As the winter fishing season gets under way, the Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that department personnel again will be interviewing anglers about their fishing trips. The DNR appreciates anglers’ cooperation in obtaining critical data for fisheries management.

DNR creel clerks will briefly interview anglers to ask about how long they fished, what species they were targeting, what they caught, and where they live. In a few instances, the clerks will ask to measure or weigh fish and to take scale samples to gather key biological information on anglers’ catches. Read more

If you’re the kind of angler who researches the history of a reservoir to find hidden roadbeds or other structure or spends hours retying knots and pre-rigging Carolina rigs, you’ve moved past the realm of weekend angler to what is known as a “serious fisherman.” Because you mean business when you’re on the water, you want top-of-the-line gear – such as the Bass Pro Shops® Johnny Morris Signature Series Spinning Reels – to help you perform like a pro.

The Bass Pro Shops® Johnny Morris Signature Series Spinning Reel is a line of ultimate all-around spinning reels perfect for whether you’re chasing bass, walleye, crappie or trout.

With Mag Spool Technology™, the forged aluminum spool on each Johnny Morris Signature reel is 30 percent wider than standard spinning reels so it takes in more line with each revolution.  Fewer turns mean less line twist and better lay resulting in longer casts and extended life of the line. The 11-bearing system with Powerlock™ instant anti-reverse and super-smooth sealed carbon fiber drag powerfully control every fish that swims. Read more

The Department of Natural Resources urges anglers to use caution when planning trips on Michigan’s rivers and streams this winter. Winter fishing for trout and steelhead can be challenging and rewarding, but cold air temperatures can cause sudden and significant changes in flows in rivers and streams.

According to DNR fisheries biologist Kyle Kruger, temperature effects are most pronounced at times of very cold air temperatures, particularly below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if areas with extreme nighttime cold temperatures alternate with warmer days. Read more

The Department of Natural Resources has announced that the 2015 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake (Cheboygan County) will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. All anglers must register to participate in the lake sturgeon season. Read more

The Department of Natural Resources wants to remind everyone the annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15. That weekend, everyone – residents and non-residents alike – can fish Michigan waters without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

Michigan has celebrated the Winter Free Fishing Weekend every year since 1994 as a way to promote awareness of the state’s vast aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match. Read more

The Department of Natural Resources recently announced that, effective Jan. 1, 2015, multiple changes have been made to Michigan’s Master Angler program, which allows anglers to submit large fish they have caught for recognition. The program has been in place since 1973.

The Master Angler program recognizes two categories of catches: catch-and-keep and catch-and-immediate-release. Previously, the catch-and-keep category was determined by the weight of the fish caught, but that requirement has been removed and replaced with a length requirement. Now recognition in both categories will be awarded based on an established minimum length for each recognized species. Verified entries will receive the Master Angler patch. Only one patch will be awarded for both catch-and-keep and catch-and-immediate-release entries. No more than one patch per species will be awarded to each angler per year. Read more