Located off U.S. 2 within the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, the Pocket Park features a fishing pond that is stocked with bluegill for catch-and-release fishing, archery and pellet gun ranges, a fire tower, wildflower gardens and an indoor classroom space. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — As the Independence Day holiday weekend approaches, boaters are reminded that Operation Dry Water is slated for July 3-5.

It’s part of a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents. Law enforcement agencies nationwide participate in the annual heightened awareness and enforcement weekend that’s held around the July Fourth holiday.

In Michigan, operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above is illegal – the same as when operating a vehicle on the road. Boating under the influence is illegal in Wisconsin as well.

Boating under the influence laws apply to both alcohol and drugs.

During Operation Dry Water, conservation officers will conduct boating under the influence patrols and educate the public on the dangers of impaired boating.

In 2025, Operation Dry Water saw participation from more than 7,311 officers representing 451 local, state and federal agencies nationwide. Over the three-day weekend, officers made contact with 87,830 vessels and 232,694 boaters, resulting in 501 boating under the influence arrests and 34,545 citations and warnings for safety-related violations.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources needs volunteers to mentor youth in outdoor recreation activities at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

Mentors are needed to help staff the DNR’s Pocket Park Aug. 17-23. Volunteer activities include helping kids catch and release bluegills in the U.P.-shaped pond and shoot pellet guns or a bow and arrow, staffing the fire tower and greeting visitors.

“Most folks who volunteer at the Pocket Park find it to be a very rewarding experience, with many returning to offer their help again this year,” said Grace Charles, the lead interpreter at the Pocket Park. “The park attracts big crowds, which means we have a lot of available shifts for volunteers to fill.”

Businesses and organizations, or clubs and groups, may wish to sponsor shifts during the fair by having their employees or members volunteer for shifts. Recognition of the group or business will be prominently displayed and announced.

Volunteer training for all activities is provided.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old (unless under preapproved circumstances) and pass a background check. A meal and T-shirt will be provided.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Grace Charles at DNR-UP-PocketPark@Michigan.gov or go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444ACAE2DA2FDC43-64582977-upper#/ to sign up to volunteer.

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Annual drawing results for Michigan’s bear and elk seasons are now available at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453.

This year, up to 6,278 bear licenses and 200 elk licenses will be issued.

Digital kill tags are now available for bear season, offering a convenient alternative to traditional paper tags, the DNR said.

Digital tags can only be accessed through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App. Traditional paper licenses and kill tags also remain available statewide.

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Anglers fishing the lower Menominee River at Marinette, Wis., were getting several sheepshead during the day and a few walleyes trolling minnow baits and crawler harnesses, according to the Wisconsin DNR. Best catches for walleyes were being taken at night upstream around Stephenson Island.

In the bay, both spoons and flasher-fly combos were working for salmon. The occasional brown trout was also caught. Water temps were still rather cold. No real defined temperature break was set up yet in the bay. Surface temps were in the low 60s with 50-degree water being not far below the surface, the DNR said.

The Michigan DNR reported this U.P. activity:

Marquette: The coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead bite slowed down but remained productive for late June. Anglers reported finding fish in 30 to 80 feet of water while trolling from White Rocks toward Little Presque Isle.

More lake trout anglers also began finding success while jigging and trolling in deeper water and around White Rocks toward Granite Rock, typically in 120 to 200 feet of water. Some nice-sized lean lake trout were reported during the week.

Munising: Boat anglers trolling the bay and around Grand Island picked reported catching a few Chinook salmon and coho salmon, along with a few splake. Anglers trolling and jigging for lake trout also had good success.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported good numbers of coho salmon being caught while trolling stickbaits, spoons, and flasher-fly combinations in the upper portion of the water column. Anglers also caught chinook salmon, brown trout, and rainbow trout while trolling, although in smaller numbers. Anglers reported a slow bite while jigging for whitefish. Those targeting lake trout found success while trolling and jigging both natural and artificial presentations in 50 to 150 feet of water.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling near structure reported fair to good numbers of lake trout and a few coho salmon while using spoons and flasher-fly combinations. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported a fair bite while using natural and artificial baits, with most fish being caught between 120 and 160 feet of water.

Ontonagon River: Walleye were caught in low to fair numbers. Species such as yellow perch and rock bass were also reported in low numbers by some anglers. It appeared that the most successful parties utilized a combination of trolling and jigging to find fish. Shore and dock anglers reported catches of yellow perch, rock bass, and walleye in low numbers.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Catches were primarily made up of lake trout in fair numbers, while coho salmon and steelhead were reported in lower numbers. Trolling continued to produce the best yields for boat anglers.

Black River Harbor: Boat anglers reported catches of lake trout and coho salmon in low to fair numbers while trolling.

Manistique: Anglers reported good fishing for lake trout. They found success using spoons, as well as buoyant, winged spinning lures. Salmon anglers trolled spoons and flasher-fly combinations, with steelhead being a welcome and common bycatch.