Weekly Fishing Tip: New to fly fishing? Buying equipment doesn't have to be intimidating! 
Many would-be anglers find fly fishing to be a tad intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Part of the intimidation relates to purchasing the necessary equipment, which can get quite expensive. But there are really just a few items you need to make your experience successful!
Obviously the rod is most critical component needed. Many sources encourage anglers to find an option between $100 and $200. The next critical component is the reel, available as a separate purchase from the rod or bought together as a combo. The last necessary item you will need is fly line!
Additional equipment you might need when fly fishing include something to cut the fly line (such as fingernail clippers), polarized sunglasses so you can see better into the water you are fishing, and a hat with a brim to protect you from the elements. You should include a selection of both dry and wet flies in an easy-to-access container, needle-nose pliers or a hemostat to help remove the hook, and a license valid for the area you are fishing. Also, unless you have a boat you most likely will need to get into the water when fly fishing so waders will be necessary to have as well. And don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray!
Want even more info on fly fishing in Michigan? Check out the DNR’s How-To Go Fly Fishing website!
Multiple openers kick Michigan fishing season into high gear
Michigan Department of Natural Resources would like to remind anglers to dust off their fishing gear and get ready for the opening of two fishing seasons Saturday, April 25. The statewide trout season and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye, northern pike and muskellunge seasons all open that day. Anglers are reminded that in Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye, northern pike and muskellunge seasons open Friday, May 15.
Please note, due to recent regulation changes the catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is now open all year on all waters (unless otherwise closed to fishing). The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 23, except for Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open Saturday, June 20.
Fishing is a major economic driver in many parts of the state. Each year in Michigan, anglers typically spend 28 million days on the water and generate $4.4 billion in economic activity which generates $623 million in local, state and federal tax revenue. On top of that, sportfishing in Michigan is estimated to support nearly 38,000 jobs.
The new license season began April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new fishing license for this fishing season. The 2015 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2016.
The 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online. Visit the DNR website at michigan.gov/fishingguide for more information.
Michigan 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.
“Eliminating the weight requirement for part of the Master Angler program really helps to streamline both the application and the verification process – especially as anglers will no longer have to find a certified scale to have their catch weighed,” explained Lynne Thoma, the program’s coordinator. “We hope this change will make it even easier for anglers to have their large fish recognized.”
In addition to the change to the category criteria, some changes were made to the submission procedures. A witness signature is no longer required and each application must have a color photo submitted with it. Anglers can now submit their applications in hard-copy or electronic formats.
Please note, state-record fish still are recognized by weight and still require identification by a DNR fisheries biologist.
The 2015 Master Angler entry application is available online at www.michigan.gov/masterangler.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers to prepare for the statewide catch-and-keep bass-fishing season which opens this Saturday.
This season opener provides the perfect opportunity for anglers to partake in world-class bass fishing. In April, Bassmaster magazine produced its list of the 100 best bass lakes of 2014 – of which six locations were in Michigan.
The six locations on Bassmaster’s list included Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan (No. 9), Lake St. Clair (No. 16), Burt Lake (No. 39), Thunder Bay, Lake Huron (No. 43), Mullet Lake (No. 46) and Lake Charlevoix (No. 82). This annual, national list is developed courtesy of information from every state’s natural resources agency, B.A.S.S. Nation presidents and conservation directors, and B.A.S.S. members.
Please note the catch-and-keep bass season for Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River does not open until Saturday, June 21.
“We’re always thrilled to see Michigan water bodies recognized as top bass-fishing destinations in the country,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “For these locations to be recognized by bass experts from across the country really proves the value of the state’s fisheries.”
For more information on Michigan's and other states' rankings, see Bassmaster’s complete 2014 list of the 100 best bass lakes at www.bassmaster.com/top100.
Just a reminder that Michigan's new license season began April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new fishing license for this fishing season. The 2014 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2015. Please note, anglers are not required to purchase a base license when purchasing a fishing license.
For more information on fishing for bass in Michigan, including rules and regulations, check out the 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide available at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide.
