aquatic plankton are found in the shallow muddy areas. Once again, if there are docks, brush or any other objects, the better the spot.
The closer these spots are to a good flat with vegetation, the better they will be. A flat with green vegetation holds fish all season. I like flats, and the area the closest to a sharp drop-off into deep water, the better that location will be. Fish like a quick escape into thick vegetation or a drop-off if they become spooked.
Panfish show a willingness to rise up for a meal much quicker than dropping down. Crappies at times will be within two feet of the surface. Once again, the reason for stealth approaches. Many times bluegills will rise up two feet or more to investigate a tasty morsel.
Get on the hard water and have a good time this winter. Before you go, stop in at Grand Valley Sport Shop.
Most often I will ask questions along the lines of: How deep is the water? How far down are you fishing? What is your favorite set-up, and do you fish here in the summer? Just making small talk will help you gather valuable information.
I also like asking questions like, do you fish other lakes? What size fish do you normally catch? What species are in the lake? I also use my Navionics app on my phone. You can mark potential hotspots on my phone and then pull them up on my computer.
During the winter I enjoy studying topographic maps. I can pinpoint the spots from my walks on the ice to my fishing graph. Then I can search the maps and see if there is a drop-off close by, a hump, a large flat or any other types of structure.
Safety is my first concern and it should be yours as well. Safety picks on a tether that slide over your wrist should be an all-season item. If you fall in, the picks will help you stay afloat or assist you in crawling out.
Ice cleats are another fine item for the entire season. Cleats greatly reduce the slip and fall that can do more than harm your behind or your feelings. Countless anglers end up in the emergency room with a broken wrist, arm or worse.
A spud is super handy at first ice. Add a tether wrist strap to it or you will lose a spud at some point. I did! Spuds can be a bit heavy and awkward, but they provide safety as you walk. First ice can be very unpredictable. As you walk, keep testing the ice.
We are finding crappie and bluegills in depths between six feet out to 12 feet. If your lake or bayou has any brush or fallen trees close to the shoreline, fish it. Panfish love relating to an object. One location that we fish has a shoreline full of bushes and brush. The panfish love this area.
The key to fishing this type of area is cutting many holes. The fish are very spooky and bug out quickly. Cut a series of holes and then go back to the first hole. Stay as quiet as possible. Catch a few fish and move to the next hole.
Another good spot is standing trees. Sessions Lake in Ionia County has a section of trees. I love fishing trees any time of the year. Wood retains heat and weak ice can develop around the wood.
Fallen trees and sunken objects in shallow water are very good. These items are hard to find unless you located them during the open water season. One lake in Barry County that we fish has an island. On one side of the island there are many stumps and fallen trees mixed in with logs. This is a great location but the depth is shallow. Much of the depth is four to five feet.
Another shallow water hotspot includes canals and manmade channels. Part of the allure is the mud bottom. Tons of insects and aquatic plankton are found in the shallow muddy areas. Once again, if there are docks, brush or any other objects, the better the spot.
The closer these spots are to a good flat with vegetation, the better they will be. A flat with green vegetation holds fish all season. I like flats, and the area the closest to a sharp drop-off into deep water, the better that location will be. Fish like a quick escape into thick vegetation or a drop-off if they become spooked.
Panfish show a willingness to rise up for a meal much quicker than dropping down. Crappies at times will be within two feet of the surface. Once again, the reason for stealth approaches. Many times bluegills will rise up two feet or more to investigate a tasty morsel.
Get on the hard water and have a good time this winter. Before you go, stop in at Grand Valley Sport Shop.
Jack Payne’s friend Rick checking his hole and watching his graph.
DNR: 180 Elk Harvested In Season
More than 250 licenses were issued across both periods of the 2024 Michigan elk hunting season, and hunters harvested 180 elk in all. Pictured here is one of the successful elk hunters, Alex Mshar of Lewiston.
With the wrap of Michigan’s 2024 elk season, hunters saw challenging conditions during Hunt Period 1 and improved outcomes in Hunt Period 2. More than 250 licenses were issued across both periods, and hunters harvested 180 elk in all, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Hunt Period 1 began in late August and spanned 12 days throughout September. High temperatures during the fall hunt reduced elk movement during the day, making it difficult to locate elk during hunting hours. Additionally, the heat deterred some hunters from participating out of concern about meat spoilage and heat-related conditions.
Michigan’s early season is designed to remove elk living outside of the designated elk management area, which is primarily the Pigeon River Country State Forest. There are 100 licenses issued for Hunt Period 1: 30 any-elk licenses and 70 antlerless-only licenses.
Despite the challenging weather, Hunt Period 1 proved to be successful for 59% of hunters, who harvested 24 bull elk and 35 antlerless elk, including two calves. This harvest rate is the lowest documented, falling below the average of about 74 percent since 2007.
This particularly low success rate in Hunt Period 1 can likely be attributed to heat-related factors. High temperatures are not unusual for this time period, but daily highs in 2024 were consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter conditions brought fresh snow and cooler temperatures, leading to better results during the December hunt.
There were 160 elk licenses issued for Hunt Period 2: 110 antlerless licenses and 50 any-elk licenses. Over the nine-day December season, hunters harvested 46 bulls and 75 antlerless elk, including eight calves. The hunter success rate of Hunt Period 2 was 75 percent, which is in line with the five-year average success rate of about 79 percent.
“Snowfall during the December hunt provided much-needed assistance to hunters, allowing for improved tracking conditions and a successful conclusion to the season,” DNR wildlife biologist Angela Kujawa said. “Overall, the 2024 elk season showcased the dedication of our hunters and their important contribution to maintaining a healthy and sustainable elk population in Michigan.”
During Hunt Period 2, there was snowfall for the first couple days of the hunt, which made locating and tracking elk easier and led to higher hunter success.
The late season is used to manage overall elk population numbers across the entire elk management unit.
In 2024, hunters in hunt periods 1 and 2 harvested 180 elk, including one Pure Michigan Hunt winner.
Learn about elk management, regulations, hunting and viewing locations and more resources at Michigan.gov/Elk.
Hunt Period 1 began in late August and spanned 12 days throughout September. High temperatures during the fall hunt reduced elk movement during the day, making it difficult to locate elk during hunting hours. Additionally, the heat deterred some hunters from participating out of concern about meat spoilage and heat-related conditions.
Michigan’s early season is designed to remove elk living outside of the designated elk management area, which is primarily the Pigeon River Country State Forest. There are 100 licenses issued for Hunt Period 1: 30 any-elk licenses and 70 antlerless-only licenses.
Despite the challenging weather, Hunt Period 1 proved to be successful for 59% of hunters, who harvested 24 bull elk and 35 antlerless elk, including two calves. This harvest rate is the lowest documented, falling below the average of about 74 percent since 2007.
This particularly low success rate in Hunt Period 1 can likely be attributed to heat-related factors. High temperatures are not unusual for this time period, but daily highs in 2024 were consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter conditions brought fresh snow and cooler temperatures, leading to better results during the December hunt.
There were 160 elk licenses issued for Hunt Period 2: 110 antlerless licenses and 50 any-elk licenses. Over the nine-day December season, hunters harvested 46 bulls and 75 antlerless elk, including eight calves. The hunter success rate of Hunt Period 2 was 75 percent, which is in line with the five-year average success rate of about 79 percent.
“Snowfall during the December hunt provided much-needed assistance to hunters, allowing for improved tracking conditions and a successful conclusion to the season,” DNR wildlife biologist Angela Kujawa said. “Overall, the 2024 elk season showcased the dedication of our hunters and their important contribution to maintaining a healthy and sustainable elk population in Michigan.”
During Hunt Period 2, there was snowfall for the first couple days of the hunt, which made locating and tracking elk easier and led to higher hunter success.
The late season is used to manage overall elk population numbers across the entire elk management unit.
In 2024, hunters in hunt periods 1 and 2 harvested 180 elk, including one Pure Michigan Hunt winner.
Learn about elk management, regulations, hunting and viewing locations and more resources at Michigan.gov/Elk.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
I’ll probably lose some readers today because of this next sentence. I’m a big University of Kentucky sports fan.
I hope you’ll keep reading because I believe we can get past that fact quickly. As some of you know, the Wildcats hired a new basketball coach this past year by the name of Mark Pope. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a former medical student at Columbia University, former basketball coach at Brigham Young University, and just an overall unique and good guy.
He uses phrases and ideas in his basketball style that one doesn’t hear very often. The one I heard the other day was the word “autopsy.”
When he was asked to explain why he uses that word and how he incorporates it into his coaching, he said that after each game, they want to be reminded that that game is over. It is dead. It doesn’t matter if there was a win or a loss, that game is dead – never to be resurrected again. The autopsy is then done. They examine the good and the bad, in that order. Then they bury the remains and move on.
I’m thinking of so many uses for that in both my outdoor life and in my daily living.
In my hunting and fishing days, each past season – even each past day - is over. It is dead. Whether it was successful or not, it should carry no lingering effect on what the next day or season holds. While yesterday I caught no fish, today I might get my limit. It’s actually what keeps us going back.
In more important things in life, it means yesterday’s failures or successes do not determine tomorrow’s outcome. And more importantly, they don’t define who we are. Failures and successes are not people. They are moments in time.
That doesn’t mean that some of those days will not change our life permanently. They will and they should. But what brings about the change is not the events, but the autopsy. It’s the change we made after we examined yesterday’s body. This idea is good, but it is also godly. That is, it is how God wants us to live as well.
The Apostle Paul put it this way as he thought of his own past and his desire to grow. He said, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. (perfect godliness) But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NKJV) And this is to be our goal as well. It is to remember that each day does not stand alone. It is a piece in the puzzle that God is putting together in our lives to make us into the person He wants us to be. And the pieces we want to throw out are as important in making us complete as the ones we want to keep.
So, wake up each day and do the autopsy on yesterday. And then remind yourself that not only is today a new day, but it is also filled with new mercies – new blessings - from God.
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books, which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
I hope you’ll keep reading because I believe we can get past that fact quickly. As some of you know, the Wildcats hired a new basketball coach this past year by the name of Mark Pope. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a former medical student at Columbia University, former basketball coach at Brigham Young University, and just an overall unique and good guy.
He uses phrases and ideas in his basketball style that one doesn’t hear very often. The one I heard the other day was the word “autopsy.”
When he was asked to explain why he uses that word and how he incorporates it into his coaching, he said that after each game, they want to be reminded that that game is over. It is dead. It doesn’t matter if there was a win or a loss, that game is dead – never to be resurrected again. The autopsy is then done. They examine the good and the bad, in that order. Then they bury the remains and move on.
I’m thinking of so many uses for that in both my outdoor life and in my daily living.
In my hunting and fishing days, each past season – even each past day - is over. It is dead. Whether it was successful or not, it should carry no lingering effect on what the next day or season holds. While yesterday I caught no fish, today I might get my limit. It’s actually what keeps us going back.
In more important things in life, it means yesterday’s failures or successes do not determine tomorrow’s outcome. And more importantly, they don’t define who we are. Failures and successes are not people. They are moments in time.
That doesn’t mean that some of those days will not change our life permanently. They will and they should. But what brings about the change is not the events, but the autopsy. It’s the change we made after we examined yesterday’s body. This idea is good, but it is also godly. That is, it is how God wants us to live as well.
The Apostle Paul put it this way as he thought of his own past and his desire to grow. He said, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. (perfect godliness) But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NKJV) And this is to be our goal as well. It is to remember that each day does not stand alone. It is a piece in the puzzle that God is putting together in our lives to make us into the person He wants us to be. And the pieces we want to throw out are as important in making us complete as the ones we want to keep.
So, wake up each day and do the autopsy on yesterday. And then remind yourself that not only is today a new day, but it is also filled with new mercies – new blessings - from God.
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books, which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
Kid- and Pet-Friendly Indoor Gardening
Creating an indoor oasis of greenery can help lift your spirits, reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing.
Challenges arise when growing indoor plants with kids and pets in the house. Keep them safe by selecting pet- and kid-safe plants and pest management strategies.
Increase your indoor gardening success by selecting plants suited to your home’s growing conditions and gardening style. If you tend to overwater your plants, grow moisture-loving plants or opt for more drought-tolerant plants if you practice benign neglect. Once you have your list, double-check their people and pet toxicity. Consult with your veterinarian and visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website for a list of pet-safe and toxic plants. Consult with your pediatrician, local botanical garden, and children’s hospital for a list of kid-friendly indoor plants.
Keep an ongoing list of all the plants you are growing. Include both common and botanical names for accurate identification. Research the care they need and their toxicity to your pets and youngsters in the home. If you suspect your pet or child has ingested a toxic plant, you’ll have the proper plant name when contacting your veterinarian or poison control center.
Display any toxic plants out of the reach of curious kids and pets. This can be challenging if your cat or child is skilled at jumping and climbing. With so many beautiful houseplants, play it safe and avoid those that are toxic or too tempting.
Secure plants against accidental tipping by inquisitive pets and kids with mounting putty. A couple of pieces on the bottom of the pot will help reduce the risk of spilled plants and soil. Invest in pots with wider bases for floor plants or secure several pots together to reduce the risk of tipping.
Cover the soil surface to prevent children and pets from digging. Fiber mulch and plant pot grid covers create a barrier between the soil and those who like to dig.
Once you narrow down the list, place your kid- and pet-friendly plants where they will receive the necessary amount of sunlight. An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within two feet of the window. Those that prefer lower light can be grown near a north-facing window or up to six feet back or off to the side of an east- or west-facing window.
Regularly groom and wipe dust off the leaves of your indoor plants to help reduce the risk of insect damage. Remove spotted leaves when they appear and adjust your watering. This is often enough to correct fungal disease problems. Enlist children in the ongoing care of your indoor plants. This will help them gain respect for the plants and may instill a love of gardening.
Give kids a hand lens and go on an indoor pest hunt. Children often find bugs more interesting than plants. Have them place yellow sticky traps like Summitâ Sticky Traps in various pots to help monitor and trap insect pests.
Always look for kid- and pet-friendly options when intervention is needed. Start with a strong blast of water to dislodge pests like aphids and mites. Follow with an application of a lightweight horticulture oil like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil. This organic spray controls aphids, mites, immature whiteflies, and all stages of scale and mealybugs.
And if those tiny fruit-fly-like gnats are too annoying to tolerate, consider managing them with a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis product like Summit Mosquito Bits (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com). It’s labeled for controlling fungus gnat larvae and is non-toxic for people, pets, and plants.
Always read and follow label directions when using any product. You’ll have better results and prevent problems caused by misapplication.
Proper plant selection and ongoing care will help keep your indoor plants healthy and children and pets safe from harm.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article.
Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Challenges arise when growing indoor plants with kids and pets in the house. Keep them safe by selecting pet- and kid-safe plants and pest management strategies.
Increase your indoor gardening success by selecting plants suited to your home’s growing conditions and gardening style. If you tend to overwater your plants, grow moisture-loving plants or opt for more drought-tolerant plants if you practice benign neglect. Once you have your list, double-check their people and pet toxicity. Consult with your veterinarian and visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website for a list of pet-safe and toxic plants. Consult with your pediatrician, local botanical garden, and children’s hospital for a list of kid-friendly indoor plants.
Keep an ongoing list of all the plants you are growing. Include both common and botanical names for accurate identification. Research the care they need and their toxicity to your pets and youngsters in the home. If you suspect your pet or child has ingested a toxic plant, you’ll have the proper plant name when contacting your veterinarian or poison control center.
Display any toxic plants out of the reach of curious kids and pets. This can be challenging if your cat or child is skilled at jumping and climbing. With so many beautiful houseplants, play it safe and avoid those that are toxic or too tempting.
Secure plants against accidental tipping by inquisitive pets and kids with mounting putty. A couple of pieces on the bottom of the pot will help reduce the risk of spilled plants and soil. Invest in pots with wider bases for floor plants or secure several pots together to reduce the risk of tipping.
Cover the soil surface to prevent children and pets from digging. Fiber mulch and plant pot grid covers create a barrier between the soil and those who like to dig.
Once you narrow down the list, place your kid- and pet-friendly plants where they will receive the necessary amount of sunlight. An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within two feet of the window. Those that prefer lower light can be grown near a north-facing window or up to six feet back or off to the side of an east- or west-facing window.
Regularly groom and wipe dust off the leaves of your indoor plants to help reduce the risk of insect damage. Remove spotted leaves when they appear and adjust your watering. This is often enough to correct fungal disease problems. Enlist children in the ongoing care of your indoor plants. This will help them gain respect for the plants and may instill a love of gardening.
Give kids a hand lens and go on an indoor pest hunt. Children often find bugs more interesting than plants. Have them place yellow sticky traps like Summitâ Sticky Traps in various pots to help monitor and trap insect pests.
Always look for kid- and pet-friendly options when intervention is needed. Start with a strong blast of water to dislodge pests like aphids and mites. Follow with an application of a lightweight horticulture oil like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil. This organic spray controls aphids, mites, immature whiteflies, and all stages of scale and mealybugs.
And if those tiny fruit-fly-like gnats are too annoying to tolerate, consider managing them with a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis product like Summit Mosquito Bits (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com). It’s labeled for controlling fungus gnat larvae and is non-toxic for people, pets, and plants.
Always read and follow label directions when using any product. You’ll have better results and prevent problems caused by misapplication.
Proper plant selection and ongoing care will help keep your indoor plants healthy and children and pets safe from harm.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article.
Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a tropical plant with beautiful, unique foliage that’s non-toxic to pets and people.
