Naze: Algoma, Kewaunee fish place high in K/D

By the time the last bait is reeled in Sunday afternoon, it’s likely that close to 3,000 anglers will have fished the 34th annual Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament.

As of midweek, more than 150 Chinooks larger than 22 pounds had already been put to official scales, including a 42-inch, 35.46-pounder off northern Door County — the largest in the contest since 1999.

Second place at the time was a 40-inch, 30.58-pounder reeled in off Algoma Monday night, and third was a 29.89-pound beauty hooked off Kewaunee opening day.

Anglers in the tournament are noticing a much-improved size of fish this year. Only 11 fish larger than 22 pounds were registered in the entire tournament last year.

Through midday Wednesday, there were already 30 Chinooks larger than 25 pounds in the K/D. Compare that to the lakewide Salmon-A-Rama contest that ended July 17, in which the top 20 “kings” ranged from 24 to 28 pounds over nine days.

With more than 250 20-pound-plus salmon already put to scale, tournament organizers believe it’ll take a fish of 22 to 23 pounds to get into the final payout.

The nine-day contest runs through Sunday. See photos and get daily leader board updates on the K/D Salmon Tournament page on Facebook.

Cost to enter is $25, or $13 for a one-day chance. Everyone on the boat must have an entry ticket before fishing. A number of fish had to be disqualified when all anglers did not.

Millions fish

One of the nation’s most popular outdoor activities, sport fishing, gained more than 2.5 million new anglers in 2015.

The 2016 Special Report on Fishing was released by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and the Outdoor Foundation at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades Show in Orlando recently.

It revealed that a total of 45.7 million Americans (15.6 percent of the U.S. population) participated in fishing. Previous research has shown that more than 120 million people have tried fishing, but some only go once, or every so many years.

Outdoor Foundation Executive Director Chris Fanning said recreational fishing is an essential piece of America's outdoor tradition, often leading children to a love of the outdoors and a healthy, active lifestyle.

"We hope this report will help the fishing industry — and the entire outdoor industry — engage young fishing participants and ultimately create the next generation of passionate outdoor enthusiasts,” Fanning said.

The eighth annual report details fishing participation by gender, age, ethnicity, income, education and geography.

In it, you learn that about 44 percent of the new participants are youth ages 6 to 17, and 46 percent are female.

Fishing is the second most popular outdoor activity for adults ages 25-plus, behind running/jogging/trail running.

In addition to overall trends in participation, the report also looks at barriers, motivating factors and preferences of key groups, along with opportunities for engaging new audiences.

Duck Stamp

Trumpeter swans are in the spotlight as the 2016-2017 Federal Duck Stamp is now on sale. It’s the 83rd anniversary of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

Since 1934 sales from the stamp have raised more than $800 million to acquire and protect more than six million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

To purchase or learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp, visit www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php.

Short shots

> Last call to comment on a proposed Lake Michigan salmon-stocking cut for 2017. There’s some info from public meetings at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/LakeMichiganSalmonandTroutMeetings.html. The direct email link to comment is dnrlakemichiganplan@wisconsin.gov.

> Aug. 1 is the deadline to apply for fall wild turkey tags, upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing lottery and bobcat, fisher and otter permits.

> Bonus leftover deer permits go on sale in mid-August. See where they’re available, and how many for private and public land in each unit, at http://dnr.wi.gov/permits/bonusavailability.html.

Kevin Naze is a freelance outdoors writer. Email him at wildtimes@wizunwired.net.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Naze: Algoma, Kewaunee fish place high in K/D