Information on the native species in your marine environment

Sea Lampreys In Our Great Lakes

Sea Lampreys invaded our pristine Great Lakes in the late 1800s as our country developed a series of canals to link the shipping lanes in all the Great Lakes.  The first sighting was in 1835 in Lake Ontario.  By the mid-1930s they made their way to the upper Great Lakes.   There are 5 distinct species of sea lampreys in our waters today, 4 are native to our waters but the sea lamprey is a true invader.  Sometimes misidentified as eels they [...]

By |2019-03-14T16:51:41+00:00March 14th, 2019|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on Sea Lampreys In Our Great Lakes

This Is For The Birds! Best Bird Deterrents

Birds are a great part of lake living, they provide something to watch, get you closer to nature and if you watch close enough you might even see the different personalities of the waterfowl in your area.  That being said one inescapable part of birds is their constant droppings.  Not only are they off-putting, can carry dangerous bacteria but they are just plain gross!  They can also do a lot of damage to canopy covers and make your whole lift and [...]

By |2019-02-25T18:27:23+00:00February 25th, 2019|Boat Lifts, Canopies and Covers, Docks, Environment, Maintenance, New Products, News|Comments Off on This Is For The Birds! Best Bird Deterrents

Ice Fishing Tips, Tricks & Safety

Ice fishing is a tradition in many northern states of the United States.  With the robust amount of natural inland lakes and cold weather during the winters we often get many inches of ice on lakes allowing for all kinds of fisherman to enjoy the sport all year long.  People build little ice towns out on the ice, shanties with heaters and places to escape the wind while you fish through a small hole in the ice at your feet.  [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:46:18+00:00January 22nd, 2019|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, New Products, News|Comments Off on Ice Fishing Tips, Tricks & Safety

PFAS: Chemicals In Our Water

If you live in Michigan and have listened to the news lately, it is likely that you have heard about the various instances of PFAS contamination in our water.  With PFAS showing up in at 30 different sites at affecting 15 different communities.  PFAS is an extremely dangerous chemical to humans and wild life that lingers in the environment for so long they are referred to as "forever chemicals."  It has the ability to build up at the surface of the [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:46:50+00:00December 18th, 2018|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on PFAS: Chemicals In Our Water

Birds of the Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes Region has one of the most diverse and beautiful collection of waterfowl in North America.  With 3000 miles of coast line in Michigan, dozens of species, various mating and breeding habits as well as migration routes there are plenty of opportunists to spot these birds all year round.  This collection of birds attracts bird watchers, casual viewers and hunters a like every year. Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, this is the primary law protecting [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:46:59+00:00December 17th, 2018|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on Birds of the Great Lakes Region

An Itchy Situation: Swimmers Itch

If you have spent a lot of time in the water throughout your life then you have probably encountered swimmers itch.  Swimmers itch is a common problem that can affect anybody that enters the water where the flatworm's desired hosts reside in high numbers.  Flatworms are small creatures that mistakenly burrow into your skin and then die, causing the itchy red bumps that appear on our skin.  Flatworms are a natural part of the marine environment however can be a nuisance [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:47:10+00:00December 13th, 2018|Environment, News|Comments Off on An Itchy Situation: Swimmers Itch

The Dangers of Swimming in Water Contaminated with E. Coli

E. Coli is a problem for many lakes and beach goers every summer.  The bacteria can run off during large storms down into the rivers and then flow into the lakes, contaminating the surrounding beaches.  E. Coli can often be a warning sign that other, even more dangerous kinds of bacteria may be in the water such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery.  This is why local communities are very active in shutting down beaches for the public's safety at the first [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:47:17+00:00December 13th, 2018|Environment, News|Comments Off on The Dangers of Swimming in Water Contaminated with E. Coli

Fishing Requirements In Michigan

Fishing has long been a cherished pastime in Michigan and all of the surrounding Great Lakes states. With over 11,000 different lakes in Michigan alone.  Fishing is a great source of fun and adventure for the experienced or junior sportsman; with that in mind here are some rules, procedures and laws that everyone looking to fish michigan's waters should be aware of.  The first thing the sportsman must do is purchase a valid fishing license from a local license retailer or [...]

By |2019-03-12T19:47:43+00:00December 12th, 2018|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on Fishing Requirements In Michigan

The Invasive Dilemma in the Great Lakes

If you live anywhere near any of the Great lakes chances are you have at least heard of the problem of invasive species, such as zebra muscles or more recently the Ongoing Asian Carp Drama.  The main concern regarding the movement of the carp, more than the zebra muscle, centers on their tendency to dominate and push out indigenous species in the lakes and rivers. Effectively this decimates the ecological and economic basis of these waterways, potentially permanently altering the [...]

By |2018-12-17T18:23:19+00:00April 22nd, 2013|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on The Invasive Dilemma in the Great Lakes

The Ongoing Asian Carp Drama

Over the last few years in every community around the Great Lakes there has been talk of an invader.  At first this talk was only a rumor, a subtle whispering of a possibility.  This invader, from the east, arrived from the south in the 1970’s and has steadily moved north, edging ever closer to the Great Lakes Basin.  This invader is tenacious in its movement, veracious in its appetite, and, once established in an area, “virtually impossible to eradicate”.  The name [...]

By |2018-12-17T18:23:26+00:00April 3rd, 2013|Environment, Laws, Safety and Regulations, News|Comments Off on The Ongoing Asian Carp Drama
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