Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists have started sampling for largemouth bass at Big Lake and Crane Lake in southwestern Noble County, to establish quotas on how many bass anglers can remove from each lake this summer.

Beginning June 3 on these lakes, the only bass fishermen will be allowed to keep will be 10-14 inches long. The limit will change the current rule requiring anglers to release all bass shorter than 14 inches long.

Once the new rule goes into effect, anglers will be required to release all bass shorter than 10 inches and all 14-inch and larger bass. The daily catch limit for bass will remain at five.

“We expect a lot of bass to come out of Big and Crane lakes this summer,” said DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson. “It should be a great opportunity to catch bass for the frying pan and to get others interested in fishing. In fact, that is one reason why we selected the June 3 starting date. Free Fishing Weekend is June 4-5.”

During Free Fishing Weekend, resident anglers are not required to purchase a fishing license in order to fish. Other days of the year, anglers 18 years old or older need a license.

DNR biologists say allowing anglers to keep only 10- to 14-inch bass at Big and Crane lakes this summer should help reduce overabundant populations of small, slow-growing bass and eventually increase the number of large bass.
“By sampling with shocker boats, we’re getting a good estimate of the actual number of 10- to 14-inch bass in each lake and we’ll be able to determine how many bass we want anglers to take out,” Pearson said. “After the quotas are reached, the standard 14-inch minimum size limit will go back into effect.”
Creel clerks will be stationed at both lakes throughout the summer to count the number of bass taken.

Based on preliminary results of sampling, both lakes contain about three times the normal number of bass, most of which are 10-14 inches long. Anglers will likely be allowed to remove up to two-thirds of the slot limit fish. Actual quotas will be set once sampling is completed in late May.

Free CD for controlling nuisance waterfowl

If unwelcome Canada geese or other waterfowl are creating conflicts in your yard, pond or parking lot, the DNR is offering answers in the form of a free CD containing a 40-minute webinar on the subject.

Spring is a time of nest-building for geese and ducks. Solve your problem now before it becomes bigger; request a CD by contacting your district wildlife biologist. Contact information is at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild and the website also offers more condensed information on how to solve waterfowl conflicts.

Two Indiana lakes open to more boaters

Fishermen will be glad to learn the horsepower limit on the size of outboard motor has been removed for two popular Indiana lakes. Now boaters with 10-hp motors and larger are allowed on Hovey Lake in the Hovey Fish and Wildlife Area in Posey County, and on Glendale Lake on the Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area in Daviess County.

A speed limit of 10 mph will be enforced instead. The purpose of the change is to allow more anglers the opportunity to enjoy the popular fisheries. As always, boaters should use caution and go slower under certain conditions because of water hazards such as submerged tree stumps.

And, boaters should not power-load boats, a practice causing damage to ramps.

After boating on Hovey and Dogwood, boaters should drain their livewells and remove plants, mud and other debris from their watercraft after removing the boats from the water. The practice helps prevent transferring aquatic invasive species to other bodies of water.

Hoppe’s supplies gun cleaning kits to Marines

Hoppe’s, The Gun Care People, has partnered with the organization America 4R Marines to supply more than 5,000 BoreSnake gun cleaning kits to U.S. Marines serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Founded in 2006, America 4R Marines is a nonprofit organization supplying much-needed items for battalions or units in the most remote and hostile areas of operation. Its mission is to not only support the troops with basic human needs and comfort items, but also provide tactical products helping military personnel better maintain their equipment and remain safe in combat zones.
The Hoppe’s BoreSnake Soft-Sided Gun Cleaning Kit allows soldiers to quickly clean the bore of their weapon and get them back into service. The BoreSnake’s one-pass design loosens large particles, scrubs out the remaining residue with a bronze brush and then swabs the barrel’s bore spotless with a cleaning area 160 times larger than a standard patch.

The patented product is also small and lightweight for easy transportation in the field.

“We’re honored to partner with America 4R Marines and provide much-needed supplies to the troops serving our country,” said Phil Gyori, vice president of marketing for Bushnell Outdoor Products, the parent company of Hoppe’s. “It’s a privilege to have an opportunity to support the units and battalions who protect our freedom each and every day.”
 
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.