sb 869

[fuzzygrub1611]

 WE WIN!!!!! SB 869 was passed by the house and sent back to the Senate. Great job Dan and others!

[Big dreams]

Does this mean no more closed season?  Or is there more to come?

[Genie]

Does this happen now - not needed as season is only a week away.  Or, is this just a done deal for 2015?

[Waterfoul]

It would start in 2015... provided they get it all done and approved in time to make the 2015 version of the of the state Fishing Guide.

[gmetime24]

Will we still have a portion of the season be catch and release??

[djkimmel]

All SB 869 does is REMOVE the old bass season limits from state law clearing up the technicality of those limits so now the Natural Resources Commission has the necessary authority to create whatever bass season we can get through the public meeting process and the NRC process over the next few months.

The existing bass seasons still live in active Fisheries Orders. The NRC has the authority to issue Fisheries Orders (as long as we win the www.citizenswildlife.com petition drive!).

There should be 2 or 3 options coming out shortly that will go very soon to public meetings around the state. We will need to make sure the meetings are well attended, and represent a consistent front.

Then the MDNR will take the feedback from the public meetings to come up with the final option that goes to the NRC for a reading at one meeting - maybe September and then the NRC can vote on it the next meeting - hopefully October - to potentially create a new bass season Fisheries Order to replace the old Fisheries Orders and seasons.

I will have a report shortly on the last meeting about options. I can share that all options that came out of that Warmwater Resources Steering Committee process likely to be presented to the public contained some version of year-round bass fishing.

If there are no snags or surprises we should have a new bass season for 2015 and likely a year-round season of some type.

There is still work to do through the MUCC state convention resolution process in June, and the upcoming public meetings and NRC meetings.

AND we have to get this petition drive over the 300,000 signature hump ASAP - only a few days left - and make sure we've raised enough money so we get the Michigan Legislature to also pass the complete Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act so the NRC KEEPS the authority to name fish and game species, and manage them scientifically or they may lose the authority to change our bass season in the November elections. Which would suck to put it lightly...

We do all of these things over the next few months and maybe we earn a year-round bass season. Maybe a really good year-round bass season.

Oh, and technically we need 2 things to still happen with SB 869 - the Senate needs to enroll the bill in their journal - considering the awesome support we have in the Senate with Senator Hansen and other leaders I expect no problem there.

Then, Governor Snyder needs to sign the bill into law. I expect that to happen based on comments the Governor made several times last year including when he and I briefly talked last May, when he went fishing with MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough in September and when he met with Kevin VanDam in October.

I have an awesome helper who is going to try to touch base with the Governor tomorrow as a check. I will be calling the Governor's office tomorrow and I will talking to his staffers. I think we will have it covered. We continue to have discussions with various people about a possible new quality public access site on Belle Isle too.

Things are looking real good. Better than they have ever looked. And tons of people and groups are helping. Just be prepared for the public meetings soon.

[gmetime24]

Great job Dan! This is some pretty exiting stuff, do you have an idea and where the public meetings will be held?

[djkimmel]

Not yet for the public meetings. The various fishing groups asked that they be spread out well around all parts of the state so everyone has a chance to make a meeting. I will definitely share a schedule as soon as it's available. Need you all there! And there. And there.

[motocross269]

 

[rkillick]

Sweet this will open up a bunch of tournament fishing activities haha. Lets just hope they dont throw some crazy culling rules into the mix...

[djkimmel]

We're working on that too (culling / possession definition) - mostly the MDNR Fisheries Division is doing that without being asked directly, which is nice.

Chief Jim Dexter read the draft definitions to me a week or two ago and they sounded pretty good. He hopes to have all the new definitions and clarifications done this fall in time for the 2015 season.

[JBASS]

Why would we want to start the catch and kill season any earlier in the state of Michigan if I understand this right?
Or is this all catch and release before MD weekend proposed bill?

[djkimmel]

The Senate Bill 869 does not change the bass season. There are Fisheries Orders that still exist covering our present season.

Last May we passed Public Act 21 which gave the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) authority to issue Fisheries Orders along with other clarifications on their authority for managing fish and game in Michigan using sound science working with the MDNR, other experts and user groups. Public Act 21 helped to fix some issues that kept us from fully enacting all of the intentions of Proposal G that was passed with the support of 63% of Michiganders for scientific management way back in 1996.

SB 869 fixes just one technical issue where state law still exists that conflicts with the authority given to the NRC. The NRC can't create a longer bass season if it is scientifically supported unless we remove the specific bass season earliest opening days from state law.

Once Governor Snyder signs SB 869 the NRC will have the flexibility to make whatever bass season we get out the public meeting process when added to all the previous discussion and work. There should be 2, maybe 3 options for the public to review. I don't have final language yet from the MDNR. All of the options have scientific support to back them up but as usual some social management (what people think verses actual science) will have an effect on the final outcome.

[JBASS]

In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others  I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...

[djkimmel]

In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others  I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...

Gun Lake not getting chosen during the test catch-and-release season starting in 1988 had nothing to do with science. I spoke at most of those meetings and heard what people had to say. The past is the past. Things are starting to get real now and happen a little differently. Finally...

I explained what SB 869 will do above. That's all there is to SB 869. There is other work to do yet in getting the bass season options to public meetings soon, and also through MUCC at their June state convention with a similar resolution.

Everyone who chooses to will get a chance to voice their opinions yet at the public meetings once they are scheduled and announced. If you read through the posts on the Michigan Bass Season forum on this website you can find out more.

PS: the MDNR is now officially on record at two government hearings as stating we can have a longer bass season because our bass populations can support it. Their statement is referred to under the Michigan Bass Season forum or you can quickly find the article under Conservation news - www.greatlakesbass.com/conservation - MDNR Says Earlier Bass Season Good For Michigan

As far as what any MDNR person told anyone in the past, as I just said above - the past is the past. Things are different now.

[Genie]

In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others  I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...

This is the thinking we need to change.

[djkimmel]

Well, depending on who you talked to in the MDNR in many years past I could see how you can think things like that if you don't have the time to do independent research to confirm things.

As I say though, the past is the past. The future is now maybe and I hope we can convince enough people of that.

We'll find out soon I think at public meetings near you. And you. And you. And me...

[djkimmel]

Plus... that was 25 years ago. Things do change... slowly... very slowly.

Lately, they seem to be picking up speed though.

[JBASS]

All I said was that I use to be in the know when I was very active in making a catch and release season in Michigan and helping the DNR with fish management.
Please do not beat me up for being concerned about our fishery here in Michigan as I think it is one of the best places in the country for bass fishing.

[Team houston]

I don't think anyone is beating you up. As Dan stated the MDNR has used SCIENCE to prove we can have longer seasons. The Memorial Sat opening was chosen MANY years ago without any science being used.