Spearfishing could return to Houghton Lake
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05/30/12 By Kathleen Gray Detroit Free Press Staff
LANSING — They jokingly yelled "Save the Fishes!"
But in the end, all 110 members of the state House of Representatives voted today to repeal the prohibition on spearfishing in Houghton Lake.
The mid-Michigan lake is the only one in the state where spearfishing was banned, according to an analysis of the bill.
But the hobby is a popular attraction for anglers, especially in winter for fisherman (and women) hoping to snag some pike.
The Department of Natural Resources reported that the pike population in Houghton Lake is healthy and could sustain spearfishing.
The law, which banned spearfishing, also included penalties including a fine of between $10 and $100 and a jail term of up to 90 days.
The bill still has to go to the state Senate for consideration.
Here's a little background from the fisheries chief:
We were approached by MUCC probably a year ago this as our last regs issues with the spearing/bowfishing were gearing up. We had CLMMU staff consult the Houghton Lake Association and they were supportive. This was not a rule change we could make through Fish Orders as the language appears in Statute and the legislature had to do the work. DNR was supportive. The Statute has been in affect for over 50 years and we had no records as to why it was in place. All said, this was a good chip for the greater statewide changes that were enacted and are being considered for NOP and MUS.
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