Fishing buddies landed a 40 inch, 20 pound lake trout on Skaneateles Lake in New York. Trolling in 60 feet of water with diamond spoons, the trout was truly a catch of a lifetime. The buddies split the filets. [SYRACUSE]

Members of Warrior Expeditions are participating in the Walk off the War program by paddling the entire 2,320 miles of the Mississippi River. The four launched on July 20th and expect to complete the trip in mid fall. Amazing what our war heros can accomplish! [PENNLIVE]

Cowans Gap State Park's beach and lake remain closed as the Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to investgate what caused 90 people to fall ill a few weeks ago. Fishing is still permitted but stay out of the water. [HERALDMAILMEDIA]

It has been over 6 weeks since the Miller Chemical plant caused a massive fish kill in the Conewago Creek in Adams County, PA. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission started surveying the stream this week to determine the lasting effects of the contamination on fish populations. [YRD]

Creel Count is a weekly digest of fishing numbers all across the country.

Noah Heck started Kayak Anglers to get anglers engaged in the sport of kayak fishing. The group boast its friendly, helpful, charitable and information sharing pillars. Kayak Anglers also host fishing tournaments across Pennsylvania where anglers can compete for Angler of the Year. Up to 5 chapters now, the organization has 197 members. [PITT POST GAZETTE]

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed all or parts of some 10 rivers in the state to fishing due to drought conditions. The weather is causing high water temperatures that are impacting salmonids and other native fishing species. The closures are aimed at reducing fishing pressure and saving what fish can survive. [SEATTLE TIMES]

Texas billionaire lists impressive 785 acre fly fishing ranch in Colorado. The Walter Family, founders of Houston Oil & Minerals and own Walter Oil & Gas (one of the largest privately held oil companies in America), are listing their self named Table Rock Ranch for $18.5 million. The facility hosts multiple private mountain streams and wildlife filled meadows, not to mention the impressive top of the line lodge with separate private cabins. [HOUSTON CHRON]

Matt Glen took home the title of Master Angler in the 82nd Annual Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo this past weekend in Alabama. The rodeo includes many different fish species categories along with the first ever catch and release shark category. [AL.COM]

Creel Count is a weekly digest of fishing numbers all across the country.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia are using data from 2,977 boat-based recreational anglers to estimate recreational catch rates. Geostatistical techniques model the spatial distribution of catches to give fishery managers better data to make decisions on creel limits and the overall health of particular fisheries. [PHYS.ORG]

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launched its fishing app, FishBoatPA, on April 7th. The app gives you access to fishing laws, license information and fish identification and biology. The app has more than 18,000 downloads. [CITIZENSVOICE.COM]

Pymatuning Reservoir moved up 8 places in the 100 Best Lakes in America list compiled by Bassmasters. The list has been assembled since 2012 and ranks the best bass fishing lakes across all of America. Pymatuning was 71st in 2014. Also making the list was Presque Isle Bay at #25, up 3 spots from 28th in 2014. [BASSMASTERS]

Pothole lakes in Washington State are lower than usual and in some cases drying up completely. The 2015 Wild Goose Bill Days in Wilbur, Washington had to cancel its kids fishing derby because the town’s dam was 80 feet below normal and did not have enough water to support the trout purchased for the event. Unsustainable deep-well irrigation may be to blame and only emphasizes the struggles the west is having with water management in recent years. [SPOKESMAN]

July comes in high anticipation for some Pennsylvania reseidents. July 6th marks the opening of frog and turtle season in the Keystone State. Managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, bullfrogs and northern greem frogs can be caught at a rate of 10 per day while snapper turtle hunters can bag 15 per day. The season runs until October 31st. [MAINLINEMEDIANEWS]