After almost two years of hard work, the Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation saw the passage of part of its June 2013 Michigan bass season proposal when the Michigan Natural Resources Commission voted unanimously at its public meeting, April 9, to approve a new year-round, statewide catch-and-immediate-release bass season.
Anglers can now fish for bass in Michigan 365 days a year except on a few limited waters closed to all fishing.
“I’m happy to see all Michigan bass anglers now have the opportunity to fish for bass any day they can get out,” said Dan Kimmel, Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director.
“The social websites are on fire with messages from excited and happy anglers saying they will get out to enjoy some good Michigan bass season as soon as possible,” Kimmel added.
Although no additional tournament opportunity was provided by this rule change, Jim Dexter, fisheries division chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the NRC Commissioners committed to select 10 to 15 inland lakes for a spring 2016 catch-and-delayed-release study to see how additional tournament activity would affect Michigan bass populations.
The new Michigan Fisheries Order 215.15 takes immediate effect, so bass anglers can get out bass fishing in Michigan today.
Kimmel, along with state chapter president Paul Sacks, would like to thank the following organizations and businesses for support in passing this new regulation: Michigan United Conservation Clubs, B.A.S.S., Hammond Bay Area Anglers Association, Michigan Steelhead & Salmon Fishermen’s Association, Great Lakes Council International Federation of Fly Fishers, Saginaw Field & Stream Club, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, Michigan Bow Hunters, The Bass Federation of Michigan, D&R Sports Center and Sportsmen’s Direct.
“We thank the Michigan Department of Resources for working with us to pass this new fishing regulation change,” said Kimmel and state chapter president Paul Sacks in a joint statement, “and we are encouraged that they will continue to increase fishing to all anglers in our great state of Michigan.”