Wtf??!!!
The DNR is recommending significant changes to the Order after a lengthy review of the regulations. The DNR believes that the recommended changes simplify spearing regulations and increase the diversity of fishing opportunities while maintaining effective protection to the resource.
The changes siplify spearing regs? How about we try to make it SUPER simple? Closed spearing on ALL muskie lakes, but open to any other waters for pike since they spawn so much more plentiful? (Sorry Joe) But, just put a slot in place. That would make it simple! How do you protect the resource by allowing more killing? I'm almost glad that Austin was open for a couple years to spearing. I just hope there is enough info to show the devestation and use that as an example of how NOT to manage other muskie waters.
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
Wtf??!!!
The DNR is recommending significant changes to the Order after a lengthy review of the regulations. The DNR believes that the recommended changes simplify spearing regulations and increase the diversity of fishing opportunities while maintaining effective protection to the resource.The changes siplify spearing regs? How about we try to make it SUPER simple? Closed spearing on ALL muskie lakes, but open to any other waters for pike since they spawn so much more plentiful? (Sorry Joe) But, just put a slot in place. That would make it simple! How do you protect the resource by allowing more killing? I'm almost glad that Austin was open for a couple years to spearing. I just hope there is enough info to show the devestation and use that as an example of how NOT to manage other muskie waters.
Amen brotha!!!
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
The DNR is recommending significant changes to the Order after a lengthy review of the regulations. The DNR believes that the recommended changes simplify spearing regulations and increase the diversity of fishing opportunities while maintaining effective protection to the resource.
What are the changes they are recommending?
DNR PROPOSES EXPANDED SPEARING & BOWFISHING REGULATIONS
October 19th, 2011 by Amy Trotter.
Fisheries Order 219 governs spearing regulations statewide for anglers who
harvest fish with a spear or bow. This Order sets the regulations for gear, season,
species, and waters open to spearing activity. The DNR is recommending
significant changes to the Order after a lengthy review of the regulations. The
DNR believes that the recommended changes simplify spearing regulations and
increase the diversity of fishing opportunities while maintaining effective
protection to the resource.
Previously, authority for spearing regulations was assigned to the Legislature. In
2008, MUCC worked with lawmakers and the DNR to amend the statute and move
the authority to the DNR. These changes were significant, as spearing regulations
had been set in statute for more than 50 years and were significantly outdated.
The Fisheries Division worked with stakeholders on the Warmwater Resources
Advisory Committee (WRAC) to develop means to simplify and expand the
bowfishing and spearing regulations. MUCC is represented on this committee, as
well as MUCC club affiliates including the Bowfishing Association of Michigan,
Michigan Muskie Alliance, and Michigan Darkhouse Angling Association.
Highlights of the proposed changes to spearing regulations include:
Expanding the season for bowfishing opportunities on many waters to the
entire year.
Expanding the waters where pike and muskie spearing opportunities exist
Expanding the type of gear that can be used
Expanding the list of species available for harvest to include gizzard shad,
goldfish, and grass carp
Consolidation of spearing provisions in other Fisheries Order
Elimination of many restrictions and exceptions
The entire proposed changes to Spearing Regulations in FO 219 can be found
here. These are scheduled to be approved on November 10 at the NRC meeting,
however they would not go into effect until April 1, 2012.
MUCC and BAM have testified already that we fully support the movement
towards expanded bowfishing opportunities, according to several MUCC
resolutions from the last decade. However, a 2005 MUCC Resolution stated that
we should “work with MDNR Fisheries Division and the NRC to review darkhouse
spearing closures and present scientific, research evidence, that darkhouse
angling has a detrimental effect on northern pike and musky populations on
these, “closed to spearing” bodies of water.”
We have requested additional data on why the DNR is maintaining closures on 19
inland bodies of water. MUCC continues to work with the Fisheries Division to
ensure the reasoning behind the closing is based on current scientific data and
will work with the WRAC to identify other possible areas to open going forward.
Below is the list of inland waters proposed to remain closed to pike and muskie
spearing, with the reason:
Put in place to reduce harvest pressure on northern pike and to protect and
enhance their growth:
Fletcher Floodwaters – Alpena/Montmorency County
Lake Gratiot – Keweenaw County
Broodstock lake for muskie:
Thornapple Lake – Barry County
Lake Hudson – Lenawee County
Big Bear Lake – Otsego County
Protection of stocked muskie and low pike populations:
Caribou lake – chippewa county
Budd lake – Clare county
Lake Ovid
Protection of stocked muskie and backup broodstock:
Campau, Murray, Long (St. Jo), Bankson, Round
Protection of small muskie with limited reprodution:
Brule Lake, Chicagon, Pain, Pain Pond, Stanley – Iron County
This isn't really expanded spearing. This was a reduction of lakes on the banned list, most consisted of old tiger lakes that don't need the closure. There are some lakes in the UP that were removed and we're working through that right now.
This is one of those times where you give a little but take it back with higher size limits and only allowing harvest of one fish per season.
Even as big as Austin is it really only took 2-3 seasons to devastate that lake. The first year or two they opened it to spearing it wasn't so bad because many didn't even know about it. Once pictures started showing up on the internet and local bait shops and word got out it was all over. May take a year or two for them to catch on to Oster but once they do that lake is toast. Really is a shame.
"Will Schultz" said:
This isn't really expanded spearing. This was a reduction of lakes on the banned list, most consisted of old tiger lakes that don't need the closure. There are some lakes in the UP that were removed and we're working through that right now.This is one of those times where you give a little but take it back with higher size limits and only allowing harvest of one fish per season.
You're usually right. I hope u keep on track for this one. I'll trust your judgement.
"Smada962" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"]
This is one of those times where you give a little but take it back with higher size limits and only allowing harvest of one fish per season.
So does that mean there's a decent chance of those proposed regulations going through?
Most in the DNR support one/season. The higher size limit across the board is going to be a little more difficult but we'll be working on that in December.
I don't remember….is the one fish per year going to be a "tag" system? Otherwise, you could take one per day? I'm sure this has been discussed, but is the DNR opposed to a tag system? I think most Muskie fisherman and spearers alike would gladly throw ten dollars at it. Just seems like a great money maker to support stocking costs. I feel that outside of the broodstock lakes (not to mention Indian River Chain and Torch and Intermediate Chains should be protected until supplemental stocking occurs) then those could handle one fish per angler per year too. There are a lot of unknowns for the future and taking that into consideration I must agree IF the big things change……. I guess opening a few more lakes to the spear is a necessary EVIL 👿
"Adam Minnick" said:
The tag idea is still on the table and has strong support by one of the "higher ups" in the DNR. The tag would be free and printed with any fishing license.
"Adam Minnick" said:
I would love to see a $5 charge for the tag, we could give $1 to Snyder and put the rest into wolf lake [smilie=2thumbsup.gif]
If i remember right that was also a major reason I can't shoot doves in this state too! and they are tasty too 👿
That and PETA payed for a bunch of advertising that claimed it would enable them to freely remove any species from the list of game animals, but i think the tag was a big part of it.
Anyone know why they still have doves on the HIP survey btw???
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