In order to get public input on proposed regulations to expand Michigan's bass fishing seasons, the Department of Natural Resources has announced an online survey and public meetings throughout the state in July. For the past year the DNR’s Fisheries Division has been working with the Warmwater Resources Steering Committee (a public advisory group) to discuss possible expansion of bass seasons.

The regulation expansion options being discussed would increase fishing and harvest seasons. Under all options, bass populations would still be protected and include a winter no-harvest season, 14-inch minimum size limit and daily possession limit.

To gauge public opinion, both anglers and non-anglers (particularly lake property owners) are encouraged to complete the DNR’s bass regulations survey, available here: <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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The goal of this survey is to determine the level of support for increasing angling opportunities for largemouth and smallmouth bass through changes to existing fishing seasons.

Additional public input will be gathered via a series of public meetings. Dates, times and locations include:

Monday, July 14, 6-7:30 p.m. (CDT), Dickinson County Library,
401 Iron Mountain St., Iron Mountain

Tuesday, July 15, 6-8 p.m. (EDT), Carl T. Johnson Hunt & Fish Center,
6093 M-115, Cadillac
Tuesday, July 15, 6:30-8 p.m. (EDT), Oshtemo Branch Library,
7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo

Tuesday, July 15, 6-8 p.m. (EDT), Saginaw Bay Visitor Center (in Bay City State Recreation
Area), 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City

Tuesday, July 15, 6-7 p.m. (EDT), Tahquamenon Area Public Library,
700 Newberry Ave., Newberry

Wednesday, July 16, 7-8:30 p.m. (EDT), DNR Customer Service Center,
1801 Atwater St., Detroit

Wednesday, July 23, from 7-9 p.m. (EDT), Ishpeming Town Hall,
1575 U.S. 41 West, Ishpeming.

Wednesday, July 23, 6-7:30 p.m. (EDT), DNR Field Office,
1732 W. M-32, Gaylord

Thursday, July 24, 7-9 p.m. (EDT), Portage Lake District Library,
58 Huron St., Houghton

A random selection of licensed anglers also will receive a survey in the mail.

For more information on these meetings, visit <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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Proposed Regulation options:
No change. Leave the bass seasons as they are now.

Year-round catch-and-immediate-release statewide; move Lake St. Clair system (LSC) harvest opener (from third Saturday in June) to statewide bass opener Saturday before Memorial Day when all other waters open for catch-and-keep choice (harvest).

Year-round catch-and-immediate-release statewide with the same harvest seasons currently in place – Saturday before Memorial Day for all waters except third Saturday in June for LSC system.

Year-round catch-and-immediate-release statewide. Change Lower Peninsula (LP) inland and LP Great Lakes (including LSC system) opening harvest (catch-and-keep choice) dates to last Saturday in April; Upper Peninsula (UP) inland and UP Great Lakes to May 15 to align with pike and walleye openers.