(Provided by MDNR)
The Michigan DNR Commission will hear information on potential fishing regulation changes regarding commercial bait, bow and spear fishing, and reptile and amphibian possession at a Sept. 8 meeting.
The regulations to be discussed are part of multiple Fisheries Orders which the DNR uses to protect Michigan's aquatic resources. The Fisheries Orders on the agenda are 201, 216, 219 and 224.
Fisheries Order 201 sets fishing regulations on waters within the Big Island Lake Complex in Schoolcraft County. (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr) The DNR proposes to add several lakes that were inadvertently omitted on the list of waters covered under this order. These changes should help clarify coverage of the special regulations.
Fisheries Order 216 details regulations for taking minnows, wigglers and crayfish for commercial purposes and lists waters closed to personal take of minnows. The proposal consists of consolidating several Fisheries Orders (203, 227 and 231 - all related to bait) to 216 to simplify the regulations. (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr)
Fisheries Order 219 covers regulations for anglers using a bow, spear or crossbow to fish in Michigan. Three changes are being proposed (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr ),including removing Big Bear Lake (Otsego County) and Caribou Lake (Chippewa county) from the list of waters closed to northern pike and muskellunge spearing; removing Tower Dam Pond (Cheboygan County) from the order; and changing the order's title from "Spearing Regulations - Statewide" to "Bow, Spear and Crossbow Fishing Regulations".
Fisheries Order 224 established regulations for Michigan's reptiles and amphibians. A recent review by the department's amphibian and reptile advisory committee indicates several species are in need of greater protection. The regulation change (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr) would add five species to Michigan Natural Features Inventory's list of "Species of Special Concern," including the mudpuppy, fowler's toad, pickerel frog, butlers garter snake and smooth green snake. Doing so would prohibit recreational collection and possession of these species.
"We welcome the public's thoughts on the proposed changes to these Fisheries Orders," said Nick Popoff, the DNR's Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs manager. "Weighing in at the upcoming NRC meeting will help the Commission make its decision on these regulations later this fall."
The Sept. 8 NRC meeting will be held at Gogebic Community College's David Lindquist Student and Conference Center in Ironwood. For more information, including how to make public comment, visit the NRC's website.