One giant hot spot
Anglers reeled in near-record catches last year in lake michigan, which should continue to be bountiful in ’21
Inever thought I would see a year like 2020 on Lake Michigan. Chinook and coho salmon records in Illinois stood unchallenged for more than 40 years, but anglers came close last year.
I wondered what 2021 might bring (assuming the weather will break).
On June 20, 2020, Dale Rehus and Chris Ranney went out of Waukegan in Rehus’ boat, ‘‘Delirious,’’ and set up on South Reef as the sun rose.
They then lost six consecutive big fish until Ranney landed one on a meat rig on a downrigger. They estimated it at as a Chinook around 17 pounds. But when Ranney was preparing to clean it, all of their friends said it was a coho. Ranney jumped on a scale with and without the fish and had 18.6 pounds, close to the Illinois record (20 pounds, 9 ounces) caught by Carry VandeVusse on May 24, 1972, in Lake County waters.
On Aug. 14, 2020, Brad Reineking of Fox River Grove launched out of Waukegan with Wisconsin brothers Dan and Ben Keifer. Dan Keifer would reel in an unbelievable Chinook.
‘‘When I got [the king] into the net, I had to hand the net to my buddy, and he was struggling so hard to get it into the boat I had to help,’’ Reineking said. ‘‘I had never seen one that big.’’
It was so big that it didn’t even fit in the big cooler and weighed 35.27 pounds, just short of the Illinois record (37 pounds) caught by Marge Landeen on Aug. 7, 1976, in Lake County waters.
I asked Vic Santucci, Illinois’ Lake Michigan program manager, if there is a chance of a repeat of a record chase in 2021.
“It is hard to predict the future Dale, but
I believe we have been seeing good-sized Chinook and coho harvested the past several years in Illinois and other regions of the lake,” Santucci emailed. “I would anticipate the trend to continue in 2021, barring any unexpected changes in alewife abundance or past increases in production of naturally produced[ wild] salmon and trout .”
As to alewives and other preyfish, Santucci emailed, “We will get some information on the Lake Michigan prey fish community at the
March Lakes Meetings hosted by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC). This year’s Lakes Meetings will be virtual and more information is available at the GLFC website.”
So far, signs are hopeful for 2021 and the years ahead.
“Yes, egg take was good last fall and we anticipate another good stocking year for Lake Michigan salmon and trout,” Santucci emailed. “It is not yet clear what the 2021 stocking plans will be for lake trout stocked by our federal partners in 2021.
“Illinois’ 2021 stocking targets for Lake Michigan are the same as those in 2020. It is also status quo for lakewide stocking of salmon and trout in terms of predator (Chinook salmon) equivalents. However, other states may have plans to adjust target stocking numbers among species, as mutually agreed to in the Lake Michigan Committee’s (LMC’s) Salmonine Stocking Strategy.”
Even with the pandemic, Illinois’ stocking in 2020 went well. Jake Wolf Memorial Hatchery met or slightly exceeded Illinois’ Lake Michigan stocking targets: Chinook, 180,000 (increase of 30,000 from 2019); coho, 300,000; steelhead and Arlee rainbow trout, 135,000 (increase of 25,000 from 2019); and brown trout, 110,000. (Stocking numbers may be found on IFishIllinois.org under the stocking table).
“One difference for 2020 was that we did not receive our typical allotment of 120,000 yearling lake trout from the federal hatchery system that are typically stocked at Julian’s Reef,” Santucci emailed. “The yearlings for Illinois were reared, but had to be stocked from shore in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, the nearest shore stocking site available under 2020 travel restrictions.”
As to Santucci’s view of the Lake Michigan fishery, “For me, the best plan is to have a multi-species salmon and trout fishery and predator community in the lake because it provides the best opportunity to catch fish throughout the year and to sustain the world class fishery that we all enjoy.”
The NCAA said Friday it will allow a limited number of fans to attend all rounds of the men’s basketball tournament next month in Indiana.
The NCAA said it will permit 25% capacity at the venues to allow for social distancing. That figure will include all participants and essential staff, along with the family members of players and coaches.
Attendees must wear face coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting efforts will be emphasized at the venues in keeping with COVID-19 safety protocols. The NCAA said in its statement it acted in conjunction with state and local health officials.
The NCAA previously had announced the 68-team tournament will be played entirely in Indiana because of the pandemic, with most games — including the Final Four on April 3 and the title game April 5 — in Indianapolis.
Michigan (15-1, 10-1 Big Ten) announced the game it postponed Feb. 11 against Illinois (15-5, 11-3) for COVID reasons has been rescheduled for March 2 in Ann Arbor. The game might be crucial in determining who will win the regular-season conference title.
Teyvion Kirk scored 19 points and handed out six assists, Braelen Bridges added 14 points and UIC (9-11, 6-9 Horizon League) ended a seven-game losing streak with a 61-58 victory against Green Bay (7-16, 7-12) at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Francona has another health issue
Indians manager Terry Francona said he recently had surgery for a staph infection in his left big toe and will be on crutches for several weeks in training camp.
Francona, who missed most of last season with health issues, said he was being treated for gout this winter when doctors discovered the infection, which was removed. He spent 10 days in the Cleveland Clinic for treatment.
† The Mets agreed to terms with righthander Taijuan Walker on a two-year, $20 million contract. Walker, 28, was a combined 4-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 11 starts for the Mariners and Blue Jay sin the pandemic shortened 2020 season.
† The Pirates agreed to terms with former White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. If Frazier is added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.
packers release two for cap reasons
The Packers released linebacker Christian Kirksey and offensive tackle Rick Wagner, two of their main free-agent additions from a year ago. Releasing them opens about $10 million in salary-cap space.
† The Eagles released veteran receiver DeSean Jackson after two injury-plagued seasons in which he played only eight games. It was Jackson’s second stint with the team.
† Multiple outlets reported Bills starting linebacker Matt Milano will explore free agency next month because of the team’s salary-cap constraints.
medvedev reaches aussie men’s final
Fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev rolled past fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in the men’s semifinals of the Australian Open in Melbourne to set up a final Sunday against top-seeded Novak Djokovic. Djokovic will be aiming for his ninth Australian
Open title and 18th major championship overall.
nuggets’ murray rings up 50
Jamal Murray scored a career-high 50 points on 21-for-25 shooting, including 8-for-10 from three-point range, to carry the visiting Nuggets past the Cavaliers 120-103. He became the first player in NBA history to score 50 or more points without a free throw, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
burns leads by five shots
Sam Burns followed his 7-under-par 64 in the first round with a 5-under 66 in the second to open a five-stroke lead over four players midway through the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California. Burns completed 36 holes at 12-under 130.