Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hatchery staff are stocking hybrid striped bass across the state for the benefit of Hoosier anglers. Hybrid striped bass, also known as “wipers,” are a hybrid species of white and striped bass.

By hybridizing the two, hatchery staff are able to produce fish that grow faster and larger than a typical white bass, yet can tolerate a wider range of conditions than pure striped bass.

On June 17, DNR hatchery staff began stocking nine different lakes across the state with hybrid striped bass. The fish average between 1-1.5 inches when they are stocked, but can reach sizes averaging 13 inches by their second year.

Hybrid striped bass are known for being a challenging catch, but they also help control undesirable species such as gizzard shad in some Indiana lakes. Hybrid striped bass are typically not capable of reproduction. Stockings will be completed in these areas:

•Nyona Lake (Fulton County): 1,040 fish

•Worster Lake (St. Joseph County): 3,270 fish

•Clare Lake (LaPorte County): 420

•Lake Shafer (White County): 12,910

•Lake Freeman (White County): 15,470

•Shadyside Pond (Madison County): 1,000

•Monroe Lake (Monroe County): 53,750

•Hardy Lake (Scott County): 7,000

•Patoka Lake (Dubois County): 44,000

The anticipated stock numbers are not always realized due to production issues and other circumstances; however, Worster Lake, Shadyside Pond, Monroe Lake, Hardy Lake, and Patoka Lake are good spots for beginner anglers.

Elsewhere, recent survey results indicate special regulations are producing larger bass at Big Long Lake in LaGrange County. Big Long Lake has a history of overpopulated bass numbers. Slow growth and stunted fish have caused smaller bass, with few reaching the 14-inch minimum size limit.

Since the implementation of a 12- to 15-inch protected slot limit for largemouth bass, the 365-acre lake has seen positive changes in fish size.

DNR biologists surveyed the lake in 2010 and found the catch rates of bass were roughly five times higher than other natural lakes in the area. More than 1,900 bass were collected during the survey, and only one was over the 14-inch minimum size limit.

“Our objective with the 12- to 15-inch protective slot was to allow anglers to harvest the smaller bass that made up the majority of the population and protect the few larger individuals,” said Matt Horsley, DNR assistant fisheries biologist. “The remaining small bass now have a better opportunity to grow and reach a larger size.”

This spring, biologists sampled the lake again. During the survey, only 400 bass were collected, and catch rates were similar to other lakes in the area. Bass size was far better, with 77 more than 14 inches and 11 fish more than 18 inches. The largest bass captured was a 7-pound, 22.2-inch female.

“Anglers are definitely doing their part in reducing bass numbers, and the results have shown,” Horsley said.

He expects the special regulation will remain in place at Big Long Lake. Other lakes in the northern region are currently being evaluated to see if a slot limit might be a feasible option in reducing bass numbers where needed.

Unwelcome guests

(Please note: Anyone suffering from arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders, might want to skip this part of the column.)

We’ve had the doors open whenever there has been a break in the torrid temperatures, and we have some cracks on the underneath side of the screen doors. The cracks can occasionally give access to unwanted visitors.

Two weeks ago, as I walked to the refrigerator, I thought I saw a shadow of a large butterfly fall down the wall behind the cabinets. Easing over to take a peek, I called for Chris and reinforcements, as I saw I was about to confront a wolf spider.

Wolf spiders are lightning fast afoot, but this one wasn’t a match for the speed of my fly swatter. It wasn’t quite mature, but was pretty impressive, with an overall leg span of a little over 3.5 inches in diameter.

I have seen larger; the biggest I’ve encountered had a leg span of close to 5 inches and was living in our covered sub well. It could best be described as the equivalent of an Indiana tarantula.

My most terrifying and disgusting encounter came a few years ago. I had just taken a bath and went into the bedroom to put on my slippers, next to the bedroom door. Sliding on my slippers, I headed to the couch for a little television.

When I sat down on the couch, I kicked off my slippers only to notice a brownish stain on my big toe. Puzzled, I picked up my right slipper and looked inside only to find a very large and very mashed wolf spider. Apparently, it was caught off guard and crushed by my foot before it could take evasive action or bite me.

This is definitely not my preferred way of killing a wolf spider – I prefer using a large fly swatter with a long handle!

New hunting guide license required

The Indiana General Assembly passed a new law this year (Senate Enrolled Act 363) requiring a Hunting Guide License for individuals providing hunting guide services for money or other goods or services (barter or trade). The license costs $100 a year. The application for the license and monthly report form can be found at wildlife.IN.gov/2371.htm

While hunting guides (also called outfitters) have not been licensed by the Indiana DNR in the past, fishing guides have been licensed for a number of years.

The General Assembly also modified language for penalties as they pertain to guides. Violations include knowingly or intentionally taking an individual on private property to hunt without consent of the landowner. The laws can be found at the same website listed above.

Turning up heat on Skamania steelhead

As summer heats up, so does steelhead action in Lake Michigan and its tributaries. Northwestern Indiana is the place to be, and anglers should act fast to take advantage of the high-flying, challenging steelhead.

"Skamania” steelhead, so named for the hatchery in Washington from which they originate, are a unique species of summer-migrating steelhead trout the DNR stocks in southern Lake Michigan. In most parts of the country, steelhead fishing is done during the fall, winter, and spring months, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

“The beauty of Skamania fishing is that you can do it in shorts and a T-shirt, catching a tan along with your steelhead,” said DNR Lake Michigan biologist Ben Dickinson. “It’s a great way to introduce people to steelhead fishing, especially kids. Pier fishing in particular is family-friendly, since it only requires a medium action rod, a bobber, and widely available bait like night crawlers or cooked, peeled shrimp.”

Trail Creek is the crown jewel of Skamania fishing in Indiana, with more than 100,000 fish stocked annually. Trail Creek also supplies Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan with Skamania steelhead eggs.

"Indiana is the home of Skamania steelhead in the Great Lakes," said Dave Meunick, manager of Bodine State Fish Hatchery. “Our hatchery staff continues to work diligently each summer, collecting adult Skamania steelhead to ensure our hatcheries have an ample supply of eggs for Indiana's stocking programs and for those of our Lake Michigan partners.”

Salt Creek, the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, and the St. Joseph River also have summer and fall returns of Skamania as a result of annual stockings. Once the fish enter the rivers, they become accessible to local anglers until the following spring, when they spawn and migrate back into the lake.

The unique fish provides a nearly year-round steelhead fishing opportunity in Indiana.

"Fishing the Michigan City or Portage Lakefront Park piers in late evening or early morning in June and July is best for shore anglers," said local expert Mike Ryan, who also serves as Indiana’s Great Lakes sport-fishing advisor. “Water temperatures are key – I look for surface water temperatures of under 68 degrees for the best action.”

Anglers must purchase a trout stamp to pursue steelhead. Anglers looking for up-to-date information on the fishing status or where to fish can check the DNR fishing report at wildlife.IN.gov/8270.htm or call the Lake Michigan office at 219-874-6824.

Idle speed restriction on West Lakes Chain

Due to declining water levels, the DNR has modified the No Motorized Watercraft restriction on the West Lakes Chain in Noble County to an Idle Speed restriction. The West Lakes Chain consists of Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Jones lakes.

An idle speed restriction is put into effect when surface water conditions are likely to enter dwelling structures as a result of wake.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.