IRON MOUNTAIN — A Michigan Department of Natural Resources event Thursday will focus on trail cameras and how to make the best use of them.

The presentation will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern time at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee.

It can also be viewed via Zoom. Link information is available at https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/events/2022/04/28/trail-cam-forum?utm_campaign=wildlife+through+forestry+cameras&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery.

Questions will be accepted and addressed from those in attendance and online.

Speakers for the Wildlife Through Forestry program include Pam Nankervis, U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist; Erin Johnston, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community wildlife biologist; Rich Howell, founder and CEO of Trailcampro, LTD; and Tyler Petroelje, Michigan DNR wildlife research specialist at Marquette.

More information is available by contacting Gary Willis, DNR service forester, at 906-353-6651.

Michigan’s trout season opens Saturday, April 30, and it may be a chilly one. temperatures are expected to fall after this weekend’s slight warmup.

Trout anglers are advised that New Zealand mud snails have been found in inland rivers and streams in the Great Lakes region, posing a risk to native aquatic communities. To prevent the spread of mud snails and other invasive species, the DNR recommends these steps for cleaning boots and waders.

— Stomp and inspect as soon as you leave the water to remove attached debris.

— Brush waders, soles and laces to loosen remaining debris and mud.

— Spray boots and waders thoroughly with a disinfecting agent.

— Rinse after 20 minutes.

— Dry waders thoroughly before next use.

Smelt runs have not yet started, the DNR said. Many areas along the lakeshores of Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan still have ice formations near river mouths. In some locations along Lake Superior, ice anglers were still catching smelt through the ice.

The walleye and northern pike possession season opens Sunday, May 15, in the Upper Peninsula. The possession season for bass in the U.P. begins Saturday, May 28.

The DNR reported this activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Most of the bay had open water. Anglers are waiting for the docks to be put in and the remaining ice to clear out.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers were fishing mostly in river mouths and from piers in search of spring steelhead. Some anglers found success with spinners, yarn flies and spawn sacks. Water was becoming more open in most areas.

South Portage Entry/ Big Traverse Bay: Some anglers were fishing from piers in areas where ice was not along the shore, however these areas are few and far between. Anglers looking to catch fish off Superior may still have some success fishing river mouths while the snow melt and precipitation rises river levels.

Munising Bay: A few anglers reported catches of coho with a few splake as incidental catches. A few boats launched near the Anna as there was some limited open water. Sand Point was not fishable through the ice as there were large cracks and open water starting in the channel. Ice was moving near the public launch and other access points.

Grand Marais: There was some fishing activity on the Sucker River, however still limited as the entire shoreline had ice. River levels were high with strong current. A few pier anglers were doing well for coho and rainbow trout with the rainbows consisting of females and males – averaging around 2 to 6 pounds. The best bait was spawn. A few pier anglers were starting to target whitefish while fishing single eggs with a few limits reported. Pier access was somewhat limited depending on which direction the wind was blowing as there was substantial ice flows which were preventing access. The end of the pier was not accessible.