BALDWIN — A Northern Michigan bait shop is reminding people not to fish for trout in these high temperatures, protecting a valuable resource.
John Karakashian, co-owner of Baldwin Bait & Tackle said they offer guided fly-fishing trips but cancelled the ones on the schedule today.
Now they are trying to get the word out about waiting a few days to fish for trout until the water is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
He said being a cold-water species, trout can die, even with proper catch and release techniques.
“It may not be as equivalent to us running a 10-K in this temperature right now. But it’s exhausting. It takes a lot out of them. The lactic acid builds up in their system, and it can be fatal for the fish that you might get them in as fast as possible and think they’re okay. Get them off the hook, revive them, let them go. And even though they took off, hours later, they might not make it,” said Karakashian.
He said they are trying to be good stewards of the earth and protect a valuable resource in Northern Michigan that their industry relies on for survival.
He also said you can test the waters yourself with a simple kitchen thermometer, or for more info on local water temperatures and trout on the Pere Marquette River, you can find information on the bait shop’s website.