Chester Moore, Jr.
The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR —
Delta Waterfowl (Delta) applauds the recent decision by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) to increase the percentage of duck stamp dollars going to the prairie breeding grounds for habitat conservation in 2012.
In a Delta report the conservation organization said the commission's decision calls for an increase of the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF) dollars for the prairie pothole states.
“The majority of increased funding will be used for taking perpetual voluntary wetland and grassland easements, particularly in North Dakota and South Dakota, which attract the vast majority of ducks nesting annually in the United States.”
“This is a historic decision, spearheaded by director Dan Ashe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and he deserves enormous praise for his vision and leadership on this issue,” said John Devney, director of U.S policy for Delta, which for years has publically supported increased funding to the prairie breeding grounds.
“In an era of tight budgets and scare resources, director Ashe followed the science and made the best decision for the future of ducks and duck hunters everywhere. We applaud this move wholeheartedly.”
Delta reported the commission's decision will reallocate upwards of 70 percent (nearly $30 million) of the MBCF to breeding grounds, with roughly $20 million going to North Dakota and South Dakota.
In 2011, the PPR states received $17 million. The MBCF receives revenues from federal duck stamp sales, important duties on guns and ammunition, among several other sources.
“The duck factory is in trouble,” said Devney.
“The wetland and grassland resources here are at greater risk than they have been in decades. Every region in the country has pressing needs, but these are duck stamp dollars, and right now the greatest need for ducks is on the breeding grounds.”
Now onto the report…
North Sabine — Trout and reds are scattered on the north end. The north revetment wall has produced a few trout and has been good for flounder.
South Sabine — The reef continues to produce some trout by anglers drifting with Gulp, Norton Sand Eels and various plastics. Flounder are fair on glow-colored jigs tipped with shrimp along the Louisiana shoreline.
Sabine Pass — The jetties remain good for Spanish mackerel, redfish and black drum. There was one report of trout caught near the Louisiana Boat Cut at the jetties last week but that is the only one. With water temperatures increasing the trout should turn on there. Very few reports of trout and flounder in the channel this week.
Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake) — Hackberry Rod and Gun reports runoff and murky water continues to be an issue far south as the West Cove area but anglers are continuing to bring in good catches of redfish with some trout and flounder mixed in.
Sabine River — Fishing has been slow to fair due to murky water conditions. Redfish are scattered with a few fish caught around the Dupont Outfall Canal. Patches of clear water near the Interstate 10 corridor are producing bass on crankbaits, spinners and worms.
Sam Rayburn — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are fair on chartreuse soft plastic lizards, Senkos, and Brush Hogs. White bass are good on minnows and silver spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs over grass. Bream are fair on nightcrawlers. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait.
Toledo Bend — Holly Park Marina reports largemouths are fair to good in the creeks on darker colored worms and spinners. White bass remain very good on spoons in the river north of the lake. Crappie are moving back out toward deep water on the brushpiles. Catfish are good on noodles and on trotlines baited with cut bait.
LAKE LEVELS
TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 170.14 Was 170.76
RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 163.22 Was: 163.35
B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.57 Was: 82.90
