I attended a special meeting held by Michigan DNR last night to discuss some issues on the table. I believe we can influence the decisions being made by DNR if we put some effort into this. The last place in the world I wanted to be last night was the DNR meeting, I left very upset to say the least. I do feel we need to let our voices be heard though. I thought Scott Heintzelman (Unit Manager for Central Lake Michigan DNR) did a pretty good job allowing everyone’s voice to be heard. As an angler/guide that voiced my opinion that chumming should be banned completely and that the creel limit for steelhead should be 1 per day I was outnumbered. Scott would like to get a better idea of what the public feels about the 3 issues by email if you can take the time to send him an email I really think you should. His email is heintzelmans@michigan.gov
He admitted that the latest Muskegon River studies by DNR are more than 10 years old and they’re still basing rules off that. You and I know it is a completely different fishery than it was 10 years ago. Chumming and angling pressure has changed things.
The three issues he wants feedback on are.
1. Should they allow a delayed release on bass for tournament fishing... meaning all the bass caught end up released at the weigh in spot instead of released immediately where they were caught. This can impact spawning for sure, not to mention relocating bass instead of having them spread out more naturally.
2. Should the steelhead creel limit be changed from 3 per angler to 2 or 1 per angler.
3. Should chumming be a free for all or limited to 1 qt per angler per day. A ban on chumming was not one of the multiple choice answers but he said it’s not off the table if enough opinion is voiced.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to let your voice be heard... please feel free to share as well.
-Z
