Adjusting daily possession limits to allow for harvesting smaller fish in select lakes and removing an unnecessary spawning closure are part of updated northern pike regulations now in effect following Michigan Natural Resources Commission action earlier this week.
During its Oct. 14 meeting, the NRC enacted regulation changes to Fisheries Orders 204 and 206, effective Oct. 15, 2026. These changes are expected to boost fishing opportunities. The NRC – a public body whose members are appointed by the governor – has the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish in Michigan.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries managers use fish survey data to determine which regulations should apply to a waterbody and recommend changes to the NRC when necessary to benefit the resource and angling community. Here are additional details about each of these fisheries order updates:
Fisheries Order 204
Otsego Lake pike marsh (Otsego County), which was previously closed to fishing from March 16 – June 15 to protect fish during spawning migrations, is now open year-round. Spawning closures prohibit all fishing activity on specific waters to protect fish during spawning migrations. The pike marsh has not been operational since the early 2000s, and so a spawning closure is no longer necessary. Ending this unnecessary closure increases angler opportunities and simplifies regulations.
Fisheries Order 206
Au Sable Lake (Ogemaw County), Clear Lake (Mecosta County), Gibson Lake (Iron County) and Hanbury Lake (Dickinson County) are now on the list of waters with a daily possession limit of up to five northern pike, with only one of these fish 24 inches or greater allowed. Data from these waters indicate a slow-growing northern pike population, meaning fewer larger fish are present. Allowing anglers to harvest smaller pike increases angler opportunities, and both anglers and law enforcement officials supported this change.
Please note that these regulation changes are not reflected in the printed version of the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations. Anglers are reminded to check the digital version of the regulations online at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for the most current regulatory information.
