Salmon, steelhead the stars on Lake Michigan

Similarly, fishermen from all over the U.S. fly or drive in to try their luck on the state’s most-fished water body, Lake Michigan.

While there’s amazing smallmouth bass, yellow perch, pike, walleye and Great Lakes strain muskie fisheries on Green Bay waters, the “reel” stars of summer on the main lake are Chinook salmon (kings) and rainbow trout (steelhead).

Last year, more than a quarter of some 225,000 Chinooks and rainbows caught came off a single county, Kewaunee. Not only do the ports of Algoma and Kewaunee offer dozens of charter boats, they’re also wildly popular with Wisconsin and Minnesota anglers trailering in on highways 29 and 54.

To save a lot of time and frustration, follow fishing report pages online or have a good contact at a lakeshore bait and tackle shop, then closely monitor the weather. You’re looking for a stretch of stable conditions, and lighter winds.

For those newer to the sport, splitting the cost of a charter trip with a group of friends is a good bet. Learning what to use and how to deploy it in the water column can be more important than figuring out where to go. Depending on the number of hours and size of the group, four to six people can expect to pay $150-$200 each, including tips for the captain and mate.

If you’re only coming once, why not plan your adventure during a fishing contest? That can make every strike more exciting. Many big kings sizzle 100 yards or more of line on their initial run, with the largest giants sometimes battling a half-hour or longer.

Last year, a record 3,891 people tried their luck in the Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament, the largest salmon-only summer fishing contest on the Great Lakes. The event paid out more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Fourteen salmon larger than 30 pounds were caught. Tickets for this year’s July 11-20 event cost $30, or $10 for age 10 and under. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/kdsalmon2025/.

If you want to fish more ports, and for more species, the lakewide Salmon-A-Rama July 12-20 might be for you. Ticket options include youth ($20); adult boat, shore and kayak ($50 each); group boat ($375); and charter ($500). More information is available at https://www.salmon-a-rama.com/.

Finally, a local event with multiple categories is the 45th annual Marinette & Menominee (M&M) Great Lakes Sport Fishermen’s Brown Trout Derby July 26 and 27. Check out the group’s Facebook page for more information as the derby nears.

Helping bats

All eight of Wisconsin’s bat species consume vast quantities of night-flying insects. Biologists estimate that a single bat can devour hundreds to thousands of insects in just an hour. Many of those are mosquitoes, but agricultural pests like corn earworm moths, potato beetles and cutworm moths are also consumed, helping farmers and gardeners see reduced damage.

Many of Wisconsin’s bat species have seen drastic declines from a fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome. In recent years, the state’s most common species, the little brown bat, has shown rebounding numbers at some significant hibernation sites across the state.

Want to help bats? There are commercial bat houses available for purchase, or you can build your own. For tips on building, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/BatHouse.html. For a list of answers to frequently asked questions about bats, visit
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/batFAQs.

Shooting range grants

Managers of shooting ranges that meet public access requirements or individuals interested in building a new shooting range are encouraged to apply for the state’s Shooting Range Grant Program by July 15. New this year, before submitting an application, anyone interested is required to contact DNR grant program manager Sarah Brenner at (715) 894-8666 or DNR public shooting range manager Brett Johanen at (608) 772-4928 to discuss their interest in applying.

A federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment through the Pittman-Robertson Act makes the funding possible. Learn more at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/ShootingRange.html.

Choose wisely

Green Bay and Lake Michigan fish are high in protein and contain vitamins, minerals and healthy omega-3 fats. However, like many other things in our diet, some of those fish might also take in pollutants from their environment and food.

To reduce your exposure to contaminants, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health in conjunction with the DNR has come up with a “Choose Wisely” publication. For the latest recommendations, check out https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/consumption.

Millions are watching

National recreation survey results estimate that some 96 million Americans closely observe, feed or photograph birds. Most of them enjoy birdwatching from home, known as backyard birding, while more than 40% also travel one mile or more from home for the primary purpose of observing birds.