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LANSING--Based on public comment from anglers and interest groups during the past month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made two additional changes to the proposed Inland Trout Regulations package.
DNR Fisheries Division biologists have recommended the package include additional protection for brown trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon in Type IV rivers from October 1 through the Friday before the last Saturday in April. Originally, the DNR had proposed more liberal regulations for brown trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon in Type IV rivers.
Although harvest of brown trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon will be illegal, anglers still will be allowed to fish in Type IV rivers during this period. Also, harvest of rainbow trout (including steelhead), chinook, coho and pink salmon will be allowed on a year-round basis.
The second recommendation is for no change to existing regulations for the 14.5-mile portion of the Au Sable River below Mio Dam. The package originally included this stretch of river in the Type VI category, which reduced current size limits. In lieu of being placed into one of the seven existing Types, this area will be listed on an interim basis as an exception in the proposal until ongoing research studies have been completed.
The Inland Trout Regulations package, released on April 5, 1999, recommends major changes to trout fishing regulations on inland lakes and streams. The DNR conducted more than 40 public meetings throughout the state, and biologists in July recommended changes to the original proposal.
"The first set of changes in July were based on input we received from anglers statewide, and we believe that input improved the package," said Kelley Smith, Fisheries Division Chief. "The latest additions make the package even stronger."
The DNR received public comments on the modified proposal, including phone calls, letters and e-mail. In August, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) took testimony from various anglers and interest groups for the first time.
"The input we received from anglers in July, combined with the comments and information we received at the Commission meeting, were legitimate and well thought-out," said Smith. "This led to a re-examination of the outstanding issues by Fisheries Division personnel working on the package, and I’m confident the proposed changes will further improve the overall package, maintain the scientific integrity of the proposal and meet the desires of the angling public".
Smith said "considerable public interest" in the Au Sable River regulation, along with the fact the DNR is conducting a significant research study on the river, prompted the proposed change to the package.
"Given the comments by anglers and the available information we have on that system today, we have determined it is premature to change regulations on that stretch until we complete our six-year evaluation of new management strategies, including stocking rates, growth rates and fishing mortality," Smith explained. "We are in the second year of the study, and as we learn more about the system, we will be able to make better management decisions, including recommendations on appropriate fishing regulations."
These most recent changes will be discussed at the Sept. 8 meeting of the NRC at the Lansing Center. The public is invited to attend.
Uploaded: 9/2/1999
Uploaded: 9/2/1999