Catch and Release Bass Fishing is Now Legal Year-round in Michigan

[djkimmel]

The Natural Resources Commission voted today to approve Fisheries Order 215.15 making catch-and-immediate-release bass fishing legal year-round in Michigan effective immediately. The regular bass seasons do not change so there is no new bass tournament opportunity, only catch and release. But there is no longer a closed statewide bass season.

You can go bass fishing tomorrow, April 10th if you like. And every day afterwards.

Go enjoy it!

[kram1982]

Thank you for all your hard work on this Dan! Much appreciated!

[djkimmel]

You're welcome. It was a definite team effort.

[Manxfishing]

So, Will the sun still rise today?

Seems like there was allot of peeing and moaning over nothing.
I'm betting the birds will still sing, the sun will rise and the bass will swim in the lakes
Just like they have in the past

Thank you,











 

[fishstick]

Thanks for all the hard work Dan! Looking forward to Saturday!

[21XDC]

 

[djkimmel]

Me too! Thanks guys!

[djkimmel]

Both Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter and the Natural Resources Commissioners committed yesterday to looking at further possible bass fishing opportunities. Expect public meetings later this spring, early summer on a small number of inland waters to hold a 2016 spring test catch-and-delayed-release study on. Will need people to show up at the meetings in support of studying the issue so we have enough lakes to do a study on for a few seasons. Maybe they will add a few lakes if the bass show they can handle the additional fishing opportunity.

[MichiganBass80]

Ok, just so I am clear on this.  This includes Lake St. Clair and the great lakes right?  We are planning on heading to the Detroit river soon (possibly this week) to go Walleye fishing. So If I wanted to to I could run up to St Clair or Down to Erie and target smallies, correct?

[JMoney]

Here's a link

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/New_Fishing_Regulations_for_2015-2016_-_additional_info_486671_7.pdf

[djkimmel]

Ok, just so I am clear on this.  This includes Lake St. Clair and the great lakes right?  We are planning on heading to the Detroit river soon (possibly this week) to go Walleye fishing. So If I wanted to to I could run up to St Clair or Down to Erie and target smallies, correct?

It applies to all Michigan waters not otherwise closed to ALL fishing. That is only a few waters or some designated trout streams/ponds. The Great Lakes are now open year-round to catch-and-immediate-release bass fishing! Even Beaver Island area is now legal to catch and release bass before the late July 1st regular opener there.

[MichiganBass80]

AWESOME, thanks guys.  Time to go work on the boat and get it ready to go!!

[Crankinsmallies]

Nice Job Dan and everyone who made this happen.

[djkimmel]

Glad you're happy! That's what I aim for. Happy anglers.

[djkimmel]

If you don't see the change on the www.michigan.gov/fishingguide eregs official online regulations website try hitting refresh (F5) on your browser to see the updated version of the web page.

[Waterfoul]

No more guilty by bass boat!!!  What ever will we do???  No one to argue with anymore.  Except the uninformed who will insist we are lying!  LOL!!

[djkimmel]

They'll get it eventually as the news gets out. They'll have to check the online fishing guide for the latest rules www.michigan.gov/fishingguide

[Rangerman]

Thanks to Dan and all y'all for the hard work on no closed season I know it took a lot of hard work. Never could understand closed season any how

[djkimmel]

Us neither. It's a step in the right direction. More people can fish more often easier and that is good for the future of fishing. We have plenty of fish and the best way to keep it that way is to have lots of people fishing which is what pays for the fisheries management.