FRIENDLY TIPS
FOR YOUR LAKE MICHIGAN
BOATING ADVENTURE
• SUMMER HEAT • ANCHOR & LINE • SAFETY The Indiana Limit of Lake Michigan Perch is still 15 per angler. STRANGE VISITOR • HAVE SOME FUN Be it a day or a weekend, take time to relax and enjoy
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[CHARTERS] [SHORE & BOAT] [MARINA & LAUNCH] [FISH SPECIES] [INLAND LAKES] URL: http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/rbmc • SPRING SEASON is the "Cooler Fooler".
Blue skies and bright spring sunshine provide wonderful warmth
after a chilling arctic winter, and the Salmon are eager to begin
their Spring Feeding Frenzy. But if you are sitting in a boat
out in those open waters in early Spring, a wind across the still frigid water
can spell misery. It is not uncommon to see fishermen donned
in heavy parkas while trolling the shallow waters.
Be prepared to dress accordingly. Update your understanding
of HYPOTHERMIA in case of a water emergency.
Sunscreen and protective clothing should be considered.
Parking under a big shade tree is not an option out on
the lake. Days of blistering sun, reflection, high humidity,
and little to no breeze can be quite uncomfortable.
Drink plenty of liquids .... preferably the non-alcohol
variety. Understand the symptoms of heat stroke.
Without being insulting, Lake Michigan is not a "pond".
Old window weights don't suffice the need, and unless
it is a very calm day, a mushroom anchor is not the choice
of preference. Use a good Danforth type anchor to dig into
the sandy bottom, a must in an emergency.
And remember the rule for anchor LINE ..... you should
have enough line aboard to equal 7 TIMES the water depth.
35' of water = 245' of line. Got rope?
Even anchor fishing on a windy day requires more line. Evaluate the wind and drift pattern. Learn where to drop anchor, when did it bite, and will your line keep you from being a nuisance or hazzard to the fish pack? Especially if the wind shifts.
Have aboard the appropriate size and approved life jackets
(PFD) for all passengers. A Throwable floation device.
Fire extinguisher. FLARES REQUIRED! Registration.
A boat captain should know the rules. Consider one of the
boater safety classes in your area. It is time well spent.
Or, earn your "Boater Safety Certificate" on-line:
SAFETY COURSE
• ADDITIONAL ACTION
While much discussion has been devoted to fishing the Salmon and Trout species, there is an annual migration of anglers whose only desire is to catch the Lake Michigan Yellow Perch, a renowned delicacy of tasty, delicate white meat. The long challenging season provides for ample excitement. The "JUMBOS" can run from a
respectable 12"-14", to a whopping 18" in length.
You could find a school and limit out in 15 minutes.
But, using careful practices of catch and release,
you can enjoy the excitement and practice your skills til
they move on. It is not uncommon to be able to
catch 100 or more ..... or to get skunked!!
While dangling a minnow near
the bottom, this 21" Catfish stole
the show from the Perch. A hot
mid-summer day of 2000, in the open
water off Mt. Baldy. (Year 2002
produced another similiar Cat.)
If your trip includes children, make yourself a "KING".
Be sure to take time to head in and anchor down
in some shallow water for swimming time. The public beach or
Mt. Baldy are two popular areas. Most kids will enjoy
a refreshing splash .... pants and all if you forgot
the trunks. A little extra memory for your day on the lake.
The fun can also be a learning period.
It's a great opportunity to let kids learn how
a lifejacket feels/functions when in the water.....
being comfortable in water well over their heads deep.
You're not talking pool kiddie games out here,
where dad will catch you, or they can paddle to a wall. There are no walls on this wide open water to swim to. In a water emergency, anyone can be isolated and alone for an extended period of time. While fun to learn, we hope you never have to experience the necessity of survival.
And kids must WEAR a PFD at ALL times on the water, even when it's hot.
A swim mask improves underwater visibility,
and this was a great day for the first lesson
in Snorkeling. We were able to view some fish around
the rocks by the pier. Thanks to my two great friends,
Matt & Zach from Florida, for joining our trip that day.
the activities along the Lake Michigan shoreline
right here in Michigan City, Indiana.
[BEACH] [BOAT TIPS] [NAT'L PARK] [CASINO] [EVENTS]
[U-PICK] [ATTRACTIONS]
[ANTIQUES] [READING] [SHOP] [NEWS-DISPATCH] [TRAVEL] [LODGING/DINE] [HISTORY-MYSTERY-FUN]
E-Mail: rbmc@netnitco.net