Lake St. Clair Network - Fishing Reports, Tourism, Boating http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html Wed, 22 May 2013 04:53:45 +0000 43200 Manage articles Governor Snyder signs Dredging Assistance Bills http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/governor-snyder-signs-dredging-assistance-bills-r116 LEGISLATIVE VICTORY!
Governor Snyder signs Dredging Assistance Bills

For the last few months, MBIA and our lobbying firm in Lansing, Muchmore Harrington Smalley and Assoc., have been hard at work to establish solutions and funding for the dredging crisis in Michigan for our members and the industry at large.

We're proud to say that our hard work has paid off with the resounding support of the Michigan Legislature and Governor Snyder. A dredging assistance package has been signed by the Governor today!

The package contained 5 bills.

HB 4398 (Price) Watercraft; marinas; dredging material from Great Lakes bottomlands determined to be largely sand; revise permit fee.

HB 4399 (Pscholka) Natural resources; Great Lakes; expedited permit process; allow for emergencies.

HB 4400 (Pettalia) Watercraft; marinas; dredging material from inland lakes and streams determined to be largely sand; revise fee.

SB 233 (Booher) Natural resources; funding; natural resources trust fund; provide appropriations.

SB 252 (Brandenburg) Watercraft; marinas; marina dredging loan origination program.

MBIA Chairman Jim Coburn, Executive Director Nicki Polan and MBIA member Jim Mrozinski of Onekema Marine all attended the signing by the Governor and thanked him for supporting the boating industry.

Public Act 9 provides funding for dredging Michigan's public harbors and Public Act 10 provides for the low interest loan program.

MBIA will quickly reach out to the Banker's Association to find participating lenders in the dredging program and will release this information to our members immediately.

MBIA thanks Governor Snyder, the Legislators and MDNR & MDEQ for this great show of support which will benefit millions of boaters, entire communities and businesses all over the state. We commend these leaders for recognizing the importance of boating and the boating industry to Michigan's heritage and future.

Thank you to all of our members who have lobbied with us and called their Representatives and Senators showing your support. Please also thank your Senators and Representatives for supporting our industry. We appreciate your membership and we share this victory with you!]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 20:06:14 +0000 dd77279f7d325eec933f05b1672f6a1f Nautical Coast Cleanup Seeks Volunteers http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/featured-content/nautical-coast-cleanup-seeks-volunteers-r119 The Nautical Coast Cleanup - one of the signs of spring in St. Clair Shores - returns May 19.

During the 18 years of the all-volunteer event, more than 576 tons of debris has been removed from the shoreline of Lake St. Clair.

This year organizers, which include The St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee, We Are Here Foundation, Jefferson Yacht Club, St. Clair Shores Senior Activity Center and Advanced Aquatics Diving are targeting:

Homeowners can also volunteer to clear the waterfront area in their subdivision

"Volunteers are what made this event the success it has been in the past and it is the volunteers who will make this event a success again this year," Waterfront Environmental Committee Chairman Joe St. John wrote in an email.

Registration is at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Jefferson Yacht Club.

For more information visit the Waterfront Environmental Committee website or call 586-779-8777.

Donations needed

The We Are Here Foundation helps sponsor the Nautical Coast Cleanup through the sale of donated boats. To donate a car or boat, or for additional information, call the We Are Here Foundation at 586-463-9400.

]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 20:05:50 +0000 8597a6cfa74defcbde3047c891d78f90 Take a Friend Out This Safe Boating Week and Sh... http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/featured-content/take-a-friend-out-this-safe-boating-week-and-sh-r118 Six Tips in Less Than Six Minutes


This National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, do something different. Take a friend out boating, sailing and fishing and show them a good time - and how easy it is to keep everyone aboard safe. Giving your guests a short pre-departure talk about important safety gear and tips for safe operation could go a long way in making sure the day stays fun. The following list of six tips from theBoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety takes less than six minutes to share with guests:

1. Most newcomers to boating have no idea how a boat handles once you're out on open water. Explain to your guests where the best/safest places are to sit during operation, how you'll handle wakes, and if your boat is on the small side, show them how a passenger's shifting weight can affect your boat's stability or exposure to waves.

2. With your VHF radio turned on, tell your guests how to call for help on channel 16. If you have a DSC-VHF radio, show them the red mayday button and explain how to activate it.

3. Bring out the life jackets and encourage your new-to-boating guests to wear one. If they are not worn, ensure they are easy to get to, such as under or next to their seat.

4. Point out the location of other important safety gear such as flares and fire extinguishers.

5. Show your guests on a chart where you're going, and let them know you've filed a float plan so others know the boat's whereabouts and when the group should be returning.

6. Let them know what to do if someone falls overboard - having a spotter is essential as is keeping a throwable device, also known as a type IV personal floatation device (PFD), handy at all times.

###
About the BoatUS Foundation:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by the half-million members of BoatUS, it provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. To make a tax-deductible donation to this 501©(3) nonprofit, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation.]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 14:40:40 +0000 c60d060b946d6dd6145dcbad5c4ccf6f “Rendezvous Weekends” - where do you hook up? http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/rendezvous-weekends-where-do-you-hook-up-r115 If you raft-off at Strawberry Island, Poor Man's Beach, Jobbie Nooner, Sugar Island, Cass Lake, or Stony Island, this promotion is for you. Your official call to reunite with your boating comrades at the Detroit Boat Show is here as well as a chance to win a 20 Boat Raft off promotional pack to include: 20 pizzas, 80 soda pops, 10 bags of chips, 40 tickets to the 2013 Boating & Outdoor Festival and 20 BAM T-shirts.

How do you win? Bring your boating raft off buddies and families to the show for a group photo at the BAM Booth either Friday, February 22; Saturday, February 23 or Sunday, February 24 and let us know where you like to hook up and raft off. We will post the picture on our Detroit Boat Show Facebook page and the group photo with the most people wins!]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 14:40:15 +0000 e19347e1c3ca0c0b97de5fb3b690855a DNR Reminds Boaters About Law, Safety Classes http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/featured-content/dnr-reminds-boaters-about-law-safety-classes-r117 The arrival of spring, and start of April, signals another boating season for boaters on Lake St. Clair and other waterways.

With the start of the season, the Michigan Department of Resources reminds those planning to operate a watercraft this year to take a boating safety course.

"Spring is a great time to get your boating safety class in, so that you start the summer boating season with safety requirements fresh in your mind," said boating law administrator Lt. Andrew Turner of the DNR's Law Enforcement Division, said in a release. "We encourage anyone who plans on operating a watercraft in Michigan to take a boating safety course."

There are a variety of classroom and online options available for boaters.

Boating safety requirements in Michigan are as follows according to the DNR:

  • Those born on or after July 1, 1996 (new in 2012, as a result of Public Act 0120), are required to have a boater's safety certificate to operate a motorboat. Those younger than 16 years of age also require adult supervision;
  • Persons younger than 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC;
  • Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and if he or she is accompanied on board by his or her parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian, or he or she is operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from his or her parent or guardian or from a person at least 21 years old who has been designated by the parent or guardian;
  • Those at least 16 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate; and
  • Those born on or before Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.
]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:45:48 +0000 0eec27c419d0fe24e53c90338cdc8bc6 <![CDATA[Macomb County's Blue Economy Gaining Steam,...]]> http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/macomb-countys-blue-economy-gaining-steam-r113
"I don't think anyone in this room would doubt my passion for marketing Macomb County," Hackel said during his 2012 State of the County address Wednesday at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township. "Macomb County is actively engaged in trying to grow this region and I am proud to be your representative to do that."


Macomb is now more 'efficient, economical and ethical'
Praising the new county charter and its creation of a "government that is more efficient, economical and ethical," Hackel noted specifically the $500,000 savings expected to result annually from the consolidation of the probate and circuit courts and restructuring of the Department of Roads.

"We're putting cash back in the budget and reducing operating costs," he said.

This emphasis on consolidation will continue in 2013 with the creation of an integrated communications center to house the Macomb County Sheriff's Office dispatch (911 calls), the Department of Roads Traffic Operations Center, the Information Technology Data Center and the county's Emergency Management & Communications Department.

Read more: Macomb County Set to Build $11 Million Facility to Merge Public Safety Services

"We're taking these departments out of their independent silos and consolidating their shared resources," Hackel said. "(The center) will transform public safety and be open by this time next year."

The $11 million facility will be built inside the Macomb County Department of Roads building in Mount Clemens.


Regional transit is necessity to compete globally
Speaking on a more regional level, Hackel emphasized the need for "intergovernmental relations" and regional transit.

"We're still missing regional transportation. It's a necessity to be competitive globally and we desperately need a plan. Macomb County is on board (with the Regional Transit Authority) and so are our regional partners and governor."

For Hackel, such transit would only enhance Macomb County's position as a center for business, education and recreation.


Blue Economy is gaining steam
Part business, part recreation, Hackel said the Blue Economy Initiative is key component of the county's economic development plan, adding that in 2013, Lake St. Clair will play host to the Bassmaster 2013 Elite Series Lake St. Clair Championship, Aquapalooza, Sprint and Splash, a river canoe and kayak event on the Clinton River and possibly two winter pond hockey classics.

Last summer, Hackel spoke of his vision for lake recreation and tourism during a a stop in New Baltimore.

Farther inland, Freedom Hill Ampitheatre is also set to reopen, hosting Grammy award-winning band Lady Antebellum as the opening act.


Defense, automotive, health care and education all on the rise
On the industrial side, Hackel added his hope that recent increases in investment in the defense sector will transform Macomb into the "arsenal of innovation" in the near future.

In the past year alone, more than $200 million has been invested in Macomb County's defense sector and some $2 billion in automotive, he said.

Recently launching a new business retention program for the county, Hackel shared his plans to work with businesses of all sizes to help them grow while attracting new industries to the county.

This includes health care, which Hackel said has already grown to 44,000 jobs and expects to add another 4,000 by 2015.

Some of these positions could be filled by what will soon be the first class of graduates from Michigan State University's School of Osteopathic Medicine to have all been trained entirely within Macomb County.

"Education is a significant reason people choose to live here, work here and grow businesses here," Hackel added. "40,000 students in any given semester are pursuing higher education in Macomb County."

"Macomb County is a value-added proposition. We have a solid education and economic foundation … I'm proud as heck for Macomb County."




See the full article]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:45:30 +0000 9c3b1830513cc3b8fc4b76635d32e692 55th Annual Detroit Boat Show http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/55th-annual-detroit-boat-show-r114
Show Schedule:


55th Annual Detroit Boat ShowFebruary 16-24, 2013Cobo Center1 Washington Blvd.Detroit, MI 48226Show HoursSaturdays, Friday & Monday: 11am – 9pmTuesday through Thursday: 3pm – 9pm Sundays: 11am – 6pm]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:48:33 +0000 d6ef5f7fa914c19931a55bb262ec879c Lake levels near record low http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/lake-levels-near-record-low-r112 Second in a series on the environmental health of the Lake St. Clair basin.

The water levels of Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair are nearing historic lows.

"We're not at historic lows, but we're close to historic lows," said Lana Pollack, U.S. chair of the International Joint Commission, speaking at the sixth Binational Lake St. Clair Conference, held at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township on Nov. 29 and 30. "There's a 60 percent chance we'll hit it. That's good for phragmites, but not for boating."

On Nov. 30, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Lake Huron stood at 576.2 feet. The all time low for Lake Huron is 576.0 feet, set in March 1964.

"Lake Michigan-Huron is 16 inches lower than its level from last year," the Corps reported. "Over the next month, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are each forecasted to drop 3 inches from their current levels."

Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered by hydrologists to be the same body of water.

Lake St. Clair stood at 572.6 feet on Nov. 30. The all time low for Lake St. Clair was reached in January of 1936 and January of 1926, when the levels bottomed out at 570.5 feet.

"The water levels of Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are each expected to decline 1 inch over the next month," the Corps stated.

There has been a lot of speculation over the last few years about the cause of falling lake levels. Are the falling lake levels caused by climate change? Are forces of nature, including the weather, behind the drops? Or are they caused directly by human influences, such as dredging and diversions?

Residents around the Georgian Bay have blamed the dredging of the shipping channel at the mouth of the St. Clair River for much of the decline in Lake Huron. Others have blamed diversions of water out of the lakes.

"One factor that cannot be ignored is the diversion of more than 340 billion gallons of Great Lakes water each and every year through the Chicago Diversionary and Ship Canal," said U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, who represents the Voice readership area, in a Nov. 1 request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review the diversion, last done in 2009.

Experts at the Lake St. Clair Conference came down on the side of the forces of nature determining the drop, not direct human actions, such as diversions.

The big danger of the Chicago diversion is Asian carp coming in, not water going out, said Pollack.

"The truth of the matter is that diversions add more to the Great Lakes than they remove," said Adam Fox, a water resources planner with USACE.

The Ogoki and Long Lac diversions, which divert water from Hudson Bay into the Great Lakes, pour more water into Lake Superior than the Lake Michigan diversion at Chicago and the New York Barge Canal diversion, located between Lakes Erie and Ontario, take out of the lakes.

"The forces of nature have a much greater impact on the levels of the Great Lakes than human influences," said Fox.

Seasonally driven evaporation plays a particularly key role. The seasonal cycle typically sees snow and ice accumulation in and around the lakes in the winter, increased runoff into the lakes with snowmelt in the spring, increased water temperatures in the summer with the warm sunshine, followed by increased evaporation in the fall due to the warmer water.

"Last year we had a relatively snow-free, mild winter," said Fox.

The lakes were not recharged in the spring because there was little snow to melt. The subsequent drought in mid to late summer hastened the drop in water levels.

"In October, they crashed," Fox said.

Pollack sees climate change, fueled by human activities like gas-powered cars and coal-generated electricity, as the underlying cause of low lake levels.

"We're all dealing with climate change," said Pollack, pointing to everyone from the East Coast victims of Hurricane Sandy to American farmers. "Every one of us is living it."

On the oceans, higher global temperatures mean melting polar ice caps and higher water levels. On the Great Lakes, it's a different story.

Climate change means warmer weather, which means less ice cover on the lakes in the winter, which protects the water from evaporation.

"Less ice, more evaporation," said Pollack.

See the full article]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:17:10 +0000 20d135f0f28185b84a4cf7aa51f29500 Gale Warnings Issued for Lake St. Clair http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/gale-warnings-issued-for-lake-st-clair-r109 Edward Cardenas

The National Weather Service has issued a gale warning for Lake St. Clair, with wind gusts expected to reach 50 knots with wave heights reaching 11 feet.
The National Weather Service has issued a gale warning until 8 p.m. Tuesday for Lake St. Clair.

Winds gusts from the north could reach 50 knots, with wave heights potentially topping out at 11 feet early Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service "highly recommends" inexperienced mariners seek safe harbor, according to the advisory.

"Staying off of the water and moving your vessel out of harm's way are the best defenses when a storm is approaching," Capt. Andrew Sugimoto, chief of the 9th Coast Guard District Incident Management Branch, said in a release.

"It's important that, if you cannot remove your vessel from the area or get it out of the water, you take the necessary precautions to secure additional mooring lines and put out additional anchors. But if it's too late to more or secure your vessel, leave it as it is. Don't risk your safety," he added.

The Coast Guard also shared the following tips for boaters as Hurricane Sandy approaches the Great Lakes:

  • Stay informed: Monitor Hurricane Sandy through local television, radio and Internet. Information can also be obtained through small craft advisories and warnings on channel 16.
  • Secure your vessel: Boat owners are urged to move their vessel to a protected mooring or haul-out location well in advance of the storm.
  • Never stay with your boat: Boats should be stripped of anything that can become loose during the storm.
  • Be cautious of hazardous materials: If you have hazardous materials on your boat, you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to remove or secure them prior to any heavy weather.
  • Stay clear of beaches: Surfers and paddlesport enthusiasts are urged to stay clear of beaches and other waterways until local officials say the water is safe.

Check out the whole article]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:11:13 +0000 8f1d43620bc6bb580df6e80b0dc05c48 Public Boat Docks Approved in New Baltimore http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/public-boat-docks-approved-in-new-baltimore-r106
After waiting for FEMA approval on a public harbor project, City Council official approved the proposal for 10 finger docks allowing 16 boats. The docks will be along Anchor Bay in the so-called old beach area of Walter and Mary Burke Park near the water plant.

Harsens Island-based Tamis Marine Construction is slated to do the work in New Baltimore. The city's engineer is to review the design plans beforehand.

The creation of a public dock aims to lure more visitors to the city's waterfront and nearby businesses in the downtown.

"I think it will help a lot," said Larry Gingas who obtained permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the project.

Over the years, many people have mentioned they wanted to visit New Baltimore by water but had no place for their boats.

"There's just is nowhere to do this," Gingas said.

He says the dock project will start as soon as next week and take about three weeks to finish.

City Police Chief Tim Wiley and Planning and Economic Development Director Judy Sproat worked together to secure the approximate $240,000 Port Authority grant for the boat slips and a 24-foot police patrol boat. The reserve unit and police volunteers are slated to staff the patrol boat.

The money will also cover water-related emergency training and boat maintenance. New Baltimore is to match the grant with about $20,000 from the Walter and Mary Burke estate donation to city recreation, city officials have said.

The docks will be adjacent to a kayak rental business at the beach.

Check out the whole article]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:02:41 +0000 c9f95a0a5af052bffce5c89917335f67 Tigers best Yankees en route to the World Series http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/tigers-best-yankees-en-route-to-the-world-series-r107 Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers on their American League Championship and their 11th entry to the World Series in franchise history. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:28:07 +0000 e58cc5ca94270acaceed13bc82dfedf7 Who pulled the plug on Lake Huron? http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/who-pulled-the-plug-on-lake-huron-r110 Nov 4, 2012

On a mild day last month, I took a barefoot stroll on the near-shore sandbar at Lakeside Beach.

While I chose to make a splash here and there, I could have ambled along without getting my feet wet. With waves no higher than the pen in my pocket, the sandbar was dry land.

Had I attempted the same walk in October 1986, I would have been swimming. The lake level today is nearly six feet lower than it was 26 years ago.

Hey, who pulled the plug on Lake Huron?

«« »»

WHAT IS BEHIND the diminishing levels? Is this just nature being nature, or is human manipulation involved?

Answering such questions is difficult, even for the scientists who devote their careers to studying the Great Lakes. Convincing the rest of us to accept the answers is perhaps even more challenging.

......


THE ARMY AND THE IJC also have examined the question of whether dredging on the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair explains why boat docks have been left high and dry on the islands of the Georgian Bay.

Read the full story here]]> Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:04:23 +0000 2cbca44843a864533ec05b321ae1f9d1 Viral disease has killed 4,217 deer in 24 counties http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/viral-disease-has-killed-4217-deer-in-24-counties-r104 LANSING (AP) -- Authorities in Michigan say an insect-spread deer disease has spread to at least 24 counties.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University announced new figures Monday on confirmed cases of the illness.

It's called epizootic hemorrhagic disease and is untreatable. The virus causes extensive internal bleeding and is transmitted by a type of biting fly called a midge.

The disease is on the rise nationwide because of hot, dry weather.

The DNR and Michigan State say they've confirmed 4,217 deer deaths in 24 counties. They say they expect that farmers harvesting crops and hunters taking to the field will find more dead deer.

Check out the full article]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:05:02 +0000 4da04049a062f5adfe81b67dd755cecc Fire Ravages Boats at Anchor Bay Marina http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/fire-ravages-boats-at-anchor-bay-marina-r108
By 2:40 p.m. fire crews had contained the blaze that is believed to have started when someone tried to shrink-wrap their vessel on the Anchor Bay Marina at Jefferson and Riverpoint. The torch used in the heating process ignited the flames that spread to other vessels. No one was injured.

"Upon arrival we had three boats burning. We contained it. We did have damage to a fourth boat," township fire Capt. Richard Schroeder said at the scene.

The boats stretch more than 30 feet and the total amount of damage is not immediately known.

"We did have fuel leakage from the main boat that was on fire. I have contacted the Coast Guard to come out to assist with determining whether any of the fuel got out to the lake," he said of Lake St. Clair.

Crews fought the blaze for more than an hour, utilizing foam from Selfridge Air National Base to smother fuel at the scene. Fiberglass and gasoline from the boats could make a fire "a disaster waiting to happen," Schroeder said, noting the potential for an explosion.

After the fire was out, emergency crews remained on the scene while motorists on Jefferson slowly drove by to see the charred remains of the barge firefighters stood upon.

Chesterfield Township resident Billy Currier lives across Jefferson from the marina. He walked there after seeing flames.

"I just know I heard somebody yelling," he said. "I was in my front yard and I just spun around."

Fire officials said they are continuing to investigate, but believe the fire was accidental. They said the person who was shrink-wrapping the boat is a private owner and not a marina employee.

"I don't believe anything was done illegally," Schroeder said.

Related Topics: Anchor Bay Marina, Chesterfield Township, Coast Guard, Fire, Jefferson, Lake St. Clair, and Selfridge

Source article]]> Sun, 21 Oct 2012 20:41:12 +0000 b9d487a30398d42ecff55c228ed5652b Michigan show reports boost in attendance http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/boating-articles/michigan-show-reports-boost-in-attendance-r103 Michigan show reports boost in attendance

The Boating & Outdoor Festival, held Sept. 20-23 at Lake St. Clair Metropark, saw a 5 percent boost in attendance, with 9,838 visitors, according to organizers.

Show producer Michigan Boating Industries Association also said the number of exhibitors and the overall size of the show also increased from 2012, with space sales up more than 14 percent, featuring more boats across all categories.

"The aisles were full both Saturday and Sunday, and there were lots of people on boats," show manager John Ropp said in a statement. "We lucked out with the weather. While low water was an initial concern, it wasn't impairing. Even the sailboats made it easily into the marina."


The show featured nearly 300 boats ranging from 8 to 48 feet and more than 125 exhibitors.

"We saw quite a few 'sold' signs and heard positive sales feedback from everyone we talked to at the show, which represents a very wide range of boat types and sizes," the MBIA's Nicki Polan said in a statement.

The show featured cruisers as large as 48 feet, runabouts, pontoon boats, daysailers, kayaks, center-console fishing boats, keeled sailboats as large as 40 feet, ski and wakeboard boats, outboards, aluminum fishing boats, personal watercraft and performance boats.

Check out the full article



]]> Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:46:10 +0000 aace49c7d80767cffec0e513ae886df0 DNR: Record breaking sucker fish caught in the ... http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/dnr-record-breaking-sucker-fish-caught-in-the-r105 It's big and ugly -- and it's a state record.

At 37-and-a-half pounds and just over 39 inches long, the Black Buffalo sucker Bryan DeGoede shot with an arrow in the Kalamazoo River in Allegan is the heaviest taken from state waters.

MLive.com reports Monday that DeGoede caught the game fish just before midnight on Sept. 5 below the Allegan Dam in West Michigan.

The fish bested the previous record set May 19, 2004, on the Grand River in Ottawa County.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources qualifies state records by weight only.

Check out the full article from the source

]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:26:24 +0000 af21d0c97db2e27e13572cbf59eb343d NEW: Michigan Sports Forum http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/new-michigan-sports-forum-r93
Visit http://www.lakestcla...2-local-sports/ and start the conversation! ]]> Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:06:27 +0000 bd686fd640be98efaae0091fa301e613 9/11 - 11 years later http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/911-11-years-later-r99 September 11, 2001
Eleven years ago, a Tuesday not unlike today, beautiful bright skies with just a hint of fall in the air. It feels like forever ago and it feels like yesterday all at the same time.

We all remember what we were doing and where we were and we all choose to look forward or look back. We likely all revisit the events in our minds from time to time, and especially so on the anniversaries like today. For some it might be just another Tuesday, but most will Never Forget. Especially for the families and friends of the 2,600-plus civilians who went to work that day and never came home.

<b>
For the first responders who ran into the fire, 343 New York City firefighters, 23 New York City police officers, 37 Port Authority police and 15 emergency medical technicians.

For the thousands who combed the ruins of the World Trade Center site, endangering their health and sanity.

For the 2,893 coalition soldiers — 2,097 of them American — who have died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the NATO operation launched against al-Qaida safe havens in Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

For the 4,485 U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq War, fought in part on the claim that it was a necessary front in the war on terror.

For the countless civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan who became "collateral damage."

Eleven years of vigilance have bought us relative peace at home — no terrorist has succeeded in attacking the homeland, though not for lack of trying. But the costs have been steep: blood, treasure and innocence lost. We bent, but did not break.

Just another Tuesday? Not by a longshot.
</b>


Share your thoughts about that day or today if you like.]]> Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:35:57 +0000 84d9ee44e457ddef7f2c4f25dc8fa865 <![CDATA[Boating & Outdoor Festival features fun for...]]> http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/boating-outdoor-festival-features-fun-for-r100 Boating & Outdoor Festival features fun for the whole family!



Livonia, Mich., August 1, 2012 – The third annual Boating & Outdoor Festival at Lake St. Clair Metropark, coming September 20-23, is more than just a boat show, with outdoor recreation exhibits, live music entertainment, specialty areas and much more!
Features hundreds of boats for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding and cruising – plus paddle boats, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables from 8 – 50 ft in length, it is a great place to shop for a boat. Specialty Areas include the Fishing Village, Waterfront Living Area, and Fine Art Walk - something for every taste and interest!
Featuring Flyboard demos. You won't want to miss this – in-fact you might want to try it yourself! The new single-person Flyboard apparatus from Zapata Racing uses water jets to propel its rider both under water and into the air! Brandon Robinson, the top Flyboarder in the U.S. will not disappoint as he performs. Thursday: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; Friday: 1pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm; Saturday: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; Sunday: 12pm, 2pm & 4pm. The public is welcome to demo the Flyboards. Standup Paddle Board demos and Blokart demos are also available to the public.
Come see the exciting motorcycle stunt show by the Smage Brothers from NBC's hit TV show America's Got Talent! Phil and Pat Smage are The Smage Bros., two motorcycle-riding brothers from a farm in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This riding duo developed their love of motorcycles from their parents, who first met at a racetrack. Growing up, the brothers were taught by their parents how to ride. Finding they had both similar talents and a love for performing, the two formed the trick-riding group, The Smage Bros. perform: Friday: 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; Saturday: 2pm, 4pm & 6pm; Sunday: 1pm & 3pm
Live music will entertain patrons at the fun Tiki Bar located centrally in the Festival and the First Annual "Rock the Boat Bikini Contest" will happen on Sunday at 4pm the Broadcast Center.
Kids will also have their own Kids Zone where they can meet Patrick Star from SpongeBob Squarepants, jump in bouncy houses and walk and roll in the very popular Waterwalkerz. Remote control boats, both power and sai,l will entertain both young and old.
A special Discover Boating Center will help those interested in learning more about boating find the right boat at the right price.
For more a full music line-up, schedules, and a full list of up-to-date show promotions, visit www.BoatingandOutdoorFest.com.
Discount tickets are available at BoatingandOutdoorFest.com. Regular admission is $9 for adults, children 12 and under free with an adult. Hours: Thursday & Friday: Noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Parking is $5 at the Lake St. Clair Metropark or free to those with a park sticker. General park information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.
The Boating & Outdoor Festival is owned and produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA), the voice of boating in Michigan. Revenue generated for this event is returned back to fund boater's interests via MBIA's programs and services. MBIA is a non-profit Association dedicated to the advancement, protection and promotion of the recreational boating industry in Michigan, representing nearly 300 marine businesses. The boating industry in Michigan represents a $3.9 billion industry, with more than 758 marinas, 460 marine dealers and more than 51,000 jobs. For more information go to www.mbia.org.
For more information visit BoatingandOutdoorFest.com or call 734.261.0123.
The Boating & Outdoor Festival is sponsored by RAM Trucks, Official truck of the Boating & Outdoor Festival and Great Lakes Scuttlebutt, Official publication of the Boating & Outdoor Festival.


For Immediate Release: Contact: <b style="font-weight: normal; "><br class="kix-line-break">Michigan Boating Industries Association</b>Nicki Polan, Dir. Of Communications<br class="kix-line-break">npolan@mbia.org, 734.261.0123 ext. 204]]> Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:05:10 +0000 1e6e0a04d20f50967c64dac2d639a577 Lake St. Clair insulated from declining lake le... http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/page/index.html/_/news/lake-st-clair-insulated-from-declining-lake-le-r102
Although by February 2013 the corps is predicting water levels in Lake St. Clair to be at about 572.8 feet, which is about 6.5 feet below the historical average of the lake. Chief Hydrologist in the corps' Detroit office Keith Kompoltowicz said this lake bounces back much easier from low water levels. Other lakes in the Great Lakes basin, particularly Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, do not feel the effects of a heavy rain or two like Lake St. Clair does because of their depth and size.


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