By Louie Stout
If a new proposal gets through Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meetings over the next month, anglers could be fishing legally for bass as early as April 10 this year.
The DNR announced it has revamped original proposals that it presented at public hearings over the past year and will present a hybrid version at this months NRC meeting.
The new plan will be heard at the March 19th meeting in Lansing.
It would allow year-round catch-and-release fishing and provide opportunities for pre-registered, catch-and-delayed-release bass tournaments beginning the last Saturday in April until the regular season opens Memorial Day weekend in the Lower Peninsula, and the third Saturday in June on Lake St. Clair. The harvest season would remain as it currently stands.
If the proposal receives support at the March 19th meeting, it likely will be up for an NRC vote at the April 9 meeting in Lansing and could go into effect as early as April 10.
For bass tournaments to qualify for the delayed release tournaments, tournament organizers would be required to file for eligibility through the Michigan Fishing tournament Information System on the DNRs website. Each tournament participant must be issued a verification document and tournament directors would be required to report results to the DNR.
Specific details have yet to be worked out. A DNR document outlining the proposed Fisheries Order can be found here.