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As the winter fishing season gets under way, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that fisheries staff again will be stationed at several locations throughout the state in order to interview them about their fishing trips. The DNR appreciates anglers’ cooperation in sharing feedback about their experiences, because that information provides critical data for fisheries management.
Through brief interviews, DNR fisheries assistants – commonly known as creel clerks – will ask anglers about how long they fished, what species they targeted, what they caught, and where they live. In a few instances, the clerks might ask to measure or weigh fish and take scale samples to gather key biological information on those fish.
These efforts are part of the DNR’s Statewide Angler Survey Program, a long-term monitoring program that tracks recreational fisheries across Michigan waters of the Great Lakes and selected inland waters. These data are vital to fisheries management across the state and are used to guide actions that include developing appropriate regulations, addressing habitat improvements and identifying fish stocking needs.
This winter creel clerks will interview anglers fishing Saginaw Bay, the Les Cheneaux Islands, Munising, Au Train, Marquette, Keweenaw Bay, Mullett Lake, Wampler’s Lake and Little Bay de Noc. Starting April 1 and continuing into the fall, creel clerks will interview anglers at a number of Great Lakes boating access sites, fishing piers and shorelines across the entire coastline to get estimates on the spring, summer and fall fisheries.
To see past creel results, visit michigan.gov/fishing and click on Fishing in Michigan in the left-hand toolbar.
