Outdoor News Daily

OLYMPIA - With summer in full swing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding recreational boaters that they are legally required to remove all aquatic plants from their boats and trailers before driving away from the launch ramp.

Those that fail to do so could face a $378 fine.

Washington state law makes it illegal to transport aquatic plants that may be dispersed unintentionally along roads and highways. The law, which is being enforced as of July 4 to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, especially applies to recreational boaters whose vessels and gear get entangled with plants while in the water, said Bruce Bjork, chief of WDFW’s enforcement program.
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VANCOUVER, Wash. - Anglers planning to fish on the lower Columbia River now have a new place to launch their boats.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently leased a new boat launch site on Deep River in Wahkiakum County to serve anglers fishing for sturgeon, salmon and other species in the Columbia River estuary.

The new site, called Lori’s Launch, is open to the boating public at no charge, seven days per week. It is located near the end of Waranka Road, about half a mile south of State Route 4 off Miller Point Road.
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Olympia — A public boat launch managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at Black Lake in Thurston County will be closed July 12 and 13 to ensure public safety during scheduled hydroplane races.

The launch will be closed Saturday July 12, 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 13, 11:59 p.m.

The Black Lake site will be reserved for hydroplane races that occur annually on the lake.

WDFW access sites are small and not designed for this increased activity, said Bert Loomis, WDFW regional acting lands manager.
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Michigan Department of Natural Resource officials today announced the Otter Lake boating access site in the Upper Peninsula’s Houghton County will be closed for construction beginning July 14. Construction is scheduled to be completed by July 18 and, until repairs are complete, boaters and anglers can access the lake from the Otter Dam boat launch site on the north end of the lake.

The construction upgrade includes dredging the boat launch area and installing a new 18-foot-wide by 70-foot-long concrete ramp and a new five-foot by 30-foot courtesy pier. For more information, please contact Dan Dowdy at (906) 353-6558.
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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced emergency regulations aimed at slowing the spread of fish-killing Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Illinois after sampling of fish in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan detected the presence of VHS in two species of fish sampled.

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is a disease of fish caused by an aquatic virus previously unidentified in the Midwest. While it does not affect humans, VHS can kill a substantial number of fish and has been spreading throughout the Great Lakes.

“The new regulations we are implementing are immediate and appropriate steps in trying to slow the spread of this dangerous aquatic virus in Illinois,” said IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood. “Sport fishing and boating are both very popular and important to the Illinois economy. The cooperation of anglers and boaters is essential in combating VHS.”
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