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djkimmel
2025-06-08, 20:11:45I'm planning on moving to a new server within the next 2 to 3 weeks. Just a little friendly warning as there might be a few hours of odd behavior when the process starts. I will try to have it done at night or weekend.
djkimmel
2025-03-04, 16:50:42The Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids is March 13 - March 16 next week!
djkimmel
2025-03-04, 16:45:26Please visit booth 1929 back by The Hawg Trough to say hi and wish me happy birthday while you're at it! 
djkimmel
2025-02-09, 14:35:57Stop by booth 5767 near the west end of the Suburban Collection Showplace to keep me company at Outdoorama February 20-23.
djkimmel
2025-01-23, 15:12:26Next up - Outdoorama in Novi February 20-23, 2025! See you there!
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Recent Topics
-
2005 Triton V186 Bass Boat
by bassmama
[October 15, 2025, 05:54:38 PM] -
NRC Commissioner Proposes Closed Bass Season Burt and Mullett
by djkimmel
[October 15, 2025, 05:47:50 PM] -
Dumping grounds
by BIGSHOW
[September 11, 2025, 09:06:53 AM] -
Little Muskrat Lake, Big Largemouth Bass VIDEO
by djkimmel
[August 07, 2025, 02:57:08 PM] -
Rod guide repair
by Chewy
[June 03, 2025, 08:51:17 PM] -
Update on cancer
by djkimmel
[June 03, 2025, 05:31:26 PM]
Latest Articles
Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:09:35 +0000
Just before the October Natural Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, October 9, Commissioner John Walters added an amendment to Fisheries Order 206 – “Bass - Closed bass CIR season from May 1 – Friday before the third Saturday in June for Burt, Mullet, Crooked, Pickerel, and Black Lakes and their connecting waters.”
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:46:33 +0000
Now is the best time to be a bass angler on Lake St. Clair in at least the last 50 years according to a recent long-term MDNR fisheries research study.
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:00:54 +0000
Due to low water levels on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake St. Clair, the mouth of the channel at the Michigan DNR Clinton River Cutoff ramp needs to be dredged.
Tue, 04 Mar 2025 17:11:14 +0000
Over 4 Acres of Fishing and Hunting Gear, Fishing Boats, Seminars and more available starting Thursday, March 13 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Many great seminars featuring Kevin VanDam and Mark Zona.
Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:06:06 +0000
If you enjoy your time in the outdoors – hunting, fishing, boating, camping etc. – then Suburban Collection Showplace is the place for you and your family Feb. 20-23 when the 52nd Annual Outdoorama returns to town.
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Recent posts
#1
Fishing Boats For Sale / 2005 Triton V186 Bass Boat
Last post by bassmama - October 15, 2025, 05:54:38 PMSelling this boat for a young friend who's headed to apprentice as a welder and needs the cash (and won't have any time for fishing!). It's a 2005 Triton V186 Bass Boat with a Honda 135-hp 4-stroke engine that does not start. We're told it's a problem with the throttle body. It's an absolutely solid boat that handles great and has tons of storage. Includes 3 Lowrance fish finders (one with a cracked screen). Trailer is in excellent shape. Asking $10,500 as is. Make an offer! Located near Madison, Wisconsin.
#2
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / NRC Commissioner Proposes Clos...
Last post by djkimmel - October 15, 2025, 05:47:50 PMJust before the October Natural Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, October 9 in the Upper Peninsula, Commissioner John Walters added in an amendment to Fisheries Order 206 – "Bass - Closed bass CIR season from May 1 – Friday before the third Saturday in June for Burt, Mullet, Crooked, Pickerel, and Black Lakes and their connecting waters."
This means NO bass fishing on the Inland Waterway from May 1 until the third Saturday in June. I've been sick with bronchitis so I missed this until the night of the NRC meeting. Thank goodness the NRC tabled this amendment for input and clarification until at least the November 6, 2025 meeting.
This is coming out of the so-called Burt Lake Preservation Association (lake association really) pushing the MDNR hard to do something about the changes they think they are seeing in shallow beds on Burt Lake and they are blaming gobies.
This is a great case of reverse scientific method. Unfortunately, despite multiple times being told there's nothing that need to be done about this by the Michigan DNR, this group is being relentless. They say they are not anti-tournament, but that's the type of fishing they keep mentioning the most. They are not clear on many things including thinking there were regular bass tournaments in mid-May, which is of course, not true.
Commissioner Walters is from there and knows these people so he is doing this for them despite DNR and MUCC opposition.
To be clear, this is NOT the MDNR doing this. It is one NRC Commissioner. Unfortunately, they have the authority over all fish and game regulations so they could adopt this.
If you do not like this type of loss of fishing - a complete closure again for about 7 weeks, and especially if you are worried about this being expanded to more goby waters, please take action. I am posting an action alert that will be on the home page of this website shortly with how to act and information that might be helpful.
You can always email nrc@michigan.gov and tell them what you think. That will get to the entire 7 Commissioners. They rarely hear from bass anglers, yet they have complete authority. You can find out more about the NRC and the Commissioners at michigan.gov/nrc.
This means NO bass fishing on the Inland Waterway from May 1 until the third Saturday in June. I've been sick with bronchitis so I missed this until the night of the NRC meeting. Thank goodness the NRC tabled this amendment for input and clarification until at least the November 6, 2025 meeting.
This is coming out of the so-called Burt Lake Preservation Association (lake association really) pushing the MDNR hard to do something about the changes they think they are seeing in shallow beds on Burt Lake and they are blaming gobies.
This is a great case of reverse scientific method. Unfortunately, despite multiple times being told there's nothing that need to be done about this by the Michigan DNR, this group is being relentless. They say they are not anti-tournament, but that's the type of fishing they keep mentioning the most. They are not clear on many things including thinking there were regular bass tournaments in mid-May, which is of course, not true.
Commissioner Walters is from there and knows these people so he is doing this for them despite DNR and MUCC opposition.
To be clear, this is NOT the MDNR doing this. It is one NRC Commissioner. Unfortunately, they have the authority over all fish and game regulations so they could adopt this.
If you do not like this type of loss of fishing - a complete closure again for about 7 weeks, and especially if you are worried about this being expanded to more goby waters, please take action. I am posting an action alert that will be on the home page of this website shortly with how to act and information that might be helpful.
You can always email nrc@michigan.gov and tell them what you think. That will get to the entire 7 Commissioners. They rarely hear from bass anglers, yet they have complete authority. You can find out more about the NRC and the Commissioners at michigan.gov/nrc.
#3
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Dumping grounds
Last post by BIGSHOW - September 11, 2025, 09:06:53 AMWhere exactly are the "dumping grounds " at coming out of erie metro?
#4
Bass Fishing Inland Lakes & Rivers / Little Muskrat Lake, Big Large...
Last post by djkimmel - August 07, 2025, 02:57:08 PMOn July 13, 2025 I was fishing tiny Muskrat Lake flipping a 10-inch junebug Power worm when a big ole Michigan largemouth bass decided to eat it and try hard not to come into the boat!
What a short, but very fun tug of war we had! This respectable bass weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces! I got it in the boat on video and then a couple quick pictures and released still feisty back into the lake for someone else to try for it!
What a short, but very fun tug of war we had! This respectable bass weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces! I got it in the boat on video and then a couple quick pictures and released still feisty back into the lake for someone else to try for it!
#5
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Rod guide repair
Last post by Chewy - June 03, 2025, 08:51:17 PMI didn't think about D&R, good idea! Thanks Dan.
#6
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Update on cancer
Last post by djkimmel - June 03, 2025, 05:31:26 PMGlad to hear it! I hope that continues and you are in complete remission? I haven't talked to you since the Bob o get together.
#7
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Rod guide repair
Last post by djkimmel - June 03, 2025, 05:30:05 PMDid you try asking at D and R Sports Center? I don't know if they have anyone, but they might know someone. Bob o used to do rod repairs though he is in SE Michigan.
#8
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Rod guide repair
Last post by Chewy - May 31, 2025, 06:29:34 PMLooking for someone in Southwest Michigan that repairs guides. I have an old rod that I don't to throw out because I have had it for so long. The guide about 4 down from the tip broke off. I need a new guide and wrap. I used to take mine to The Outdoorsman in Jenison but the gentleman who used to do it for them has retired. Any help is appreciated.
#9
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Update on cancer
Last post by Chewy - May 31, 2025, 06:23:20 PMThat's great news! Will be praying for you.
#10
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Update on cancer
Last post by triton22 - May 30, 2025, 10:33:53 PMI received my results on my first lung scan this week. No new cancer, doctor says everything is stable and looking great. Wil do another scan in 3 months