Higher gas prices having impact on outdoor activities

It all depends as to how badly outdoorsmen want to enjoy the outdoors, be it time on the water or in the field.

Gas prices will most definitely impact fishing and hunting participation, according to Rob Southwick.

His regular polls tapping in to outdoors-related participants show a definite trend.

In his recent polling effort dealing with 2,481 sportsmen and women conducted by AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com in June, more than half of all anglers and 40 percent of hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and boat use. The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not hinder their outdoor activity or were not sure of the impacts.

"We've seen in past research that rising gasoline prices depress fishing license sales in many areas, but the recent increases in fuel prices are unprecedented," Southwick said. "Many anglers and hunters gradually accept higher prices, and they will return and participate as they have before.

"However, until the effects of higher fuel prices can be moderated via higher-efficiency engines and other solutions, we may lose some hunters and anglers completely."

Perch bulletin: Perch angling on Lake Michigan is open again. The season restarted Wednesday after a July hiatus ordered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. If in-shore water remains warm, you may have to go some distances to find the schools, maybe as deep as 80 feet.

In the meantime, the king fishing has greatly improved with big fish being taken off of Winthrop Harbor. Steelhead and lake trout action improved out of Chicago ports.

Fox Chain: Steady muskie action on Lake Catherine, Channel Lake as well as some surprises on Pistakee Lake. Walleye activity slightly down, but the panfish action on Channel Lake is outstanding, especially on weed edges.

Fox River: Boaters working just below the McHenry Dam stumbled on to some very good white bass activity in 8 feet.