IRON MOUNTAIN — Fall turkey hunting license applications for the 2024 season in Michigan are available through Aug. 1.
Applications are $5 and drawing results will be available Aug. 12. The season runs Sept. 15 through Nov. 14.
You can apply for one limited-quota license valid for a specific fall turkey hunt unit during specific season dates. The Upper Peninsula has a license quota of 1,500.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, meanwhile, is conducting its annual wild turkey brood survey through Aug. 31. A link for the survey is available at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting/turkey .
Watch for turkey hens with young or any other turkeys and fill out the survey, which includes seven short questions.
The survey is part of a multistate effort supported by the National Wild Turkey Federation. For questions about the survey or turkeys in Michigan, call 517-284-9453 or email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov.
Boaters can expect to see increased enforcement this weekend as a part Operation Dry Water, a national year-round boating-under-the-influence awareness campaign.
“As law enforcement, it is our duty to ensure that recreational boaters, paddlers and anyone enjoying our waterways have a safe place to spend their time,” said Lt. Darren Kuhn, Wisconsin DNR boating law administrator. “The tragedies that result from these boating-under-the-influence incidents are 100 percent preventable,” he said.
The Michigan DNR has closed the boating access site at Black River Lake in Gogebic County indefinitely, due to the draining of water from the impoundment. A water control structure on the impoundment approximately 10 miles southeast of Ironwood has partially failed.
Communication between the DNR and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — whose Dam Safety Unit also has been alerted — will continue to assess the next steps and the future management of this area.
Upper Peninsula Recreational Off-Road ATV Riders, or UPROAR, will hold a night ride on Saturday, July 13. Find out more at https://www.uproar906.com/current-events or go to the club’s Facebook page.
The DNR reported this Upper Peninsula activity:
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers were reporting steady catches of lake trout, along with some salmon in fewer numbers, during trolling trips in Keweenaw Bay. In Huron Bay, early mornings proved to be great opportunities for whitefish jigging. Whitefish were biting on either small jigging spoons or baited lures. Anglers were mostly trolling shorelines and drop-offs during their most successful days, and fish were biting on all types of artificial presentations. Anglers who were trolling in water 60 to 120 feet from the surface found both salmon and lake trout suspended in the water column.
Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers reported many successful trips this past week, especially when trolling and jigging. While jigging, anglers found lake trout when using cut bait and lures such as jigging spoons. These fish were caught on the bottom as well as suspended in the bottom third of the water column. Most of these fish were caught in the morning; however, anglers did still get them to bite throughout most of the day. During trolling trips, anglers were able to find salmon and lake trout. Some Chinook salmon were caught north from Portage Entry, and loads of lake trout were found with them. Most trolling was successful in the top half of the water column.
St. Ignace: Lake trout anglers were trolling flasher flies and dodgers in 45 to 50 feet of water along the northeast side of Mackinac Island. Good colors to use were reported to be chartreuse, whites and silvers. Pike were caught in St. Martin’s Bay near the Carp River’s mouth using chartreuse and silver spoons.
