No-wake restriction lifted on Fox Chain

The flood waters have slowly receded on the Fox Chain.

Even though some homeowners in Antioch and other towns around the Chain are taking stock of their flood-damaged residences and properties, the no-wake restriction on the water has been lifted.

Gulp:I presume one should be careful before drinking water from a host of different Minnesota lakes.The Outdoor Press Room reports on some startling findings.The results of a report released Monday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) indicates that traces of man-made chemicals including DEET, cocaine, synthetic estrogen, antibiotics and antidepressants were found in 50 lakes chosen at random across the state. The insect repellent DEET was found in 76 percent of the lakes, and cocaine, in a finding that stunned the researchers, was found in 32 percent.Above the law:It seems to me that if you can#146;t trust a law enforcement type, then who fills the void, especially when it comes to the outdoors and wildlife?Travis McKay, a park ranger at the Trinidad Lake State Park in Colorado who was cited in October for poaching a trophy mule deer after hunting hours while using artificial light, has been fined and demoted #151; but not fired #151; by the Parks and Wildlife Department. PW Director Rick Calbes said this week he believes the punishment was adequate, though he acknowledged there were those in the department who disagree.Spring into action:Walleye angling has dramatically picked up on the Fox Chain. Look to current areas around bridges and channel mouths. Elsewhere:Delavan Lake: Guide Spence Petros has put his clients on to largemouth bass as well as some very decent panfish.Lake Michigan: Salmon chasers are taking their share of coho right off the Fullerton rocks in Chicago. Capt. Bob Jenkins (Challenger Fishing Charters) continues to work out of Waukegan and reports excellent salmon and trout fishing.Ÿ Mike Jackson can be reached via email at angler88@comcast.net