1. WI: Since when do sturgeon eat frogs???
DNR biologists found 7 frogs inside a sturgeon harvested from Lake Winneconne. Said they usually find lake-fly larvae or red worms, and that this was a first:
> “We’ve never observed this in any of the diet work that I’ve been involved with…we’ve probably sampled about 600 stomachs over the last 7 seasons, so this is kind of a rare….”
2. MB: If you’re heading to Lake Winnipeg for #MarchMadness…
…and have a Lowrance GPS unit, better get yourself an Angler’s Edge Mapping chip. Lot more structure scattered ’round that “bowl” than you’d think! And you’re not just stuck to the south shore anymore…they big-time expanded coverage:
3. MB: There’s now mapping for you ‘Bird watchers too.
Humminbird ChartSelect released a Lake Winnipeg download this winter to use with a Humminbird fish finder or the FishSmart App on your phone.
4. MT: Canyon Ferry launch restrictions lifted.
> “…allowing all boaters to access all boat ramps for the 2020 boating year. MT FWP sought to remove the launch restrictions after 3 years of testing resulted in no detections of invasive quagga or zebra mussels.”
5. New Yo-Zuri jerkbaits leaked.
By FLW bassin’ pro Braxton Setzer. Word is they’re dropping at ICAST:
6. New Costa Sunglasses owners cutting 295 jobs.
> “…following the merger of its parent, Essilor, with fellow sunglasses powerhouse, Luxottica. …deal brings a number of famous eyewear brands under one roof…Oakley, Foster Grant, Versace, Giorgio Armani and Ray Ban.”
7. Merc made a 60-hp Racing motor.
Write-up says it’s for “flats skiffs” but I could see the Midwest river rats being all over it for skinny water.
8. Gotta get my hands on one of these.
Ultra-limited edition Okuma Chroma Reels. I’m sure not everyone’s cup ‘o tea…but I’m diggin’ the ’80s windbreaker look:
> [Okuma USA] will be getting a small shipment of these in the next couple of months. [Okuma International] released in some other countries and it was a matter of minutes that they sold out.
Keep you posted if I’m able to spot ’em available before they’re gonezo.
9. Garmin’s Q4 was up 22% in marine.
> …which Garmin said was driven by an innovative product lineup of chartplotters, advanced sonars [Panoptix and LiveScope], and the revolutionary new Force trolling motor….
10. CO: Western Walleye Expo comin’ Apr 4.
At the Adams County Regional Park in Brighton. Free kids event with giveaways, and seminars from Keith Kavajecz, Randy Gaines, Bob Luellen and more.
11. Mission Tackle Rigged Lake Trout Tubes in stock.
Know the 3/4-oz version sold-out last year ’round this time…so wanted to give you a heads up they’re in stock right now.
Come pre-rigged with that clutch stinger hook built-in. I’ll never fish without one after watching lakers on the camera slide up and just grab at the tail of the bait. #DaySaver
12. Rapala has a new CEO at European HQ.
Also thought it was interesting that net sales in Europe were up 5% the second half of 2019, and up a whopping 21% in North America.
13. MI: Prez’s budget has no funding for anti-carp project.
> The proposed project would have reconstructed the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in the Des Plaines River. This would prevent the carp from traveling from southern IL…into Lake Michigan.
