New Great Lakes Fishing Decree Starts in Michigan

Updated guidelines for co-managed fishery resources in Michigan’s Great Lakes take effect for the next 24 years. The new Great  Lakes Fishing Degree was approved in August 2023 by the U.S. District Court of Western Michigan. Since the decree gained approval, the state of Michigan and tribal governments have been preparing to implement the new provisions. The new decree is the third since 1985, and dictates who can fish where when, and how, and what can be brought home or sold.

DNR Fisheries Division Tribal coordination unit Manger Dave Caroffino says that the updates were necessary to ensure fishing regulation consistency, especially as fishing patterns have changed since the last Great Lakes Fishing Decree in 2000. Additionally, Michigan tribes and the state will implement a new electronic reporting system to improve data collection from commercial fisheries, wholesale fish dealers, and charter captains.

DNR Great Lakes Enforcement Unit Supervisor Nick Torsky says that anglers may see commercial nets in locations they are not used to and suggests viewing updated maps within the decree to understand where commercial nets may be located. Commercial nets are marked with buoys that extend 4 feet above the water surface with an orange flag. Anglers should give commercial nets a wide berth to not interfere with catches.

Find more details on the 2023 Great Lakes Fishing Decree with the Michigan DNR and Tribal nations, here.