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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit today announced fishery management actions and activities for the 2013-2014 angling season. These include fish stocking, habitat rehabilitation projects, creel census, fish community surveys and angler access programs.
These management updates are provided as a means to notify anglers and the public of changes in management and to make lake and stream property owners aware of our survey activities, said Jay Wesley, Southern Lake Michigan Unit manager. We also value and encourage public input regarding our management actions and activities.
The Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit covers the Grand, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Galien river watersheds and all the lakes and streams within that area. Each year, fisheries biologists and technicians evaluate management options on various water bodies in order to achieve increased fishery benefits. Fish stocking actions are reviewed at least every six years based on fish community or creel surveys. Counties with specific management actions and waters that are planned for surveys in 2013 are listed below.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR will be taking walleye eggs below Croton Dam starting the third week of March.
The DNR plans to collect approximately 45 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River in 2013 that will result in 7 million fry for transfer to rearing ponds throughout the Lower Peninsula. These walleye will be raised to fingerling size and stocked this spring in lakes and rivers throughout the state.
Lake Michigan walleye populations in the Lower Peninsula are dependent on the fingerlings produced from Muskegon River eggs, as well as many inland lakes in the Lower Peninsula. The size of the walleye spawning run in the Muskegon River is presently about 40,000 to 50,000 each year. DNR crews will strip milt and eggs from approximately 250 adult fish, which will be returned to the river except for 60 which will be sent to Michigan State University for fish health testing.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR announced that new muskellunge and northern pike regulations will go into effect for all anglers on April 1. In Michigan, only one muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler.
Anglers who would like to harvest muskellunge must have a new muskellunge harvest tag thats now available. Anglers are not required to obtain this harvest tag to fish for muskellunge; its only for those anglers that intend to harvest a muskellunge.
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2013 Michigan Fishing GuideThe 2013 Michigan Fishing Guide, which includes rules and regulations effective from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 is available now at any fishing license vendor.
- Higher-quality paper to better withstand the wear and tear of fishing in Michigan
- A smaller physical size (better able to fit in anglers tackle boxes)
- Easier-to-read font size
We really appreciate the vast public input we received as we worked to revamp our annual fishing guide, said Jim Dexter, DNR Fisheries Division chief. We think anglers will find it visually appealing and easier to navigate as they fish their favorite locations.
The 2013 Michigan Fishing Guide is also available in a user-friendly, electronic format online at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide.
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D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo will host free salmon and walleye fishing workshops March 9 and 10.
In addition to the seminars, several tackle manufacturers will be on hand to answer questions and display new products.
On March 9, Captain Dave Engle of Best Chance Charters will present an 11:30 a.m. program on the hottest techniques for fishing trout and salmon on big water. Salmon Pro Ged Stryznski will provide a 1 p.m. discussion on the latest products and techniques.
And for walleye anglers, walleye Pro Gary Parsons will share his tips for fishing Michigan lakes and rivers at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
On March 10, the West Michigan Walleye Club will conduct a clinic between noon and 3 p.m. that includes detailed presentations on walleye tactics and includes a question/answer period.
For more information, call D&R, 269-372-2277.