I attended the Newberry show last night, with very positive reviews. About 20 people showed up, most for brook trout but a lot of good pike discussion ensued as well. Muskies roused only a little interest, which was somewhat surprising. But the locals there are very well versed in muskies, so I think that is the explanation. The all-species fisheries are quite healthy in the area, muskies are a big part of it, and so they generally all "get it" pretty well. None were opposed to stricter muskie regulations. Great group of anglers!
It was a hard choice b/w Newberry and Cheboygan last night- I hate that they were concurrent. But, the pizza made the choice easy in the end.
It was a great time, but I think I might have been better served in Cheboygan, looking back. I will be getting in touch with the biologist there to see how things went, and to bend his ear a bit!
Grayling meeting report:
A small but interesting collection of anglers showed up. 6 attendees total- 3 who only had brook trout interest, 2 were hook&line muskie/pike in favor of regulation changes, and 1 muskie/pike guy who only spears and was opposed to any regulation changes.
The DNR staff really pushed the online survey as the only way they wanted to receive comments. They seemed to want to avoid any sort of discussion on the spot, probably because 1 guy already thought he knew everything, and wasn't listening to anyone much anyway.
Attended the Belmont meeting last evening. Will, Matt & myself represented MMA. There were two other men there for the pike regs. Good information, but I was surprised by lack of attendance. Apparently that has been the norm in these public meetings. The online surveys have received several thousand entries in each category.
Charlie
"spnplugger" said:
The online surveys have received several thousand entries in each category.
That's your answer with the price of gas. I put on over 800 miles last week attending DNR fishery meetings and several other meetings between Lansing, Grayling, Benton Harbor, and meetings in between. It is good MMA was covering Belmont meeting.
A little late in doing so but took the survey and left a note.
Key points for me are that much more strict regulations may not be popular in the short term, but it is hard to argue with success of Minnesota/Canada musky fisheries, and the tourism that brings. Both having stricter regulations than MI.
The major key point to me, that I didn't put in my note-Fisherman CAN NOT be relied upon to make good management decisions. Guys simply believe if it is legal then it is OK.
It is NOT OK to keep/kill everything that the regulation book says you can. INCLUDING BLUE GILL on same lakes/certain times of the year.
3 days left you make your voice heard!!! If you know anyone remotely interested that hasn't commented PLEASE get them on board, or help them do it, or whatever!
Preliminary results/polling of certain individuals have stated that the public comments may be the final push that swings certain regulations aspects- one way or another. This is important
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