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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
-
2025 Ultimate Sport Show Tour Quickly Approaches
by djkimmel
[November 10, 2025, 12:07:38 PM] -
Ultimate Sport Show - Grand Rapids
by djkimmel
[November 10, 2025, 12:05:56 PM] -
Outdoorama
by djkimmel
[November 10, 2025, 12:03:54 PM] -
Ultimate Fishing Show - Detroit
by djkimmel
[November 10, 2025, 12:01:45 PM] -
NRC Commissioner Proposes Closed Bass Season Burt and Mullett
by djkimmel
[November 10, 2025, 11:43:28 AM] -
2005 Triton V186 Bass Boat
by bassmama
[October 15, 2025, 05:54:38 PM]
Latest Articles
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:21:19 +0000
I'm not trying to rush winter. I'm sure some semblance of winter is on the way. That means we are approaching the 2026 Ultimate Sport Show Tour - the three biggest fishing and outdoor sport shows in Michigan!
Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:30:12 +0000
Yesterday at the Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing, science prevailed thanks to many, many persons who took the time to write in, and especially those who showed up to speak before the Commission on Commissioner Walters’ amendment to close bass fishing on the Inland Waterway and Black Lake from May 1 until the third Saturday in June.
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.
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Recent posts
#1
Ultimate Fishing Show Detroit 2026 / Re: 2025 Ultimate Sport Show T...
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 12:07:38 PMI forgot to point out - NEW!! This year is a multi-day pass you can buy before the show for only $18. Multi-day passes and weekday discount tickets are ONLY available online at showspan.com.
#2
General Calendar Events / Ultimate Sport Show - Grand Ra...
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 12:05:56 PMUltimate Sport Show - Grand Rapids
March 12-15, 2026
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, March 12, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, March 13, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
March 12-15, 2026
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, March 12, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, March 13, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
#3
General Calendar Events / Outdoorama
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 12:03:54 PMOutdoorama
February 19-22, 2026
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, February 19, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, February 20, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 22, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
February 19-22, 2026
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, February 19, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, February 20, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 22, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
#4
General Calendar Events / Ultimate Fishing Show - Detroi...
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 12:01:45 PMJanuary 8-11, 2026
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, January 8, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, January 9, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 10, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 11, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
Show Dates & Hours
Thursday, January 8, 2026
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, January 9, 2026
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 10, 2026
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 11, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $12
Children (6-14): $5
Multi-Day Ticket $18
#5
Ultimate Fishing Show Detroit 2026 / 2025 Ultimate Sport Show Tour ...
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 11:58:24 AMI'm not trying to rush winter. I'm sure some semblance of winter is on the way. That means we are inevitably approaching the 2026 Ultimate Sport Show Tour - the three biggest, highly attended fishing and outdoor sport shows in Michigan!
As usual, we kick of the 2026 fishing show season with the Ultimate Fishing Show - Detroit! January 8 to the 11th, 2026, at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi! I'll be there, so you should be there too! Make sure you show up and tell me your latest fishing story!
Outdoorama, the All Outdoors Show and middle sister of the three Ultimate Sport Show Tour events, runs February 19 - February 22 in Novi at the Suburban Collection Showplace again! I need more of you to show up and visit me. Every kind of outdoors person attends, so I need more anglers to talk bass fishing! We can share some new secrets!
The 'grandma' of all outdoor shows - the 81st Ultimate Sport Show - Grand Rapids comes March 12 - 15, 2026 at DeVos Place. Always tons of fishing stuff at this big, big show. You can see multiple Dans! Dan at 2K Jigs, and me! Plus, you can bring me a birthday present! One of those days I turn a year older.
More information is forthcoming as it becomes available from Showspan. Keep up with the latest news, announcements, contests and promotions here, and on Facebook at Ultimate Sport Show Tour.
BONUS: New this year though I won't have a booth there, but for you Pennsylvania anglers and outdoors people - the Ultimate Sport Show - Pittsburgh, running 3 days, January 30 through February 1, 2026! The new event will be held at Monroeville Convention Center at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville PA 15146. If you within a drive, check it out!
As usual, we kick of the 2026 fishing show season with the Ultimate Fishing Show - Detroit! January 8 to the 11th, 2026, at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi! I'll be there, so you should be there too! Make sure you show up and tell me your latest fishing story!
Outdoorama, the All Outdoors Show and middle sister of the three Ultimate Sport Show Tour events, runs February 19 - February 22 in Novi at the Suburban Collection Showplace again! I need more of you to show up and visit me. Every kind of outdoors person attends, so I need more anglers to talk bass fishing! We can share some new secrets!
The 'grandma' of all outdoor shows - the 81st Ultimate Sport Show - Grand Rapids comes March 12 - 15, 2026 at DeVos Place. Always tons of fishing stuff at this big, big show. You can see multiple Dans! Dan at 2K Jigs, and me! Plus, you can bring me a birthday present! One of those days I turn a year older.
More information is forthcoming as it becomes available from Showspan. Keep up with the latest news, announcements, contests and promotions here, and on Facebook at Ultimate Sport Show Tour.
BONUS: New this year though I won't have a booth there, but for you Pennsylvania anglers and outdoors people - the Ultimate Sport Show - Pittsburgh, running 3 days, January 30 through February 1, 2026! The new event will be held at Monroeville Convention Center at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville PA 15146. If you within a drive, check it out!
#6
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: NRC Commissioner Proposes ...
Last post by djkimmel - November 10, 2025, 11:43:28 AMGood news! Science has prevailed this time! Commissioner Walters withdrew his bass season closure amendment when it became clear in comments by Commissioners Nyberg, Fewins and Eardley that a vote on the amendment would fail!
No change for now to Michigan bass seasons. I don't expect the Burt Lake lake association will give and would not be surprised if Walters tries something else at some point even though the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division testified that no change was needed or wanted.
The summary article:
https://www.greatlakesbass.com/news/conservation/closures/inland-waterway-bass-fishing-closure-defeated/
We will need to keep an eye on this from now on. Pretty easy to keep track of what the NRC is up to by visiting michigan.gov/nrc and viewing meeting dates/times and proposed agendas. It doesn't take a lot of time to view them. The Natural Resources Commission has sole authority to amend and pass fishing and hunting regulations. They can definitely affect your fishing with a simple majority vote out of the 7 Commissioners.
Big thanks to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division for bringing the science. We would not have been successful without that presentation. Big thanks to Kevin VanDam and Mark Zona for getting the word out before the meeting, and so many other people who submitted comments and came to the meeting to speak in opposition of the amendment.
No change for now to Michigan bass seasons. I don't expect the Burt Lake lake association will give and would not be surprised if Walters tries something else at some point even though the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division testified that no change was needed or wanted.
The summary article:
https://www.greatlakesbass.com/news/conservation/closures/inland-waterway-bass-fishing-closure-defeated/
We will need to keep an eye on this from now on. Pretty easy to keep track of what the NRC is up to by visiting michigan.gov/nrc and viewing meeting dates/times and proposed agendas. It doesn't take a lot of time to view them. The Natural Resources Commission has sole authority to amend and pass fishing and hunting regulations. They can definitely affect your fishing with a simple majority vote out of the 7 Commissioners.
Big thanks to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division for bringing the science. We would not have been successful without that presentation. Big thanks to Kevin VanDam and Mark Zona for getting the word out before the meeting, and so many other people who submitted comments and came to the meeting to speak in opposition of the amendment.
#7
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: NRC Commissioner Proposes ...
Last post by djkimmel - October 22, 2025, 04:31:26 PMI kind of forget that the Commissioner just threw Black Lake in here, but we aren't actually sure Black Lake even has any gobies. The DNR isn't aware of them and other anglers who fish there a lot said they haven't seen them. There is a dam on the Black River in the way. Regardless, just another example of how haphazard this whole issue is.
#8
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.
#9
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.
#10
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?