Wal-Mart to track firearm purchases

Wal-Mart has announced it will now tape its gun sales in the United States and create a computerized log of purchases.

The log will also create a record and alert system that will record when a gun sold at a Wal-Mart is used in a crime. Should the purchaser of that gun later try to buy another gun at Wal-Mart, the system would alert the sales clerk, who could then refuse to make another sale.

The recorded images of gun sales will also be made available to law enforcement as part of an investigation.

And now it appears fishing and related accessories in Wal-Mart may feel the squeeze.

Last month, Wal-Mart reportedly summoned some fishing suppliers to its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. They were told their products and other outdoors merchandise might be on the way out. "Out" as in reduced to seasonal categories or removed entirely.

Like fabrics and other "rural products," the suppliers were told the fishing products may no longer be relevant to the company's long-term goals.

Fishing survey: According to Rob Southwick, rising fuel costs in the United States have failed to put a crimp in anglers' enthusiasm for fishing away from home.

Southwick conducts monthly surveys on fishing and hunting issues, and his latest effort show findings from the survey taken last month with 2,000 anglers that a majority of them (59.4%) said the higher fuel costs would not preclude them from hitting the highways. About 40 percent responded they will stay in their home state.

Local fishing scene

Fox Chain: Crappie action is excellent on the back channels of the Chain, especially Channel Lake; Petite Lake and Pistakee Lake. Walleyes are very active in current areas right off the Route 12 and Grass Lake Road bridges. There has been some pre-spawn largemouth bass activity on Channel Lake as well.

Fox River: The action is in the channels just north of Route 176 for crappie.

Lake Michigan: Some coho action reported on the far south end as well as brown trout activity slowly picking up just over in Indiana. Waukegan anglers taking some browns, too.

Lake Geneva, Wis.: Crappie action just started in force in Fontana and Williams Bay.