Freshwater Trout Photography

Cutthroat Trout

These tips will help anglers to photograph a trophy trout or char without harming the fish:

* Make sure that equipment is working and ready before handling fish.

* Keep fish in the water until the photo is taken. Every second that the fish spends out of the water can affect its chance for survival after release.

* When ready for the picture, barely lift the fish out of the water.

* Have the angler support the fish by cradling it in their hands. Place one hand under the fish's belly and one at the fish's tail.

* When lifting the fish, keep it horizontal and support it's full body weight. Avoid holding fish in a vertical position by the jaw.

* Avoid taking fish out of the water for more than 20 seconds. A good habit is to have the angler hold their breath until the picture is taken.

* After the photo has been taken, lower the fish into the water and gently move the fish back and forth in the water to revive it. When the fish tries to swim away, release it.

Trophy Bream Sunfish Techniques

Bream (Bluegill Sunfish)

Having an arsenal of fishing techniques will increase the odds of success. To insure a good catch of bream (bluegill sunfish), experiment with these proven tactics:

 - Fish the early morning. In some locations the bite can be incredible during the first hour of daylight.

 - Cast as close as possible to structure such as stumps, cypress trees, overhanging limbs, and submerged vegetation.

 - Target areas of water flow (streams, springs, culverts, dams, channels, tidal rips).

 - Watch for seasonal food sources and adjust fishing techniques to exploit changing behavior.

 - Use ultralight outfits, cane poles, or fly fishing gear to present small natural baits to wary fish.

- Experiment with small, brightly colored lures, especially soft plastics and feather jigs.

- Fish a variety of depths with small floats or slowly jig lures throughout the water column.

 - Try fishing for sunfish with a kayak, canoe, or other small boat. Small craft allow fishermen to explore areas that are impossible to reach using conventional boats.

 - Wear polarized eyewear to help spot fish, structure and bottom features

 - Keep essential fishing equipment available including line cutters, pliers, camera, etc.

 - Keep a journal, noting time of day, weather conditions, barometric pressure, moon phase, water levels, etc.

Maine USA Freshwater Fishing

Atlantic Salmon

Over the last 10 years, Maine has maintained its license sales while most other New England states have experienced significant declines in purchases of hunting and fishing licenses.

“Maine’s outdoors remain a destination for anglers and hunters, drawing people to the inland waters and woods and the sporting opportunities that are available there,” said Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “The last 10 years have included tough economic times, when many people have tightened their belts. People still see Maine hunting and fishing licenses as a bargain, and are not cutting them from their budgets.”

From 1999-2009, Maine fishing license sales have remained fairly consistent, up 0.19 percent. Among the New England states, only Vermont saw an increase in fishing license sales, up 20.80 percent.

The other states experienced double-digit percentage drops: Connecticut: -15.91 percent; Massachusetts, -12.09 percent; New Hampshire, -15.54 percent; and Rhode Island, -26.92 percent.

Colorado, Michigan, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming also experienced declines in sales.

Only Montana had a slight uptick in fishing license sales. The numbers were compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Maine is one of the few destinations in the USA where anglers can fish for Atlantic salmon. Other popular freshwater fish include brook trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, musky, and a variety of panfish.  

source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

How to Become a Licensed Fishing Guide

Starting a professional fishing guide business can be a rewarding experience. Fishing guides offer trips to enjoy traditional fishing, fly fishing, kayaking, nature tours, eco-tourism, and other outdoor adventures.

Starting a fishing guide business takes considerable self study. Information about starting a business can be gathered in a number of ways, including gaining related work experience, networking with other business owners, taking business classes, or reading business start up books.

Several elements of business may apply to starting a guide business. In most cases, doing research before launching a business is essential.

In the USA, any operator of a boat for hire is required to be licensed. These licenses are issued by the United States Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers.

Fishing guides may also need to obtain a TWIC card. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

Setting up a website for your guiding business is one of the most important decisions. The most important aspect of an outdoor guide website is its ability to generate business. To do this, it must be able to be found by your customers.

A reputable designer can explain all the factors that influence a website's search engine rankings, suggest which key phrases might be important and offer services to help your site perform well on Google, Bing and other search engines.

Websites for fishing guides often include an about us page, trip descriptions, directions, photo galleries, trip reports and perhaps even offer a few products for sale such as t-shirts, hats or custom fishing tackle.

Once a fishing guide website is live, it should be listed in outdoor guide directories or other fishing industry resources. Other methods of promotion include online press releases.

How Did Asian Carp Get in Lake Calumet?

Invasive bighead carp
Credit: USGS

Scientists from Southern Illinois University report the Asian carp found in Lake Calumet are most likely the result of a cultural release.

Human introduction is one of over twenty ways aquatic species may be introduced to new environments.

The scientists released their findings after conducting tests on the six year old fish caught in June.

Lake Calumet is the largest body of water in Chicago. Once a shallow natural lake, the waterway has been heavily modified by man.

Despite human influence, the lake and surrounding area sustains fish and  wildlife. The Lake Calumet basin has been designated an Important Bird Area of Illinois.

Invasive Asian Carp, a collection of four distinct fish species, represent a serious, but manageable threat to the Mississippi and Great Lakes Region.

Introduced in the 1970s by southern catfish farmers, Asian Carp traveled north through U.S. waterways to their current location in the Illinois River.

To cope with the further spread of these invasive species of carp, regulators installed electric barriers to prevent further progression.

Further preventative measures being considered include lock closures which would cause disruption of commercial traffic through the northern most locks on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS).

For more information on the negative effects of Chicago Area Waterway System lock closures, visit: www.unlockourjobs.org