Lake Michigan trout and salmon fishing has been outstanding, and more in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report

Lake Michigan trout and salmon fishing has been outstanding this summer.

I spoke with a few people this past week, and they are all doing very well on the big pond.

Many limit catches have been coming into cleaning stations in both Manitowoc and Two Rivers.

For the past month or more, fishing in 70 to 90 feet of water has been really good.

Spoons in a variety of colors and sizes all have been good.

Rick and I have also been running lots of glow spoons, and they, too, have been hot.

Read last week's column: Manitowoc Salmon Derby winners and biggest fish, plus more news in the latest outdoors report

‘Scoping the Great Outdoors’ takes first in statewide contest

This reporter, Bob Schuh, took first place in the Local Outdoor Column category of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest for the “Scoping the Great Outdoors” weekly column.

My winning column entries focused on a Lake Erie fishing trip, sturgeon spawning and Mishicot High School trap shooters earning a trip to nationals.

Special thanks to Herald Times Reporter Editor Brandon Reid, who nominated HTR staff for their content.

Overall in the contest, the paper earned 11 awards, which were given out March 16 in Madison.

The HTR competed in Division B with other newspapers with circulation of 9,999 or less. The 2023 contest received 2,144 entries from 102 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2023, and were judged by members of the Kentucky Press Association.

Just shy of 5,000 people are in area sporting clubs

Manitowoc County Fish and Game Protective Association has completed a member audit designed to measure the current level of involvement in the 24 sporting organizations that make up the group.

This work is part of the Manitowoc County Conservation Study that was completed by the group earlier this year.

The audit revealed just shy of 5,000 area members are in the clubs, which have worked together for more than 115 years.

While the membership is impressive, results indicate membership is down notably from peak membership in the past 10 years.

Clubs also reported struggles in attracting youth, replacing leadership and finding needed volunteers.

The numbers show the strength of the conservation voice in Manitowoc County. Manitowoc County Fish and Game works to promote and protect the rights and resources of sporting men and women in the county through a variety of projects and education programming. It supports youth programs and events to get young people involved in the outdoors. This includes things like hunter education programming, youth shoots, sponsoring shooting and fishing clubs in area high schools, and a variety of take-a-kid-fishing programs.

Attracting youth to the clubs has been identified as the top goal for the organization as its Development Committee provides guidance and programming for the future, a news release said. They will also work to better inform the community and leaders about the strong contributions these organizations make to the area.

The group will be working on identifying specific projects to help retain and build membership so these organizations will continue their work, which has been a key factor in delivering a high-quality outdoor experience in Manitowoc County. This includes maintaining piers at area lakes and sponsoring lake studies and stocking programs around the area.

For information about programs and the recent study, go to mantyfg.org or contact Dean Halverson, Development Committee chairman, at mantyfg071@gmail.com .

Woodland Dunes presents ‘The Pollinator and Native Plant Connection’

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve , 3000 Hawthorne Ave., Two Rivers, will present “The Pollinator and Native Plant Connection” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 30. Admission will be a sliding-scale suggested donation of $1-$10.

Ever wonder how and why pollinators and native plants depend on each other? They’ve evolved together, and humans and other animals rely heavily on pollinators for food. Pollinators and their caterpillars carry a heavy load in the cycle of life. Learn how it all fits together and why their continued survival is so important.

This program will be led by Annette Weissbach, a northeastern Wisconsin master gardener and member of the Wild Ones Green Bay Chapter. She also spent 30 years working as a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hydrogeologist.

The program will start with an indoor presentation and the group will enjoy a short walk outside, weather permitting. To register, email Jess at jessicaj@woodlanddunes.org or call 920-793-4007.

More Bob Schuh: Click here for more 'Scoping the Great Outdoors' columns by Bob Schuh

Reedsville club’s Youth Trap Steak Fry coming in September

Reedsville Sportsman Club will hold its Youth Trap Steak Fry Sept. 14. Serving will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

Cost is $30 per person and includes a 16-ounce ribeye steak or chicken breast, baked potato, salad bar and dessert.

Order tickets early, as only prepaid tickets will be guaranteed a steak.

Proceeds will be used for the club’s youth activities.

For more information or to order tickets, contact Gerald Fischer at 920-901-3907.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.

Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. He can be reached at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net .

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Lake Michigan trout and salmon fishing has been outstanding, and more in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report