Outdoors notebook and fishing update

After a four-year investigation, a 77-year-old deer breeder from Cherokee County, Texas, has pleaded guilty to illegally transporting at least 37 whitetail deer into Texas from game farms in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio in violation of state and federal statutes.

Billy Powell has agreed to pay a $1 million fine, to be deposited into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Lacy Act Reward Fund, as well as pay $500,000 in restitution to Texas Parks and Wildlife upon his sentencing date.

Local business:Amid the recession and tough economic times, hats off to the Scornovacco family, who recently opened the Bangs Lake Bait and Tackle Co. in Wauconda.Fishing update:Lake Michigan: I've received a half dozen reports from anglers telling me that coho fishing on the big lake is outstanding, especially on the far north end out of Waukegan. Some of those fishermen have also taken kings in the same area where they've caught cohos. Perch fishing is very spotty.Fox Chain: Walleye fishing is tremendous on the Chain. Good reports coming from Pistakee and Nippersink lakes as well as Channel Lake. Check current areas leading to channels. Muskie activity has picked up on Lake Catherine and Channel Lake.Fox River: Slowly improving with water levels dropping. Bangs Lake: Decent largemouth bass fishing during later afternoon and early morning hours.#376; Mike Jackson can be reached via email at angler88@att.net. His radio program is heard 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC, AM-1240.