With April here, a new fishing season has begun in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the new fishing license year began on Wednesday, and fishermen are advised to read up on the latest regulations before hitting the water. Lucas Nathan is with the DNR Fisheries Division and tells us there are a few new rules on the books.
“We’ve added some clarification on the use of beads for trout and salmon fishing,” Nathan said. “There’s a new possession limit on burbot for statewide anglers. And also in the Great Lakes, there’s some expanded opportunities for underwater spearfishing.”
It’s estimated that fishing accounts for $3.9 billion in economic activity each year in the Great Lakes region. Nathan says there are a lot of fishermen in Michigan, looking forward to a new season.
“We have about 1.1 to 1.2 million licensed anglers on an annual basis, so certainly a large number of Michigan citizens that are out there, as well as residents from around the country that come to Michigan to fish. It’s a very big industry and a very big pastime, and there’s people out there fishing for a wide number of species that Michigan has to offer.”
Nathan says to get a fishing license, go to the DNR’s website, use the state’s hunt and fish app, or go to a licensed dealer. An annual fishing license in Michigan is $26 this year.