Anglingers can expect better fishing for pike and muscle lungs in the coming years. New rules recently adopted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are expected to improve the size and abundance of both species in various state waters. Twenty-two waters now welcome anglers to take advantage of a new daily pike possession limit. Up to five northern pike of any size can be caught, with only one over 24 inches allowed. The new regulations are designed to address abundant and slow-growing northern pike populations and provide additional fishing opportunities in the following waters: Zander regulations for Gogebic Lake revert to the national minimum size of 15 inches, with a daily possession limit of five fish in response to fishers` concerns about the significant reduction in pikeperch catch. The previous, more liberal regulation, passed in 2016, allowed a daily possession limit of up to two pikeperch between 13 and 15 inches. The change in 2016 was a response to fishermen`s desire to use an abundance of pikeperch under 15 inches. At Gogebic Lake in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties, there will be a return to statewide rules for zander. These include a minimum size of 15 inches and the maximum daily possession limit of five fish. Previous rules were more liberal, but angling fishermen`s concerns about reducing catches led to a return to national regulation. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission today passed new regulations to protect fish populations in a newly acquired wildlife preserve and Gogebic Lake and to increase pike fishing opportunities in several lakes across the state. The regulation will apply from Friday 15 October. But before that, you need to know what requirements you need to meet when fishing in Michigan waters.
The same goes for many other states in the United States, Michigan also requires that every fisherman (depending on eligibility) have a fishing license before being allowed to fish in its waters. These licenses can be purchased statewide, and fees vary depending on qualification and status. If you`re still not sure what type of license to buy for your next Michigan fishing trip or don`t know where to buy one, this article will list everything you need to know about Michigan fishing licenses and other fishing regulations. Combined licenses are also available, which grant a fishing and hunting license in the state of Michigan. A resident must pay $76.00 for an annual hunting and fishing licence, while a non-resident must pay $266.00 for this licence. Please note that persons 65 years of age and older, as well as those who are legally blind, can purchase a combined permit at a reduced price of $43.00. Senior Annual (residents aged 65 and over or blind residents) The new rules apply to the 2013 fishing season. You will: • Reduce the possession limit of muscle lungs from one per day to one fish per season. • Require fishermen to receive free muscle-lung harvesting tokens.
• Reduce the daily limit for pike water without size restrictions to one greater than 24 inches within a five-fish limit. • Eliminate the minimum height of 30 inches for pike in the eight waters that have this restriction. • Create a size limit of 24 to 34 inches and a limit of two fish in six waters where anglers can keep pike larger or smaller than these sizes. Organized musk and pike fishermen supported the movement. They say changes are necessary. MNR Fisheries Division recommends amendments to muscular lung and pike regulations In addition, pike regulations will be moved to the minimum size without a minimum size with a daily possession limit of five fish, only one of which can be larger than 24 inches. This change is a response to the increasing abundance of northern pike, with a high proportion of the population under 24 inches. There are over 11,000 inland lakes in Michigan and if those lakes flow into open water, the term “fishing party” should include the additional clause “and I don`t know when we`ll be back.” Michigan`s waters are among the best in the world in freshwater fishing.
The Great Lakes offer some of the best salmon catch. The Au Sable River is perfect for trout fly fishing. Inland lakes and estuaries are teeming with various species of perch, pikeperch, sunfish, perch, crappies, carp, pike, catfish and much more. “Pike anglers were demanding bigger fish,” said Kregg Smith, a fish biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources who led a five-year review of pike and musk regulations that included public contributions. “With Muskie, the problem was a high level of exploitation. We want to give them more opportunities to fish for themselves. For suggestions on how MNR can improve the emails you receive, please send DNR-Bulletins@michigan.gov an email. The Fisheries Division of the Department of Natural Resources today announced details of proposed changes to the national regulations for muscular lung and pike fishing. Regulatory amendments were developed after the results of a public survey showed that anglers were open to new regulations designed to improve fishing opportunities for pike and muscular lung. Fisheries Division staff conducted an internal review of the existing rules beginning in 2007 and then solicited the general public on possible changes through separate online and telephone surveys.