New Bag Limit for Salmon--2009

[Frank S]

Got a email from the DNR that stated that the limit on salmon will change to 5 on April 1, from the present 3. The total of 5 fish remains as it was, but the old rule allowed only 3 salmon, the other 2 had to be trout. The entire rule change and reasons are on the DNR website. This brings Michigan into line with the other Lake Michigan states, Wi., Ill., and In.

[The Bait Shop Guy]

That's great to hear Frank. Looks like Fin Addict is going to have to get a bigger fish board

[RudyG]

Frank... looked at the DNR website and can't find anything other than back when they were seeking input..."which they usually ignore".

Its great news but I can't find anything official? Can you post the link to the DNR info?

[RudyG]

OK... got the email also.. but nothing on there site yet... "no suprise"

here is the quote from the letter...

"On December 10, 2008, the
proposal to increase the DBL for salmon in all public waters, in combination with other
trout species, was approved and will become effective April 1, 2009."

[Fastcat]

Not on the site, probably wont until the 2009 regs appear. But you can find it on the NRC meeting minutes here Page 12 Kelly Smith, they then approved in during the December meeting.

[finaddict]

Here you go!



Thank you for taking time out of your valuable schedule to assist Fisheries Division
and the Department of Natural Resources in our request for your opinion of the
proposed change to a Statewide fishing regulation to increase the Daily Bag Limit
(DBL) for salmon in the Great Lakes. This proposal included increasing the DBL from
a maximum of 3 to maximum of 5 fish, in combination with other trout species. Your
input is highly valued and we considered each response in our formulation of the
final recommendation. We heard from nearly 300 interested citizens and approximately
70% of those responses were in favor of increasing the DBL for salmon to 5 fish per
day.

The proposed rule change to allow for up to 5 salmon per day (no more than 3 of the
5 can be brown trout, lake trout or steelhead) was discussed at three monthly
meetings of the Natural Resources Commission. The Michigan Charter Boat Association
and about 30% of the survey responses were not in favor of increasing the DBL for
various reasons. Each comment that we received along with the discussion we had
with anglers presented legitimate points of view, regardless of opinion. Because
this regulation does not have a major biological impact, we feel that alternate
views are important and that the decision should be primarily based on social
considerations. On December 10, 2008, the proposal to increase the DBL for salmon
in all public waters, in combination with other trout species, was approved and will
become effective April 1, 2009. However, this regulation change incorporates a new
management tool that provides an objective evaluation that will allow the Department
to modify the bag limit for salmon if fishing success and catch rates changes
significantly.

Fisheries Division staff spent a considerable amount of time assessing the comments
and concerns submitted by you and we used those comments in the development of a
suitable proposal to move forward with a regulation change. A proactive approach
(attached) was detailed in November that evaluated the catch per effort of Charter
anglers (fish caught per hour) for Chinook salmon over a 22 year period, and
assessed Charter anglers catching 3 or more Chinook salmon per day. Using our
established data from mandatory charter boat reporting for Lake Michigan, baselines
were established for catch rates (0.165 fish per hour) and angler success of
catching 3 or more salmon per day (13.1%) which represented "breaking points" based
on real data where the DBL could be changed.

Currently both of these benchmarks are being exceeded, which means that catch rates
and angler success is high. Under this new proactive approach, both of these
benchmarks will need to fall below their baseline values to change the regulation
(decrease the DBL back to three). If just one of the indicators drop below the
baseline, the regulation will remain in place for a 5 fish DBL in combination.
Likewise, if the regulations revert back to 3 fish (meaning both falling below
baseline levels), it will take both benchmarks to improve beyond their respective
baseline values in order for the Department to change the DBL back to 5.

This tool gives the Department the ability to be more proactive, providing
opportunity for annual review, and implement regulation changes as needed using this
predefined management tool. When fishing is really good and salmon abundance is
high, the 5 fish limit would likely be in effect. Conversely, when fishing is
really poor and there are perhaps not as many fish, the limit would revert to 3.
The Department will have the ability to make this assessment and consider a
regulation change each year based on that years fishery data.

A short briefing is attached that provides the context of evaluating these benchmarks.

[Double Tap]

This sounds pretty good Fin but if you recall, my best day on the water was 6salmon with three fishers on board. So-It'll be a few more trips before this boat will benefit! Maybe even this summer perhaps? Mike

[The Bait Shop Guy]

It'll be nice for the guys fishing jack cohos in the spring on Superior.

[RudyG]

That's the big plus, Chris. To drive all the way to Marquette from here and be limited to 6 coho's for two guys.. well.

Also.... two guys drive out to Fairport @ 3:30 in the morn., catch 6 fish in an hour and a half and are heading in at 6 am? Not complaining of the great action.. but will be nice to continue fishing.

[DooFighter]

Yes, this is good news, for sure. I can't say my boat will benefit from it regularly, but might be a few trips where we're into them good and can load up (for my new smoker!). I officially retract the negative comments I made earlier about a certain group regarding this issue.

Is the ice breaking up yet?