Post by Whiskers on Jun 7, 2007 10:41:51 GMT -6
Fishing for something to do? Try Carp Derby Saturday
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Gazette Staff Reports
You can hook them on licorice-flavored doughballs, shoot them with a bow and arrow or jab them with a spear.
Any legal method of catching a carp is allowed in Saturday's annual Lake Allegan Carp Derby.
Anglers compete to catch the longest, most, and heaviest carp from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.
The exercise is designed to help rid the lake of the pollutants carp store and to ease the problems they cause when they stir up sediments as they feed.
Larry DeLong, superintendent of the Battle Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, said the derby netted 2,000 pounds of carp last year. The dead fish were hauled to a landfill.
The take may be even larger this year. Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to help with its shocker boat, which temporarily stuns the fish and makes them float to the surface. The carp can be identified and killed, and other fish breeds are allowed to recover and swim away, DeLong said.
No fishing license is needed to participate in the derby, because it falls during Free Fishing weekend.
No registration is required, either. Eligible fish can be caught anywhere upstream of the Lake Allegan Dam.
De Long said participants should just show up at Echo Point access on Lake Allegan, off Monroe Road, to fish as long as they wish. Fish can be brought to the Public Access Site between hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for measurement.
The event is open to all ages. Prizes will be awarded, and educational materials will be available.
The derby is organized by the Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River Watershed Phosphorus TMDL Implementation Committee.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Gazette Staff Reports
You can hook them on licorice-flavored doughballs, shoot them with a bow and arrow or jab them with a spear.
Any legal method of catching a carp is allowed in Saturday's annual Lake Allegan Carp Derby.
Anglers compete to catch the longest, most, and heaviest carp from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.
The exercise is designed to help rid the lake of the pollutants carp store and to ease the problems they cause when they stir up sediments as they feed.
Larry DeLong, superintendent of the Battle Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, said the derby netted 2,000 pounds of carp last year. The dead fish were hauled to a landfill.
The take may be even larger this year. Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to help with its shocker boat, which temporarily stuns the fish and makes them float to the surface. The carp can be identified and killed, and other fish breeds are allowed to recover and swim away, DeLong said.
No fishing license is needed to participate in the derby, because it falls during Free Fishing weekend.
No registration is required, either. Eligible fish can be caught anywhere upstream of the Lake Allegan Dam.
De Long said participants should just show up at Echo Point access on Lake Allegan, off Monroe Road, to fish as long as they wish. Fish can be brought to the Public Access Site between hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for measurement.
The event is open to all ages. Prizes will be awarded, and educational materials will be available.
The derby is organized by the Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River Watershed Phosphorus TMDL Implementation Committee.
