Michigan Muskie Alliance attended the Warmwater Resources Steering Committee (WRSC) meeting on 2/05/18, in Clare, MI. The meeting was well attended with only a minimal number attending by phone. Several important topics were covered.

The topics on the agenda consisted of:


1. Michigan Darkhouse Angling Association proposal to allow a trial spearing season on Lake St. Clair from February 1 – February 7.

This proposal was brought to the NRC last year. The NRC asked the fisheries division to review and make a recommendation. The first step in this process is for the WRSC members to provide input and for each representative to give a yes or no to support the proposal and why or why not if they feel necessary. The discussion from committee members went as expected with support from groups such as MUCC, BASS Nation, MI Bowfishing Association as well as a couple surprises such as D&R Sports of Kalamazoo. Some of the groups that supported had some misguided opinions based on what they think they know about muskie spearing. This was largely related to the success rate of spearing and how rare it was to see or spear a muskie. MMA tried to illustrate that it is exceedingly rare to see or spear a muskie where spearing is open as those populations have been damaged by spearing. Additionally this support was stated by these groups in spite of data presented by the fisheries division that they have concerns about the trend in increased angler hours and decline in catch rate based on charter reporting on St Clair. In their supporting statement MUCC did state they would support this proposal but also took the position that if the season was put in place and exploitation was too high they would support removing the season.


2. Fishing Tournament Information System update and discussion of additional species.

You may recall that after the meeting in February last year that the tournament reporting would be applied to all tournaments regardless of species. That has changed and it will remain bass tournaments only this year and in 2019 will expand to walleye, muskie for sure and likely rough fish (bow fishing tournaments). MMA will have some additional discussion with the fisheries division to ensure that the info they want to gather is something we normally gather and that it's relevant.  


3. Chemical aquatic nuisance weed treatments.

This has been something that MMA has asked the fisheries division to address for many years. To sum it up, there's nothing the fisheries division can do until things change in statute. The DEQ is in control of what permits are issued. By statute they can't have more than 6 staff, which means they don't have enough staff to review all permits, which means every permit is issued. The legislature needs to get involved and make changes before anything will happen. As anglers, we're up against a group in the weed treatment business that is well represented and good at lobbying according to Jay Wesley. Fisheries division and DEQ have set up a workgroup, which is great, but in reality all they can do is talk about it since the legislature is really in control of changing statute. This is a huge fight that MMA couldn't handle on it's own but MMA definitely needs to offer assistance.


4. Walleye Management Plan update.

As they've done with muskie and pike, the fisheries division is working on a walleye management plan that concentrates on inland waters. The reason it concentrates on inland waters is because there are already action plans in place for the Great Lakes and connecting waters. The goal of the fisheries team working on this is to have it completed for management and peer review by fall of 2018. 

5. Scented bait prohibition on various waterbodies.
This was an interesting discussion concerning some artificial only lakes, some no-kill lakes and some trout lakes. Soft plastics that are scented (powerbait, gulp, etc) are not allowed on these waters. The main concern seems to be that with this is that it could expand to other forms of fishing and an eventual ban on soft plastics. Which seems like a stretch since these are very specific waters but it was discussed anyway. Committee members gave feedback and the fisheries division will evaluate.



5. Scented bait prohibition on various waterbodies.

This was an interesting discussion concerning some artificial only lakes, some no-kill lakes and some trout lakes. Soft plastics that are scented (powerbait, gulp, etc) are not allowed on these waters. The main concern seems to be that with this is that it could expand to other forms of fishing and an eventual ban on soft plastics. Which seems like a stretch since these are very specific waters but it was discussed anyway. Committee members gave feedback and the fisheries division will evaluate.

6. Yellow Perch Regulations


There is a review of current perch bag limits from 50 to 25 statewide (select areas and waters are below 50 currently). This makes sense based on the data reviewed and that a very small percentage of anglers take 50 where possible. There has been angler feedback as well asking for a reduction. Interesting note here, it was stated they've found stunted perch populations are not impacted buy angling and size structure is only impacted by a good predator prey balance. 


Michigan Muskie Alliance has been an active member of the Michigan DNR Warmwater Resources Steering Committee since 2002.