With walleye season hitting its peak, the bass just hopping on the beds and the panfish bite about to heat up - let’s look at ways we can sustain and improve our fisheries.
One of the best way to help sustain our fish populations is to follow all DNR mandated catch and possession limits each season. If however you’d like to help improve the fishery there are some simple steps you can follow. The first thing we can all do is practice a little catch and release. I’m not suggesting you never keep any fish, but instead that you let the majority of the fish you catch go. That especially means the larger trophy fish. Releasing larger fish has been shown to improve overall fishery health whether through increased production of young or the increase survival of eggs and fry. This in turn means more adult (big) fish for us to catch in the future! The second sustainable practice we can all follow is making sure we prevent the spread of invasive species. The best way to do this is Clean, Drain and Dry your boat and gear. Did you know that one invasive species can completely alter the fishery? It can be so invasive and effective at taking over the lake that what once was a great lake to fish is now totally devoid of game species or has all stunted populations. We see this with Eurasian water milfoil. This invasive plant takes over the bottom of the lake and out competes native species. When it takes over it forms dense mats of vegetation that is not only hard to navigate through but doesn’t allow fish or invertebrates to live in or feed in the infested area. This alteration of habitat fish to move to find food or new habit, which is already limited. If we all do our part and become responsible anglers, we can catch more and bigger fish. So, get out on the water and catch some fish!
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What comes to mind when you hear the words, Antrim County and food? Perhaps you immediately think of your favorite restaurant or watering hole serving delicious locally-sourced meals and beverages? But, did you know you have a cornucopia of delicious food right in your backyard? That’s right, and all served up by that queen of culinary delights herself, Mother Nature. If you don’t mind Michigan’s variable weather and a hike in the woods, you can find tasty treats to satisfy any fancy. As Spring slowly makes her way into 2018, you’ll start to notice wild edibles begin to emerge. As always, be sure you correctly identify wild edibles before consumption. Now, let’s dive into a few of the many wild edibles Mother Nature has to offer! Ramps aka “Wild Leeks” What to look for: Groups of long green leaves on the forest floor with a distinct onion smell. Sustainability: Avoid pulling an entire bunch out at once, instead pick half or less of the ramps in a single cluster. The greens are just as useful as the bulbs, so consider picking some greens only. How to use: Pickled ramps (both the greens and the bulbs, or just the greens) are a great way to go. Use fresh ramp bulbs in place of onion or garlic; they can also be dehydrated and used in soups year-round. Spruce tips What to look for: Any kind of spruce tree works. The best time to harvest is when the new, bright green and tender shoots are visible on the ends of branches. Sustainability: Avoid picking too many tips from one section of the tree. Pick randomly while moving around the tree. Try to harvest from tall, mature spruce. How to use: Steeped fresh in maple syrup or apple cider vinegar (about 50:50 ratio of spruce tips to liquid). Dried and used as a tea or spice. Sometimes used in brewing beer. Stinging Nettle What to look for: In early spring, look for nettle stalks up-to and around a foot tall. It’s recommended to wear gloves when picking stinging nettles. Sustainability: The best and most sustainable way to harvest nettles is to pick the top few inches of the plant. How to use: Stinging Nettle must be cooked to remove its stinging properties. Stinging nettle is great for making full-bodied teas and nutritious broths, and can be steamed/sauteed like any other leafy green vegetable. Fiddleheads What to look for: In damp or swampy locations, look for patches of ostrich ferns. A single fern will have several grooved stalks growing out from the soil. Sustainability: Only pick fiddleheads when the ends are still coiled tightly. Always pick less than half the fiddleheads from single fern. Snap the stalk a few inches below the coil; the stalks are just as useful as the fiddleheads. How to use: Use in the same way you would use asparagus; coated with olive oil and grilled, sauteed as part of a stir fry, chopped up and baked in a quiche. There are many great resources out there, but here a couple books our staff enjoys that cover identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible wild plants: The Forager's Harevst by Samuel Thayer Nature's Garden by Samuel Thayer Now, get outside and harvest sustainably! All photos are provided by Antrim Conservation District Board Chairman, Joe Pomerville. |