Mike Jackson's outdoors notes

Even though we don't have wolves roaming the back roads in our state, that doesn't mean we should be ignorant of what's happening with that predator in other areas.

Conservation organizations are urging Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Joe Maurier to stick with science in determining adequate populations of gray wolves, rather than negotiating with environmental and animal-rights groups to allow surplus populations.

Montana FWP is currently negotiating a settlement with the 13 groups who filed a lawsuit to keep gray wolves federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. And it appears federal officials have been listening.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register to reinstate the regulatory protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in most of the Northern Rocky Mountains (NRM). This administrative procedure is a restatement in regulation in order to comply with the District of Montana court order dated Aug. 5, 2010.

South American retreat: For some reason I didn't publish the web address of the Chilean lodge I went to this year. The column appeared several weeks ago. Here are the two contact pages: www.anglingescapes.com and www.cantodelluva.com

Radio alert: Be sure to catch my radio show this Sunday morning because you will hear some great information about Indiana muskie fishing from guide Vince Weirick.

Fishing report

Fox Chain: Speaking of muskies, this is a hot spot right now, especially the two most northern lakes, Channel Lake and Lake Catherine. Live bait users and trollers are taking fish in fairly shallow water. Work sub-surface lures right over the weed tops. Walleye action on Petite Lake good, white white bass and crappie activity continues to improve on Channel and Fox Lakes.

Lake Michigan: A fresh coho and kings are being taken off Waukegan Harbor, while the action has slowed somewhat out of Northpoint.

Bangs Lake: There's been a decent walleye bite during evening hours despite the high winds. Minnows and crawlers appears to be the hot live bait now.

Mike Jackson can be reached by e-mail at angler88@att.net. His radio program is heard from 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC, AM-1240.