news
LANSING--Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director K.L. Cool today approved new fishing regulations for trout and salmon on inland lakes and streams. The regulations, which feature a new classification system that places all trout waters into a particular "type" of water body with its own precise regulations, take effect April 1, 2000.
"Michigan has a great diversity of fishing opportunities, and we believe the new regulations will do a much better job of meeting the needs of the resource and its users," Cool said. "We also have replaced a myriad of individual exceptions and special regulations with a system that is easier for the angler to understand."
The current review of inland coolwater fishing regulations began in June 1998. The initial proposal, designed by a steering committee consisting of personnel from the DNR Fisheries and Law Enforcement divisions, constituent groups, universities and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was released to the public on April 5, 1999. The proposal was widely distributed to anglers and other interested persons via public meetings and the DNR Web site. In addition, hundreds of copies were mailed to interested parties.
More than 40 public meetings were held during May and June. Throughout the summer, biologists made changes to the original proposal based on public comment received at those meetings, and from more than 200 written comments received on the package. Public comment also was received from interested parties during the August and September meetings of the Natural Resources Commission.
"The input we received from anglers throughout the development of this proposal was extremely helpful," said Kelley Smith, Fisheries Division Chief. "This product represents a true partnership between the fisheries division and the angling public."
The new regulations simplify trout fishing regulations by classifying trout waters based upon their biological and physical characteristics, and the specific regulations applied to each water type will minimize exceptions to regulations within a class of trout waters.
"We believe the new regulations will optimize angler opportunity, while promoting a more stable and diverse fishery," Smith said.
Anglers also will find the new regulations easier to read, understand and remember. The annual Michigan Fishing Guide will be separated into two publications. A new inland trout fishing guide, complete with color-coded maps, will allow the angler to easily determine the regulations for a given inland lake or stream, simply by looking at a map.
Following is a summary of the classification system for inland lakes and streams:
Type I Streams
The season is the last Saturday in April through September. Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. The daily limit is five fish, but no than three 15 inches or larger, and no more than one Atlantic salmon. Minimum size limits are 8 inches for brook trout and brown trout in Lower Peninsula streams and 7 inches in the Upper Peninsula, 10 inches statewide for rainbow trout and 8 inches statewide for splake.
Type II Streams
Season, tackle and daily limits are the same as Type I streams. Minimum size limits are 10 inches for brook trout and splake and 12 inches for brown trout and rainbow trout.
Type III Streams
Open season all year. Tackle and daily limits are the same as Type I streams. Minimum size limits are 15 inches for brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and splake.
Type IV Streams
Open season all year. Possession season for brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon is the last Saturday in April through September, and all year for all other species. Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. The daily limit is five fish, but no more than three 15 inches or larger, and no more than one Atlantic salmon. Minimum size limits are 8 inches for brook trout and 10 inches for brown trout, rainbow trout and splake.
Type V Streams
Open season all year. Possession season for brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon is the last Saturday in April through September, and all year for all other species. Only artificial flies may be used. The daily limit is two fish. Minimum size limits are 10 inches for brook trout and 15 inches for brown trout, rainbow trout and splake.
Type VI Streams
Open season all year. Possession season for brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon is the last Saturday in April through September, and all year for all other species. Only artificial lures may be used. The daily limit is two fish. Minimum size limits are 10 inches for brook trout and splake and 12 inches for brown trout and rainbow trout.
Type VII Streams
Open season all year. Artificial flies only. Catch-and-release only. Trout may not be possessed in no-kill areas regardless of where caught.
Note: The new regulations include an exception to the new classification system for two streams that have unique regulations associated with them. There will be no change in existing regulations for the 14.5-mile portion of the Au Sable River below Mio Dam, and for a two-mile section of the Huron River in Oakland County.
On all stream types, the minimum size limits for chinook salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, Atlantic salmon and lake trout are:
* 10 inches for chinook salmon, coho salmon and pink salmon
* 15 inches for Atlantic salmon
* 24 inches for lake trout
Type A Lakes
The season is the last Saturday in April through September, and fishing tackle includes everything except minnows. The daily limit is five fish, but no more than three 15 inches or larger, and no more than one Atlantic salmon. Minimum size limits are 10 inches for brook trout, 12 inches for brown trout, rainbow trout and splake and 15 inches for lake trout.
Type B Lakes
Open season all year. Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. Daily limits and minimum size limits are the same as Type A lakes.
Type C Lakes
Open season all year. Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. Daily limits are the same as Type A lakes. Minimum size limits are 8 inches for all trout species.
Type D Lakes
The season is the last Saturday in April through September. Only artificial lures may be used. The daily limit is one fish. Minimum size limits are 15 inches for all trout species.
Type E Lakes
Open season all year. Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. The daily limit is three fish, but no more than one Atlantic salmon. Minimum size limits are the same as Type D lakes.
Type F Lakes
Open season all year. The possession season for lake trout shall be May 1 through Labor Day, and all year for all other trout species. Artificial lures and all types of natural baits may be used. The daily limit is five in any combination, with no more than three fish of any one species, except lake trout and splake (limit is two fish). Minimum size limits are 10 inches for all trout and salmon.
Uploaded: 10/7/1999
Uploaded: 10/7/1999