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We all know fish swim and move. But the when, where and why often remains a mystery for anglers and fisheries managers alike.
Managing fish populations requires a comprehensive understanding of fish behavior – driven by the biology of the fish and the environments they live in – as well as the anglers who value and enjoy Michigan’s world-class fisheries. Understanding angler behavior is relatively easy because people talk and can tell us what they like to catch and what motivates them to fish. Fish behavior, on the other hand? Well, that is more of a challenge.
Fortunately, fisheries managers in Michigan have adopted an advanced technology to unravel the mysteries of when, where, why and even how far fish travel. That technology is acoustic telemetry, and the information gained from this high-tech tracking method is helping fisheries managers address a variety of challenges, including conserving native stocks, controlling invasive species and understanding habitat use.
Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System network
Deciphering fish movement patterns in the Great Lakes with acoustic telemetry became much easier in 2010, with the creation of the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observations System. The GLATOS network uses cutting-edge technology to repeatedly observe the location of individual fish across short time intervals.
The ability to record the location of an individual fish over time is a substantial advancement from previous methods that solely relied upon knowing the release location of a uniquely marked fish and a subsequent recapture location, often provided by an angler. While the data from these methods are informative, a major shortcoming is that they provide no information on how the fish behaves between the time it was released and recaptured.
So how does acoustic telemetry work? The GLATOS network functions as a surveillance grid, consisting of receivers, or “listening stations,” strategically placed throughout the Great Lakes and capable of recording detections of fish that have been implanted with individually coded acoustic transmitters – or “pingers” – that the receivers are constantly listening for. This network of receivers and pinging fish provides vast spatial coverage of some of the largest lakes in the world and is supported by intensive collaborations among several state, federal and tribal fisheries resources agencies, universities and nongovernmental organizations.
There are currently more than 3,000 receivers in the Great Lakes Basin in the process of detecting pinging fish. An astonishing 24,000 fish have been implanted with acoustic transmitters since the GLATOS network was created, providing fisheries managers with year-round, 24/7, fine-scale fish behavior data that was never available before.
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Trout and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 26.
Make plans with your fishing buddies or bring someone new this year to share in the fun!
Anglers should note that in Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike possession seasons open Thursday, May 15.
Michigan’s muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers opens Saturday, June 7 (catch-and-immediate-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year).
And don’t forget the catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. Check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations summary for specifics.
The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 24 — except for on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open Saturday, June 21.
Storm damage
Anglers should be aware of potential road and waterway obstructions, including downed trees and branches, due to recent ice storm damage in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Find up-to-date information about closures and conditions on the DNR storm recovery page.
Protect our waters
Michigan’s trout streams are under increasing threat from harmful species that affect habitat and food sources for trout and other fish. Both didymo (rock snot) and New Zealand mudsnail can be moved to new locations on waders, nets and gear. To protect Michigan waters, be prepared and take the time to decontaminate before moving to a new river or stream.
Learn about more actions anglers and boaters can take to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Fishing licenses
The new license season began April 1, so anglers should make sure they purchase a new fishing license for this fishing season. The 2025 annual fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2026. If you need any assistance with your fishing license, contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057.
The 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations and Inland Trout and Salmon Maps are available online at Michigan.gov/Fishing, along with other helpful fishing information. Buy your license online or download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app to purchase your licenses, report harvests, access regulations, and get the latest hunting and fishing updates.
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As bears continue expanding their ranges in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, more residents and business owners may spot a hungry bear roaming through their property this spring.
Here are two important points to remember:
- Bird feed, including suet, is like fast food to a bear, which can smell the feed from a mile away and remember where it is year after year.
- A bear will likely keep on moving if there’s nothing tasty to eat, whether that’s bird seed, unsecured garbage or a food-splattered grill.
Living with bears has long been part of the fabric of the Upper Peninsula, which is home to about 10,000 bears. But bears have become a greater presence in the Lower Peninsula over the past two decades as they expand their footprint farther west and south, including into the Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Midland regions. About 2,000 bears now live in the Lower Peninsula.
The Michigan DNR manages Michigan’s wildlife, including its only bear species, the American black bear. The DNR regulates bear hunting season in the fall to help keep the bear population sustainable. Jared Duquette, a DNR wildlife biologist who specializes in human-wildlife interactions, noted that black bears are an important part of the state’s ecosystem.
“Bears eat a variety of fruits, berries and nuts, making them terrific seed dispersers,” Duquette said. “Their droppings help spread seeds across large areas, promoting plant growth and forest regeneration. As opportunistic omnivores, bears help control populations of small mammals and insects. They also scavenge on carrion, which helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.”
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Heading out to fish? New sportfishing regulations for Michigan’s 2025 fishing season began Tuesday, April 1, and are in effect through March 31, 2026. Changes this season include modifications to steelhead and muskie size limits and gear restrictions on some waters. Highlights include:
Inland stream rainbow trout (steelhead) possession limit
Steelhead regulations on several Type 3 and Type 4 streams have been slightly modified from last year. Some streams no longer have a 20-inch minimum size limit on steelhead (the daily possession limit of which is one). See Pages 42-65 of the Michigan Fishing Regulations for more specific information.
New single-pointed hook restriction and spearing prohibition waters
The ports of Grand Haven, Muskegon and Whitehall/Montague have new single-pointed hook regulations Nov. 1-30, and spearing or possessing spearing gear is now prohibited in these waters Nov. 1-30. For more information, see Pages 16-17 and 30-31 of the Michigan Fishing Regulations.
Muskellunge size limit regulation
In Thornapple Lake (Barry and Eaton counties) and Lake Hudson (Lenawee County), new 50-inch minimum size limit regulations for muskellunge are in effect. These lakes are important sources of Great Lakes-strain muskellunge, from which the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is developing a population of mature adults for future stocking needs. Find more information on Page 13 of the Michigan Fishing Regulations.
Several other inland waters have undergone minor regulation changes focused on northern pike, bass and trout. Before you hit the water, make sure to review the 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations thoroughly to learn any new laws that apply to your favorite fishing spots.
Don’t have your 2025 fishing license yet? Buy your fishing license online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and visit Michigan.gov/Fishing for helpful resources including fishing location maps, fish ID information, the weekly fishing report and more.
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If you’re already dreaming of sun-soaked days on the water, take advantage of the DNR’s improved tool for navigating to your best boating destinations this summer.
The new Michigan Boating Facility Finder, or MiBFF, makes finding boating access sites a breeze. Use the interactive map to explore launch points, check watercraft rules and stay informed about closures.
You can find it at Michigan.gov/MiBFF.
“MiBFF provides updated facility information through a much-improved, user-friendly mapping system that cuts out the delays that the prior system had,” said Jordan Byelich, waterways development program manager for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.
Here’s what you can expect when using MiBFF:
- More clearly identified launch-type information through map location points and a legend.
- Photos that clarify launch area information – especially helpful for first-time users of a boating access site!
- New search criteria to filter by launch type, body of water and presence of a boating pier and/or restrooms.
- Ability to print customized maps.
- Information about DNR-managed boating access site facilities as well as state-sponsored sites under local units of government.
Surrounded by one-fifth of the planet’s fresh surface water, it’s no surprise Michigan is home to great boating and fantastic freshwater recreation opportunities. With more than a thousand public boating access sites and 82 public harbors across the state, you'll find easy access to 3,300 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. Fun fact: Our state ranks second in the nation (behind Florida) for total watercraft registrations.