(Editor’s note: Jack Spaulding is temporarily not authoring this column, as he is recovering from illness. We expect him to be back on the job sometime in the coming weeks; in the meantime, this column will be a collation of outdoors, hunting, fishing and related briefs that are in line with Jack’s usual slate of topics.)

 

You’ve heard the saying “Big things come in small packages.” Or is it,  “Good things come in small packages?” For bass fishermen, both are true at Robinson Lake, a small natural lake in Whitley County north of Larwill.

 

Despite covering only 59 acres, Robinson Lake holds more trophy-size largemouth bass than much larger lakes, according to DNR fisheries biologists. Recently, biologists surveyed the lake by electrofishing for 30 minutes. They captured more 18-inch-and-larger bass at Robinson Lake than they have at any other area lake.

“We caught 121 bass,” said Jed Pearson, DNR biologist. “Of those, 76 were 14 to 18 inches long, and eight bass were 18 inches and bigger.”

Four were longer than 20 inches. “We’re lucky if we catch one bass that size during most surveys,” Pearson said. So what makes such a small lake so good for big bass?

“First, we have a special rule in place to protect big bass from harvest,” Pearson said. “Second, the lake is highly productive with lots of forage, including gizzard shad, suckers, bluegills andother fish bass love to eat.”

Robinson Lake is one of only a handful of lakes where an 18-inch minimum  size limit and two-bass per day limitis in place. Most lakes have a 14-inch minimum size limit.

The rule has been in effect there since 1996 after the DNR purchased the lake and much of the adjoining property from the Boy Scouts. Known as the Deniston Resource Area, named after a conservation officer killed in a plane crash, the lake and property is managed by the DNR divisions of Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves.

Pearson added a third reason why Robinson Lake holds so many big bass. Fishermen release nearly all of the bass they catch there, even the big ones.

“By doing so, that keeps them around to be caught again,” he said. “That’s a good thing at Robinson. Given the lake’s small size, overharvest of big bass is still possible if fishermen take out the big ones.”

Celebrate Pollinator Week Celebrate the vital role bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other organisms play in pollinating flowers and crops during Pollinator Week.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed June 19-25 as Pollinator Week in Indiana.

Pollinators are responsible for 35 percent of global crop production. The need for pollinators is increasing as the human population grows and needs more food. But many pollinator populations are declining because of habitat loss, nutritional deficiency, parasites, pathogens, chemical exposure and extreme weather.

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) helps increase pollinator-friendly habitat in a variety of ways. Grasslands and woodlands are regularly established, restored and maintained by DFW on both public and private lands. These projects provide cover and food for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.

Conservation programs administered by DFW provide private landowners with financial and technical assistance to establish pollinator habitat.

In 2016, DFW established 472 acres of pollinator habitat on private property. DFW wildlife biologists also provide technical assistance on conservation programs with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that have established more than 50,000 acres of pollinator- friendly habitat statewide on private lands, including 4,161 acres designed specifically for important pollinator species.

Pollinator habitat can exist almost anywhere, including fallow fields, farms, conservation grasslands, roadsides,

forests and backyards.

Those interested in establishing or restoring habitat, contact a local DFW wildlife biologist. Contact information is at wildlife.IN.gov/2716.htm

A DFW program called CORRIDORS can provide financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners interested in establishing pollinator habitats. Details are at wildlife.IN.gov/9405.htm A new partnership program called Grasslands for Gamebirds & Songbirds (GGS) allows landowners in focal regions of the state to work with DFW and other conservation partners to establish grassland habitats often beneficial to pollinators. People who don’t own land can participate by donating to the program through the GGS fund set up with the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation.

To donate to the Natural Resources  Foundation GGS account, contact DFWlandscape biologists Jason Wade, north region, 260-468-2515, jwade@dnr.IN.gov; or Erin Basiger, south region, 765-276-3047, ebasiger@dnr.IN.gov More details are at extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/POL-5/POL-5.html

Jewell access opens June 23

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the Jewell Road boating access site, which accesses Mullett Lake and is located in Cheboygan County, temporarily closed in early June to accommodate an improvement project.

Site improvements include the removal of an old concrete ramp and replacement of a new double ramp. Construction originally was slated for completion by June 16; however, due to weather and other construction delays, the reopening date has been moved to Friday, June 23.

Boaters are encouraged to use one of three alternate boating access sites for Mullett Lake, including Aloha State Park, Mullett Village boating access site and Forks boating access site. It is recommended that those planning to visit the Jewell Road boating access site visit www.michigan.gov/dnrclosures to view any anticipated changes to the reopening date.

More information on closures and trail detours in DNR facilities, including state trails, boat launches, parks and campgrounds, are listed there.

This project is paid by the Michigan State Waterways Fund. The restricted fund is derived from boat registration fees and the Michigan marine fuel tax.

It helps fund the construction and maintenance of public recreational boating facilities.

Information on boating resources is available at www.michigan.gov/boating Illinois permit deadlines soon Illinois resident and non-resident deer hunters can apply for the second lottery drawing for Firearm Deer and Muzzleloader-only Deer permits.

 

The deadline for the second lottery is June 30.

For more information on deer hunting, check the IDNR’s website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspx

Apply now for Non-Resident Archery Deer Permits. The online lottery application period is open through June 30 for Non-Resident Illinois Archery Combination Deer permits for the 2017-18 deer season. A link for the online application is available  atwww.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/DeerPermitsFees.aspx

Non-residents may apply for one combination archery permit per season. The next Illinois Archery Deer season is Oct. 1 to Jan. 14, 2018 – except closed in firearm deer counties on Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec.3.

Online applications will be accepted from resident Illinois hunters through June 30 for the first lottery for Free Dove Hunting Permits for hunting at select state sites. Applications may be submitted for the second lottery by resident hunters who were unsuccessful in the first lottery, residents who did not apply in the first lottery, and nonresident hunters for the second lottery drawing from July 7-21.

After the second lottery permit application deadline on July 21, hunters may apply for remaining free dove permits on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. on July 28 through Aug. 25. For more information on dove hunting permit areas and free dove permits, visit the IDNR’s website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove/Pages/OnlinePermitApplication.aspx