Outdoors

Tips for Family Friendly Fishing in Michigan

May 17, 2013

With fresh water fish including trout, walleyes, salmon, perch, bass ready to bite, Michigan is home to the best catches a fishing trip can offer. And now with the Family Friendly Fishing Waters guide from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), it’s the perfect time to plan a family fishing trip in Pure Michigan.

Learn more about the new site from Elyse Walter of the DNR below, or visit michigan.org to plan your next trip.

How many times have you wanted to go fishing, but weren’t quite sure where to go? As a result, you never ended up taking that trip and missed out on Michigan’s outstanding freshwater fishing.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources understands one of the biggest barriers to getting folks to go fishing is finding suitable places to go. Preferably places an inexperienced angler can find easily, have a high likelihood of catching a fish, and offers simple amenities that enhance the trip. To overcome that barrier, we recently launched a new section of our website: Family Friendly Fishing Waters.

The Family Friendly Fishing Waters section of the website can be found at www.michigan.gov/fishing, and will connect interested individuals with local fishing opportunities. The page features a map of Michigan that’s quite simple for visitors to use – just click on the county you are interested in fishing and check out the list of family-friendly locations to fish. Every single county in Michigan has one or more locations featured.

Nearly all of the locations featured on the Family Friendly Fishing Waters website were submitted by the public and are considered easy for new anglers to access and use.

Each water body’s online profile includes its geographic location, driving directions, parking information, hours of operation, species of fish available, typical bait used, and much more.

Don’t see a water body in the county you love to fish? The DNR will continue to accept potential locations for future inclusion as well. The Family Friendly Fishing Waters online submission form can be found at www.michigan.gov/fishing.

So as you consider what to do for fun this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, perhaps you’ll finally have the tools necessary to plan that long-awaited fishing trip!

Elyse Walter is a communication specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She specifically works with the DNR’s Fisheries Division to help educate and promote the state’s fishing opportunities and aquatic resources.

Is your family planning a fishing trip in Michigan this summer? Share with us below!

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Enjoy 1,300 Scenic Miles of Biking Trails in Michigan

May 15, 2013

in Biking,Outdoors

Spring is upon us, which hopefully means the warm weather is here to stay! Spring and summer months in Michigan are the perfect time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. One great activity for people of all ages is bicycle riding – whether it be riding around Mackinac Island looking at the scenery or on a rigorous ride in the Upper Peninsula.

Take a look at the listing below for a sampling of what Michigan’s trails have to offer, and learn more in the video on biking from the Pure Michigan summer video series.

A complete listing of Michigan’s 1,300 miles of bike trails can be found on michigan.org.

City of Marquette – Bike Path

The city of Marquette maintains over 12 miles of paved bike trails which lead you through some of the most beautiful scenic areas in the country. The path leads the bikers along the shores of Lake Superior, past boating marinas, north to Presque Isle – a 328 acre park and to a large outdoor pool with a waterslide (no charge). The park continues along the Tourist Park Campground and Picnic Area and wooded areas surround the path to the south area of Marquette. More information and a trail map are available here.

Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will encompass 35 miles of trail throughout Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo will be a regional hub, connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan, D Ave. to Portage, and eventually Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. This existing trail and planned trails in other counties will enable you to connect more than 140 miles of trail – connecting together the Battle Creek Linear Park, the Kal-Haven Trail and Portage Bicentennial Park Trail. Currently, there are 17 miles complete of this non-motorized, paved-asphalt trail. Click here for more information.

Petoskey to Mackinac Trail

The Petoskey to Mackinac Trail consists of 35 miles of mostly dirt and cinder trail that passes through Conway, Oden, Ponshewaing, Alanson, Brutus, Pellston, Van, Levering, and Carp Lake to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trailhead in Mackinaw City. The DNR is currently working to fill in the “gaps” in the trail between Oden and Alanson. The surface is currently “unimproved” railroad ballast and gravel. Some sections are in excellent shape while others are tough going for the cyclist, making for a bit of a challenge. The entire trail is bikeable with a hybrid or mountain bike. Carp Lake and Mackinaw City on the north end are especially suitable as staging areas for off trail excursions onto lightly traveled local (paved and gravel) roads, some of which connect to the Cheboygan to Mackinaw City segment of the Gaylord to Mackinaw City Trail. Visit the website for more information.

Stony Creek Metropark

The Stony Creek Metro Park is a scenic 4,461 acre park with hilly terrain enhanced by the beautiful 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. The park includes a nature center, picnic areas, beaches, a disc (Frisbee) golf course, boat launch, fitness trail and golf course. One of the highlights of the park is the paved 6.2 mile Hike-Bike trail and over 10 miles of paved roadways provide scenic drives in all seasons and the fall color is particularly beautiful.

The Detroit Riverfront

When fully completed, the Detroit International RiverWalk will span 5 ½ miles of the Detroit Riverfront, from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge. Currently, 2 ½ miles of East Riverfront is complete and open to the public. The park makes a nice scenic ride in the city and connects to the Dequindre Cut adding 1.35 miles more of paved trail. Visit the website for more information.

Betsie Valley Trail

The Betsie Valley Trail is 22.3 miles long and extends from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville in Benzie County Michigan. From Frankfort to Beulah it is non-motorized. All of it is excellent for bicycles and pedestrian use. The length of the trail makes it a great for bicyclists of all abilities because you can extend or shorten your trip based on skill level. The trail runs through some gorgeous scenery.

Do you have a favorite bike trail or ride in Michigan? Share with us below!

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Motorcycling the Leelanau Peninsula

April 22, 2013

in Guest Blogger,Outdoors

During the week, Brad Van Dommelen is president of the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau — but on weekends he loves to get on his Harley and explore the back roads of the Grand Traverse region. Here he shares one of his favorite rides: the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula.

One thing about riding a motorcycle: it teaches you that sometimes a ride is more than just a way to get from one place to another, that there are times when the journey is more important than the destination.

Of course, there are also those rare times when the journey and the destination are equally exciting. And that’s when you know you’ve found a biker’s paradise.

I’ve found that kind of riding experience here in the scenic countryside around Grand Traverse Bay. Roads that twist and bend around wooded hillsides, past lakes and bays of clear turquoise and deep blue, through towering sand dunes and small towns with rural “Up North” charm.

Traverse City, at the southern end of the bay, serves as a natural hub for this magnificent region, with a wide variety of lodging choices, restaurants, pubs, shopping and entertainment. And the area offers so many touring options that my toughest decision at first was choosing where to start. Fortunately, no matter which way you’re headed you’re almost guaranteed a great ride.

Just a short distance to the northwest, for example, M-22 provides a great day ride along the coastline of the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. Heading north along the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay, there are picturesque villages like Suttons Bay, Omena and Northport with plentiful dining and shopping options, as well as the Indian community of Peshawbestown, home to the Leelanau Sands Casino.

Personally, I can’t help riding to the northernmost tip of the peninsula, where the Grand Traverse Lighthouse stands guard over the rocky shoals just has it has for nearly 150 years. There’s also a secluded Lake Michigan beach nearby at Christmas Cove, and some fine views from the high bluffs at Peterson Park.

From here, M-22 heads south again – this time along the peninsula’s Lake Michigan shore, through the lakeside village of Leland with its picturesque Fishtown district — a unique fishing port whose old shanties and sheds are now filled with galleries and gift shops. Just a few miles to the south, the road enters one of America’s most beautiful natural areas: the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. One of my favorite side trips here is the seven-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive with its beautiful views of the lake and dunes. You might even stretch your legs with a climb up the dunes, though I don’t recommended trying this in riding boots!

One can’t-miss stop in the Sleeping Bear area is Cherry Republic in the village of Glen Arbor, the world’s largest exclusive retailer of cherry products. After all, the Traverse City area produces about 75 percent of the world’s tart cherries! I love browsing through their amazing stores. A few miles farther on, in the village of Empire, is a great public beach and a laid-back little restaurant, the Friendly Tavern, where I usually stop for a burger and some cold wet refreshment before picking up M-72 for a fast ride back to Traverse City.

The M-22 loop is a great way to see the edges of the Leelanau Peninsula, but it doesn’t begin to exhaust the wonders of that beautiful place. In fact, some of the best riding in the Traverse City area is on the interior roads that circle Lake Leelanau or the two Glen Lakes and pass through villages like Lake Leelanau, Cedar and Maple City. Here, as you wind your way among vineyards and orchards, the pace is more agricultural. (And there are lots of wineries offering tastings.)

Take it from me: riding the Leelanau Peninsula is a treat no biker will soon forget. But it will only whet your appetite to try other rides through this beautiful region. Maybe the Old Mission Peninsula? Antrim County’s beautiful Chain of Lakes? Hard to make choices here in Michigan’s True North.

Brad Van Dommelen is president of the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, but he’s been riding motorcycles for many years, both on road and off road, starting at the young age of 10 with his Bonanza mini-bike. His current ride-of-choice is a 100^th anniversary edition 2003 Harley Fat Boy.

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Stocking Steelhead in the Red Cedar River (Part 2)

April 19, 2013

in Fishing,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Last week, Elyse Walter of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources gave us a preview of what was in store for Michigan anglers in the East Lansing area in Part 1 of her post. Today, Elyse fills us in on details of the April 15^th event where 3,000 steelhead were stocked in the Red Cedar River at Michigan State University.

On Monday, April 15, nearly 3,000 steelhead (a variety of rainbow trout raised in captivity) were stocked in the Red Cedar River on Michigan State University’s campus. This activity marked an ordinance change by the MSU Board of Trustees this past December that now allows fishing on campus for the first time since the 1960s.

Because of this ordinance change, hook-and-line fishing is now allowed on the north bank of the Red Cedar River between the western edge of Brody Complex and the Sparty bridge. Previously the river was off limits for more than 50 years due to the entire campus of MSU being considered a preserve and therefore, hunting, fishing and gathering were off limits.

The steelhead stocking was conducted in an effort to enhance future angling opportunities on the Red Cedar. Numerous dignitaries were on hand to assist in the effort by dumping buckets of the six- to eight-inch-long steelhead fish directly into the river.

These dignitaries included: Sparty, MSU Trustee Dianne Byrum, MSU Acting Provost June Youatt, DNR Commissioner Tim Nichols, DNR Director Keith Creagh, Michigan Trout Unlimited’s Bryan Burroughs, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ Amy Trotter, former DNR directors Howard Tanner and Gordon Guyer, and various MSU students and faculty.

Monday’s stocking occurred at the bridge located off the southeast corner of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center’s parking ramp. The 3,000 steelhead that were released were part of the nearly 19 million fish the DNR will stock throughout the state this spring. The DNR uses stocking to restore, enhance and create new fishing opportunities in Michigan’s inland lakes, streams and the Great Lakes.

The steelhead recently put into the Red Cedar will now make their way to Lake Michigan and potentially return to the river to spawn in one to three years.

For interested anglers, fishing the Red Cedar River’s designated area will now be allowed during a three-year test period. Please note a fishing license is required to fish the Red Cedar River. If anglers plan to target trout and/or salmon they will need to purchase an All-Species license.

GO GREEN and pay MSU’s Red Cedar River a visit the next time you’re in town – you never know what you might catch!

Learn more about fishing opportunities around the state at michigan.org.

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A Family Camping Trip to Black Lake

April 17, 2013

in Camping,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Regardless of what type of experience you’re looking for, Michigan has no shortage of lakes and campgrounds to explore year-round. Today, guest blogger Philip Rudy tells us about his favorite family camping destination – Blake Lake State Forest Campground.

For a full listing of campgrounds across the state, visit michigan.org.

In my opinion, there are two types of camping in Michigan: There are the people that go to Higgins Lake with their RV and their TV and then there are people that pitch a tent out basically in the woods.

Not that there is anything wrong with the first type of camping – believe me, I have had my fair share of fun at Higgins Lake and it was a great time indeed. It is a great place to bring all of your friends for a fun, memorable weekend. There are a lot of people that come here from all over Michigan and you can meet tons of people from all over the state and make long lasting relationships.

Black Lake is located in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties right at the top of the Lower Peninsula, and most people will find themselves driving through it if they chance to go to the Upper Peninsula. At this 9-mile long lake, you will find one of the most enjoyable places there is to go camping on the face of this earth (at least, in my opinion). There are tons of great things about this campsite, but here are the top three reasons that I think make this campground one of the best to go to in Michigan.

The Perfect Family Vacation

This place is somewhat secluded in the woods and for this reason there is a little bit more seclusion and more privacy – allowing you to have the perfect time with your family. It feels like you are a little bit more in the woods and you just get the “roughing it” feel.

This allows you to have large campfires, have the family dog around, cook whatever it was that you caught fishing that day, mess around with slingshots in the background and basically all sorts of things you wouldn’t be able to do at your typical campground in Michigan. It’s a great time to just sit around the campfire, come up with different recipes that make absolutely no sense until you eat them and talk about stories until the late hours of the night.

The Lake

The lake is absolutely gorgeous. It goes out for about 100 yards or more of crystal clear, waist deep water. And for how north this lake is, it really never gets too cold in the winter time. The beach is nice and sandy and it isn’t one of those lakes where you are walking on rocks 90% of the time. It is gentle on the feet, and once again a great place for lots of family fun.

The Fishing

If you are an angler, or if you are interested in going fishing in Michigan for the first time, then Black Lake offers the perfect spot to go fishing. The lake is filled with all different types of bass, pan fish, pike, walleye, and even sturgeon. There are boat rental docks all over the place up and down the shore, and you can get on a boat at a decent price any time of the week during the summer months.

There are also great fishing areas all around the Black Lake Area like Kleber Pond, which is great for fishing off the shoreline over lily pads.

I went to Black Lake many summers of my life in my childhood because my father would take my brother and I out there with our friends for a fun family vacation. I encourage others who enjoy camping and are looking for a more “roughing it” feel to go out and try it as well.

Philip Rudy is the owner of Michigan Wine Trail. He also helps run and maintain Spartan Hall of Fame Café as part of his day job. In his spare time he enjoys blogging and owns a plethora of online websites.

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