We went fishing on june 14th on Go Deep Sportfishing Charters out of Oscoda MI. We had alot of fun up there we ended up with 6 lake trout and 3 king salmons so if your ever in Michigan and want to do some great fishing give Captain Bill Hjorth a call at 989-257-5183.

DNR Reminds Citizens That Fire Danger is High This WeekendContact:  Paul Kollmeyer 231-775-9727 Agency: Natural Resources

May 21, 2008The Department of Natural Resources reminds Michigan citizens and visitors that wildfire danger is expected to be high this weekend across most of the state. The holiday weekend forecast is calling for warm and dry conditions. “The full forest ‘green up’ was delayed due to earlier cool weather,” said DNR Wildfire Supervisor Scott Heather. “Pine needle moisture levels are about as low as they get right now. Low fuel moistures make the threat of a crown fire spreading rapidly through the treetops a possibility under current fire conditions.” So far this spring fire season, the DNR has responded to 176 wildfires, with the largest being a 1,345-acre fire near Grayling. Motorists traveling along 1-75 will easily see where the fire crossed the highway on April 24, threatening the business district of Grayling and continued burning westerly destroying three homes before being controlled by firefighting forces. “When weather is dry during holiday weekends, we respond to a lot of human-caused fires due to the increase in outdoor activity during the weekend,” said DNR Fire Prevention Specialist Paul Kollmeyer. “The needles and leaves igniting so easily provide a perfect combination that elevates the chances of a fire getting started.” Kollmeyer reminded Michigan citizens and visitors to be extremely careful with outdoor fires this weekend. He suggested that campfires be kept small and never left unattended. All fires and barbeques should be completely extinguished. Use plenty of water, stir and then add more water until everything is wet and no steam is produced while extinguishing a fire or barbeque. Turn over unburned pieces of wood or charcoal and wet the underside. Soak unburned pieces of charcoal in a bucket of water before disposing of them. Do not simply cover a campfire with soil or sand - this is insufficient to extinguish it. For more information on wildfire prevention, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr-fire. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Fisheries Division

April 28, 2008

Proposal to review the number of rods authorized for use while fishing

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering a change in the number of rods

allowed for use by State recreational anglers while fishing. Currently, the number of lines (rods)

an angler may use on most waters is limited to 2. Several years ago, however, angling groups

worked with the legislature to allow 3 lines while in the act of trolling for trout and salmon in

lakes Michigan, Huron or Superior. This discrepancy has caused some confusion among anglers

and has created law enforcement problems. The Department has been asked to revisit this

regulation.

1. What are the current line limits for recreational anglers?

A person shall not use more than 2 single lines or 2 single rods and lines while fishing.

The exception to this rule is that on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior and the St.

Mary’s River, persons in the act of trolling may use 3 lines and rods if they are targeting

trout and salmon.

2. How long have the current regulations been in place?

 The 2-line limit has been in effect for more than 80 years.

 A change in statute in 2001 created the opportunity for anglers to use 3 lines on Lake

Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and the St. Mary’s River if they are trolling and

targeting for trout and salmon.

3. What is the new proposal?

 The new proposal is to allow anglers to use 3 lines statewide, including inland and Great

Lakes waters.

4. Does the Department have the authority to change line limits?

 An increase to three lines statewide will require a change in statute, which can only be

accomplished by an act of the legislature.

 The 2001 change in statute did grant the Department limited authority to increase the

number of lines that may be used to harvest trout and salmon while trolling on the Great

Lakes and connecting waters.

 Returning the limit back to 2 lines statewide for all anglers does not require legislative

action.

5. What are the line/rod limits in adjoining jurisdictions?

 Indiana: 3 rods

 Minnesota: 1 rod, 2 rods may be used while ice fishing

 Ohio: 2 rods

 Ontario: 2 rods

 Wisconsin: 3 rods

April 28, 2008 -2-

6. What are the potential positive aspects of increasing the number of lines to 3 statewide?

 Currently there is a disparity in the number of lines that can be used by certain anglers,

depending on where and how they are fishing. This proposal will create a uniform

regulation for all anglers.

 Regulations would be simplified.

 Anglers trolling for species other than trout and salmon will be able to use an additional

line than is currently allowed.

 Ice anglers will be able to use any combination of rods/tip-ups for ice fishing.

 Anglers will have a greater flexibility in choosing their level of effort.

7. What are the potential negative aspects of increasing the number of lines to 3 statewide?

 Overcrowding could result at piers, below spillways, or wherever high concentrations of

anglers already occur.

 Ice, bank, and surf anglers, especially those fishing in groups, may utilize larger fishing

areas (i.e. length of river bank), which may cause user conflicts.

8. What are the potential biological implications of this proposal?

 There are none that can be readily identified, but there is insufficient information available

to predict all of the potential impacts if there is increased harvest (e.g., potential for

additional harvest of northern pike during ice fishing). While some anglers may reach

their daily bag limit more quickly or frequently using an additional line, it is likely that

other anglers will be less efficient harvesting fish with additional lines.

9. Do the fishery biologists believe this change would have any impact to the fishery?

 An increase in the line limit may increase effort, but since most anglers do not catch their

daily bag limit of fish it is very unlikely such a change would result in a significantly

higher level of harvest that could negatively impact a fishery.

 In certain situations, especially ice fishing for vulnerable species such as northern pike and

muskellunge, there may be an overall increase in catch.

10. Will daily bag limits also be increased?

 No. The proposal only affects the number of lines. There is a separate proposal for

increasing the Chinook and coho salmon daily bag limit.

11. Has the current 3-line limit for trout and salmon on lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior

harmed the fishery in any way?

 No. Those anglers that fish for trout and salmon in the upper Great Lakes simply have the

opportunity to increase their efficiency when f ishing.

12. Why do we need line limits when there are already daily bag limits in place?

 Line limits and daily bag limits work together to distribute catch equitably among anglers.

If set too high, one result can be that relatively few anglers harvest a disproportionate share

of the catch.

 Socially, line limits create a fair level of effort and use of “space”, especially in shoreline

and pier fishing situations.

April 28, 2008 -3-

13. When will this regulation take effect?

 The earliest that this regulation would take effect is April 1, 2009.

14. Are public comments being accepted?

 Yes, public comments are being accepted through June 13, 2008, via e-mail to DNR-FISH-

3lines@michigan.gov or letters sent to Fisheries Division, PO Box 30446, Lansing, MI

48909. Comments will also be accepted after June 13, 2008, through various forums such

as Natural Resources Commission meetings.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Fisheries Division

April 28, 2008

Proposal to review the daily bag limit for salmon

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering a change in bag limit regulations

for some salmon species in the Great Lakes and connected rivers. This review is in response to

requests from anglers over the past two decades, and especially the last three years, for the

Department to consider changes to the current daily bag limits for Chinook salmon and coho

salmon. Potential changes in regulations would be applied statewide.

1. What are the current regulations for trout and salmon in the Great Lakes?

•

Atlantic salmon, Brook trout, Brown trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, Lake trout,

Pink salmon, Rainbow trout and Splake: 5 in any combination but no more than 3 of any

one species, except that up to 5 pink salmon may be harvested.

2. How long have the current regulations been in place?

•

The current daily bag limits have been in place on all trout and salmon (except Lake trout)

since April 1, 1989. Prior to that date the daily limit for all trout and salmon species was 5

in any combination, except for lake trout.

3. Which species are being considered for a change in the daily bag limit?

•

Chinook and coho salmon only.

4. Why are Chinook and Coho Salmon the only species being considered?

•

Anglers throughout the Great Lakes are generally satisfied with the daily bag limit for the

other trout and salmon species. An opportunity exists to consider a higher daily bag limit

for these two species.

5. What is the new proposal?

•

The daily bag limit for Chinook and coho salmon could be increased to 5 per day. The

regulation would read “5 in any combination but no more than 3 of any one species, except

that up to 5 Chinook, Coho, or Pink salmon may be harvested.

6. Why would the bag limit change for these two species be considered for all the lakes?

•

The Department is committed to making regulations less confusing. Changing the daily

bag limit for these two species across all four lakes would be consistent with this

commitment. In addition, all other State and Provincial jurisdictions bordering the four

Great Lakes currently have a 5 fish daily bag limit for these species.

7. Why the focus on daily bag limits; have you considered changing size or season restrictions?

•

Virtually no trout or salmon are caught and harvested below the designated size limit of 10

inches and, except for lake trout and splake, the season for trout and salmon in the Great

Lakes is already open all year. Daily bag limits are generally viewed by biologists as a

tool to limit fishing exploitation by experienced anglers while attempting to distribute

harvest more equitably among all anglers. Research has shown that the vast majority of

anglers do not catch the allowed daily bag limit. Based on those findings, bag limits tend

to be modified based on social consideration rather than biological factors.

8. Why are daily bag limits not very effective for Chinook or coho salmon?

•

Natural mortality sources on fish populations exert the most control over their numbers in

the wild. In fact, natural mortality rates in most fish populations are higher than fishing

mortality rates, especially for most Great Lakes populations.

9. What are the potential biological implications of this proposal?

•

For all practical reasons there are none. Biologically it is unnecessary to restrict harvest

for these two species to 3 per day, although it is possible that higher bag limts could, in

rare circumstances, negatively effect natural reproduction of salmon. In most years

increasing the daily bag limit to 5 fish for Chinook and coho salmon would result in very

small increases in total harvest. Maintaining lower bag limits may restrict harvest of fish

when their abundance and catch rates are very high. When abundance and catch rates are

very high, a few more anglers might catch their limit.

10. What would be the potential effect on fisheries if the daily bag limit was increased?

•

While the vast majority of anglers do not catch their limit of these species, there are rare

and potentially localized circumstances where a higher daily bag limit could possibly result

in some level of reduction in natural reproduction by these species in Michigan’s rivers. In

addition, greater fishing effort on streams could result in increased harassment of spawning

fish, thus indirectly reducing natural reproduction.

•

A higher daily bag limit may be more consistent with management of the open lake

fisheries. Although highly unlikely, in extremely rare circumstances there is a small

possibility that additional harvest might help to mitigate any unbalance in predator and

prey populations.

•

Since angler effort and harvest could be higher in select waters, there could be a potential

increase in user conflicts between anglers, especially in river systems.

11. Does the proposal include changes to the daily bag limit for these two species in rivers and

streams?

•

Yes. Regardless of where these species are caught, the daily bag limit would be consistent

to ensure simplicity of regulations for the fishing public.

12. If there are relatively few biological implications then this must be primarily a social issue,

correct?

•

Correct. In previous reviews of fishing regulations for the Great Lakes, the angling

community noted that while harvesting fish is important, harvest should not be

concentrated on a few successful anglers. For nearly two decades the three fish limit for

these two species has generally been viewed by the public as sufficient harvest for one trip.

13. What are the potential positive and negative aspects of this proposal from a social

perspective?

•

There may be unintended shifts in fishing effort. For example, anglers may fish longer to

get the limit, make more or less trips, or they may quit fishing because the limit is

unattainable.

•

There may be unrealistic changes in expectations. The daily bag limit is frequently used as

a benchmark of success by anglers. Increasing the bag limit will most likely decrease

satisfaction with the fishery over time since the expectation of anglers will be to achieve

the higher limit each day. Achieving the limit will become increasingly difficult as the bag

limit is increased.

•

A reasonable number of fish to harvest can be a personal choice, so increasing the bag

limit may not be important to some anglers.

14. When would this change be effective?

•

April 1, 2009 at the earliest.

15. Are public comments being accepted?

•

Yes, public comments are being accepted through June 13, 2008, via e-mail to

DNR-FISHSalmon-Limits@michigan.gov

or letters sent to Fisheries Division, PO Box

 

I would like to tell everyone about Bucknut Apparel. They make some of the best t-shirts and hats out there so if u would go check them out at www.bucknutapparel.com 

Come and check us out at the Great Lakes Boat & Fishing Show March 7, 8, 9 at the Gibraltar Trade Center North. We will all be there and you will be able to get our new walleye harnesses and spoons. We will also be allowing kids to make there own harness. We hope to see all of you there.