Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced the release of the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide, which includes rules and regulations effective April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Copies of the guide can be obtained at any location where fishing licenses are sold.
This year’s guide is the third year the DNR has implemented improvements geared toward the request of anglers. The 2015 guide is printed on higher-quality paper to better withstand the wear and tear of fishing in Michigan, is of a smaller physical size (better able to fit in anglers’ tackle boxes), and includes an easier-to-read font size.
This is the first year the DNR solicited photos from the public for potential use on the cover of the fishing guide. This year’s selected photo was of the Muskegon River and was submitted by Amber LeClear. The DNR will collect potential cover photos for the 2016 guide as well; interested individuals should send theirs to DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov. The DNR is looking for photos that focus on places to fish, not so much on people or fish species.
The 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide also is available in a user-friendly, electronic format online at michigan.gov/fishingguide.
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.
On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, everyone in Michigan – including residents and non-residents – can fish without a license, but all other fishing regulations still apply. Those two days make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote 
Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own, there are many organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well. Some of these events include:
- 4th Annual Fishing Fest in DetroitThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from noon to 4 p.m. Come to Milliken State Park for an afternoon of fun, including free food, free fishing rod rental, games and activities, instruction and much more. All gear is provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 10th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament in CheboyganThis event will be held Saturday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit the DNR’s Cheboygan Field Office for this annual event geared toward kids age 16 and younger. Participants should be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing rod and life jacket. Bait is provided.
- Kids’ Fishing Contest at Goodrich Park in Muskegon CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join the White Lake Area Sportfishing Association in Whitehall for this free event. Participants will be broken up into three age groups and will compete for prizes.
- Rice Lake Fishing Derby at Lake Linden in Houghton CountyThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsmen's Association as they host a family fishing day. Prizes will be awarded for walleye and northern pike caught during the derby. Raffles and refreshments also will be provided.
- River Day throughout St. Clair CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. River Day is a weekend full of free, fun activities on the land and in the water across the rivers of St. Clair County. This event is organized by the St. Clair County Health Department.
There are many more events scheduled in various locations throughout the state in more than 25 Michigan counties. For more information about the 2014 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
Michigan has celebrated the Summer Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1986. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, more than 11,000 inland lakes, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.
