Michigan Trout Unlimited
MICHIGAN Trout
Proposed MDNR Trout Regulation Changes for 2022
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by Dr. Bryan Burroughs, Michigan TU Executive Director
Summer 2021
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is forwarding various possible regulation changes to take effect for the 2022 fishing season. Typically, the MDNR reviews proposed regulation changes coming from staff or the public and then presents them to the Natural Resources Commission for discussion and public comment with ultimate decisions made by the NRC. The NRC has monthly meetings posted with agendas on the MDNR – NRC website, and public comment is accepted in writing or person at the meetings. If you have opinions or information concerning any of these, Michigan TU encourages you to contact either the MDNR Fisheries Division or the NRC directly. This overview is not a comprehensive list of all proposed changes. Fisheries Order (FO) 200 This order is a single document that includes all regulations for trout, salmon, cisco, and whitefish in the state. Due to the size of the order and complexities, a split is proposed into four separate fisheries orders. FO 200 will become solely the “stream regulations” order. FO 252 will be the whitefish, cisco, smelt, and grayling regulations order. Trout and salmon in the Great Lakes will be regulated in FO 253, and FO 254 will cover inland lakes trout and salmon. This realignment should increase the clarity and transparency of future changes to regulations.
Definition of “Flies-only” The MDNR is not proposing changes to the definition of “artificial flies” this year. However, with the advent of new forms of “flies” or tackle that push the limits of convention, this issue is a priority. Currently, the definition relies upon terms like “commonly accepted flies.” Dual hooks, tinsel, rubber legs, heavily weighted streamers, trout beads, hot glue eggs, rubber eggs, or squirmy wormy type “flies” create a debate about the current definition and causes issues for law enforcement. Is it the material, weight, method of attachment to a hook, or type of hook that matters in defining what a fly is? While no proposed changes are occurring this year, the topic is under discussion for the future. Individual River or Lake Changes A variety of specific regulation modifications are proposed. The following is a summary. a. Bowens Creek, Manistee Co., change from Type 1 to Type 4 regulations. b. Bear River, Emmet Co., boundary change. c. Hurricane River, Alger Co., change from Type 4 with split to Type 3 and Type 1. d. Lake Charlevoix, change from Type E to F.
Jordan River
e. Camp Eight Lake, Luce Co., change Type B to C.
The MDNR is forwarding to the NRC a proposal for trout regulation changes to the Jordan River presented by the Friends of the Jordan organization. Currently, the river is split into two regulations, Type 1 from Graves Crossing upstream and Type 4 from Graves Crossing downstream. The proposed changes would move the boundary line upstream to the Lower Jordan River Road Crossing with Type 2 regulation replacing Type 1. Type 4 would be replaced with Type 3 from that crossing downstream to Lake Charlevoix.
f.
Expanded Spearfishing Proposal There is a proposal to allow spearfishers to legally harvest a daily bag limit of northern pike, lake trout, and walleye on Great Lakes waters. Steelhead Harvest Limits There are currently no proposals being forwarded by the MDNR to alter the bag limit of steelhead. There is, however, growing concern over observed declines in some steelhead runs. The MDNR lacks sufficient data on adult steelhead run sizes and angling behavior (creel surveys), making it difficult to assess trends or evaluate appropriate management actions adequately. The MDNR is taking a closer look at this issue but has not proposed any regulation changes.
Bright Lake, Crawford Co., change Type A to B.
g. A couple of lakes in the Upper Peninsula are being removed from trout lake designation as stocking has ceased due to loss of public access since the property was privately acquired. h. There are a modest number of small lakes, many in the U.P., and a few in the Lower, that are being removed from trout lake designation due to a shift away from stocking and management as trout lakes. These are lakes that need occasional rotenone treatments to support trout. However, increased costs of the chemical have led the MDNR to discontinue maintaining them as trout lakes. Again, these are proposals, and the public is invited to provide input to the MDNR Fisheries Division staff and directly to the NRC during deliberations. Typically, the NRC posts proposed changes on their agendas the first month as “For Information Only” and the second month as “For Action.” Public comment is allowed during either meeting, but NRC decision-making typically occurs following the “For Action” meeting.
