michigan dnr

Tips for Family Friendly Fishing in Michigan

May 17, 2013

With fresh water fish including trout, walleyes, salmon, perch, bass ready to bite, Michigan is home to the best catches a fishing trip can offer. And now with the Family Friendly Fishing Waters guide from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), it’s the perfect time to plan a family fishing trip in Pure Michigan.

Learn more about the new site from Elyse Walter of the DNR below, or visit michigan.org to plan your next trip.

How many times have you wanted to go fishing, but weren’t quite sure where to go? As a result, you never ended up taking that trip and missed out on Michigan’s outstanding freshwater fishing.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources understands one of the biggest barriers to getting folks to go fishing is finding suitable places to go. Preferably places an inexperienced angler can find easily, have a high likelihood of catching a fish, and offers simple amenities that enhance the trip. To overcome that barrier, we recently launched a new section of our website: Family Friendly Fishing Waters.

The Family Friendly Fishing Waters section of the website can be found at www.michigan.gov/fishing, and will connect interested individuals with local fishing opportunities. The page features a map of Michigan that’s quite simple for visitors to use – just click on the county you are interested in fishing and check out the list of family-friendly locations to fish. Every single county in Michigan has one or more locations featured.

Nearly all of the locations featured on the Family Friendly Fishing Waters website were submitted by the public and are considered easy for new anglers to access and use.

Each water body’s online profile includes its geographic location, driving directions, parking information, hours of operation, species of fish available, typical bait used, and much more.

Don’t see a water body in the county you love to fish? The DNR will continue to accept potential locations for future inclusion as well. The Family Friendly Fishing Waters online submission form can be found at www.michigan.gov/fishing.

So as you consider what to do for fun this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, perhaps you’ll finally have the tools necessary to plan that long-awaited fishing trip!

Elyse Walter is a communication specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She specifically works with the DNR’s Fisheries Division to help educate and promote the state’s fishing opportunities and aquatic resources.

Is your family planning a fishing trip in Michigan this summer? Share with us below!

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Stocking Steelhead in the Red Cedar River (Part 2)

April 19, 2013

in Fishing,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Last week, Elyse Walter of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources gave us a preview of what was in store for Michigan anglers in the East Lansing area in Part 1 of her post. Today, Elyse fills us in on details of the April 15^th event where 3,000 steelhead were stocked in the Red Cedar River at Michigan State University.

On Monday, April 15, nearly 3,000 steelhead (a variety of rainbow trout raised in captivity) were stocked in the Red Cedar River on Michigan State University’s campus. This activity marked an ordinance change by the MSU Board of Trustees this past December that now allows fishing on campus for the first time since the 1960s.

Because of this ordinance change, hook-and-line fishing is now allowed on the north bank of the Red Cedar River between the western edge of Brody Complex and the Sparty bridge. Previously the river was off limits for more than 50 years due to the entire campus of MSU being considered a preserve and therefore, hunting, fishing and gathering were off limits.

The steelhead stocking was conducted in an effort to enhance future angling opportunities on the Red Cedar. Numerous dignitaries were on hand to assist in the effort by dumping buckets of the six- to eight-inch-long steelhead fish directly into the river.

These dignitaries included: Sparty, MSU Trustee Dianne Byrum, MSU Acting Provost June Youatt, DNR Commissioner Tim Nichols, DNR Director Keith Creagh, Michigan Trout Unlimited’s Bryan Burroughs, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ Amy Trotter, former DNR directors Howard Tanner and Gordon Guyer, and various MSU students and faculty.

Monday’s stocking occurred at the bridge located off the southeast corner of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center’s parking ramp. The 3,000 steelhead that were released were part of the nearly 19 million fish the DNR will stock throughout the state this spring. The DNR uses stocking to restore, enhance and create new fishing opportunities in Michigan’s inland lakes, streams and the Great Lakes.

The steelhead recently put into the Red Cedar will now make their way to Lake Michigan and potentially return to the river to spawn in one to three years.

For interested anglers, fishing the Red Cedar River’s designated area will now be allowed during a three-year test period. Please note a fishing license is required to fish the Red Cedar River. If anglers plan to target trout and/or salmon they will need to purchase an All-Species license.

GO GREEN and pay MSU’s Red Cedar River a visit the next time you’re in town – you never know what you might catch!

Learn more about fishing opportunities around the state at michigan.org.

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The State of Michigan Celebrates Earth Day 2013

April 16, 2013

in Events

Earth Day is coming up on Monday, April 22, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ) is doing their part to celebrate and make a difference!

This Thursday, April 18, the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Natural Resources are coming together for the 2013 State of Michigan Earth Day Event at Constitution Hall in Lansing, Michigan. This event is both celebratory and educational, and feedback from teachers and schools has indicated that it’s been a highly valued learning experience for those who have participated in the past. In 2012, nearly 3,200 adults and students attended.

Thomas Occhipinti, Environmental Education Coordinator for the DEQ fills us in on what to expect at this year’s event:

The Program. The Earth Day itinerary runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring several performances from school groups to bands. Following a performance, Director Wyant and Deputies from each department open the celebration, interacting with students and recognizing the poster contest winners. The Detroit Audubon Society Safe Passages program will present the State with an award for saving birds by turning off lights in tall buildings.

The Exhibits. This event includes more than 50 interactive displays, developed and presented by the three departments and by organizations joining the celebration. Displays will be staged both throughout the Atrium level and under tents outside the building.

The Participants. More than 1,800 students, accompanied by 350 teachers and chaperones, from approximately 25 schools across Michigan will converge on Constitution Hall, to spend a portion of their day, learning how to protect the environment. Several hundred staff children from DEQ, MDARD, and DNR are expected to join the event.

The Kindergarten 1st Place Poster by Matthew Devine of Elmwood Elementary School in St. Clair Shores

The Posters. The 2013 Earth Day Poster Contest received more than 2,500 posters from 150 participating Michigan schools. The 12 Earth Day Poster Contest winners, their families, and their teachers will be recognized and awarded prizes. Prize donations have been collected from a number of organizations.

A replicated set of the 12 winning posters is being matted and framed. This set of posters will be mounted and displayed somewhere in Constitution Hall. A second set will be provided to the winners’ schools. Original posters are returned to the families.

Trees. More than 2,000 tree seedlings to be given to Earth Day participants. An acre of trees can eliminate six tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year and produce four tons of oxygen.

Earth Day Michigan Activities. A portion of our Earth Day website includes a listing of many Earth Day celebrations throughout Michigan. You can go to a Michigan map, click on your region, and be linked to a list of Earth Day celebrations throughout the region.

Teacher Bags. Some 200 special bags have been prepared for teachers; they contain materials appropriate for use in the classroom.

Will you or your child be participating in the State of Michigan Earth Day Event on Thursday?

To find other Earth Day celebrations happening across the state, visit michigan.org or michigan.gov.

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Stocking Steelhead in the Red Cedar River

April 8, 2013

in Fishing,Outdoors

Get your fishing lines ready, Michigan anglers! On Monday, April 15^th, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be stocking the Red Cedar River in East Lansing with 3,000 steelhead. Elyse Walter of the DNR fills us in on this new development.

This past December the Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved an ordinance change that would allow an activity to occur on campus that had been previously banned since the 1960s. The activity? Fishing from the shore of the Red Cedar River.

Banned more than 50 years ago, the river was previously off limits to shore fishing because the entire campus of MSU is considered a preserve and therefore, hunting, fishing and gathering were off limits. Additionally, there were safety concerns with fishing along the river bank and bridges due to the amount of pedestrian traffic.

But all that changed just a few months ago when the trustees approved an ordinance modification that permits hook-and-line fishing on campus grounds on the north bank of the river between the western edge of Brody Complex and the Sparty bridge.

To enhance future angling opportunities on campus – already plentiful with steelhead and suckers available in the spring, smallmouth bass available in the summer, salmon available in the fall, and a variety of other native species abundant – the DNR’s Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit worked on a management prescription to stock 3,000 steelhead in the river this spring.

On Monday, April 15 at approximately 11:30 a.m. the DNR will pay a visit to the Red Cedar River to do just that! The stocking will occur at the bridge located off the southeast corner of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center’s parking ramp. A variety of DNR and MSU officials will be participating in the stocking, as well as representatives from numerous constituent groups. Sparty will even mark the occasion with his fishing rod in hand!

Following this ordinance change, fishing the Red Cedar River’s designated area will be allowed during a three-year test period. A fishing license is required to fish the Red Cedar River. If anglers plan to target trout and/or salmon they will need to purchase an All-Species license.

Do you bleed green? Consider paying a visit to MSU’s Red Cedar River and partaking in a little fishing to show your Spartan pride!

Learn more about fishing opportunities around the state at michigan.org.

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Looking for a “reel” good time in Michigan this winter? Try going fishing!

January 30, 2013

in Events,Fishing,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Love fishing but never thought to do it in the winter? Elyse Walter of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources tells us why winter could be the perfect time to explore fishing in Michigan. Read her thoughts below and let us know in the comments section where you like to go ice fishing in Michigan.

For more on Michigan’s fisheries, visit michigan.org or the Pure Michigan Fishing tab on Facebook.

Michigan’s world-class fisheries are known throughout the country, if not the world, with many anglers pursuing them throughout the year. These fisheries are even on proud display during the state’s legendary winter months – a time of year many anglers proclaim to be the best time to go fishing.

If you’re new to ice fishing, don’t be intimated by the idea of heading out in the cold! The DNR has lots of information online to educate you about the kind of equipment you’ll need and the various safety precautions you’ll need to take.

If you already go ice fishing each winter, consider taking on a new challenge by targeting a different fish. Popular winter species include bluegill, crappie, smelt, walleyes and yellow perch (among others).

Learn about these fishes and gain some tips on how to catch them in the winter by checking out the “Michigan Fishes and How to Catch Them” section of the DNR’s website.

Still not convinced winter is a great time to head outdoors to go fishing? What if you didn’t have to purchase a Michigan fishing license to test the waters?

That’s the case this February as the 2013 Winter Free Fishing Weekend arrives Saturday, 16 and Sunday, February 17. During those two days anyone – residents and non-residents alike – can fish all waters without purchasing a license, although all regulations do still apply.

The DNR coordinates the Winter Free Fishing Weekend each year (and has since 1994) as an opportunity to showcase the great angling opportunities available in Michigan, but alleviating some of the financial investment needed to get involved. It’s the perfect time to discover the state’s winter water wonderland.

Consider exploring the wealth of fishing opportunities Michigan offers this winter. Start planning your next fishing trip at www.michigan.gov/fishing!

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