The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently stocked adult trout in the Clinton River at Riverside Park, Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area, and Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area.The Clinton River was stocked with just over 900 brown trout from 11 to 15 inches and 150 rainbow trout ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The Huron River was stocked with 1,800 brown trout sized 11 to 21 inches and nearly 1,200 rainbow trout sized 15 to 21 inches. Spring Mill Pond was stocked with nearly 350 brown trout sized 11 to 21 inches and nearly 600 rainbow trout sized 15 to 21 inches.
This annual stocking activity uses unneeded brown and rainbow trout broodstock from Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. Every year there are some surplus adult trout in the hatchery system, which are stocked in special regulation areas.
Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing Oct. 1 through March 31. April 1 through April 29, anglers are limited to flies-only, catch-and-release fishing. Youth under the age of 12 may keep one fish between 8 and 12 inches. Beginning April 30, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five trout over 8 inches, but only three over 15 inches.
Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing March 15 through March 31. April 1 through April 29, anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch-and-release fishing. Youth under the age of 12 may keep one fish between 8 and 12 inches. Beginning April 30, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five fish over 8 inches, but only three fish over 15 inches.
The Clinton River upstream of Dequindre Road is not classified as a trout stream. Therefore, trout fishing is open year-round with an 8-inch minimum size limit and a five-fish daily possession limit, no more than three of which may be 15 inches or greater.
See the 2016-2017 Michigan Fishing Guide for complete regulation details. For more information about this stocking effort, please contact the DNR offices at Proud Lake (248-685-2433) or Island Lake (810-229-7067) or the DNR’s Waterford Fisheries Office (248-666-7445).
