Fisheries Order 200.19A passed by Natural Resources Commission (NRC)

lschultz • April 17, 2019

April’s NRC meeting was held at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The meeting was live-streamed via MUCC’s Facebook page. Feel free to go back and watch the videos here .

The day of meetings started off with the Michigan State Park Advisory Committee (MSPAC). The committee began by approving a resolution that would address management plans at South and North Higgins Lake State Parks. These resolutions included improved plans to combat aquatic invasive species, as well as several infrastructure projects. One of these projects includes a redeveloped shooting range.

The Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries followed the MSPAC. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter spoke briefly about Lake Trout regulations in the Grand Traverse Bay area and gave an update on statewide harvest quotas. Lake Trout Management Unit MM-4 is going from a daily bag limit of two fish to one. This was approved by the NRC per Fisheries Order 200.19A. Dexter also spoke about MDNR’s ongoing fish-egg harvest efforts during the spring spawning runs.

MDNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason and Upland Game Bird Specialist Al Stewart presented an update to the committee on proposed fall turkey regulations. These recommendations later came before the full commission for information only. Chief Mason was also joined by Furbearer Specialist Adam Bump to discuss furbearer regulations ahead of the upcoming reauthorization cycle. In addition to these items, Chief Mason also updated the committee on a 2019-20 pheasant reintroduction effort, which will include the release of captively raised birds and conducting learn-to-hunt programs in these areas.

During the meeting of the whole, commissioners recognized Josiah Killingbeck and Scott MacNeill, officers of the Law Enforcement Division, for lifesaving events. The commission also recognized Todd Thorn with the Officer of the Year Award during this time.

Dan O’Brien from the wildlife division provided updates on bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Since the start of tests in 1995, the department has tested 298,000 white-tailed deer and have received 900 positives for bTB. In Michigan, 79 out of 83 counties remain bTB free. A chronic wasting disease (CWD) update was also provided by MDNR Deer Specialist Chad Stewart and Chief Mason. A proposed order for this fall’s deer regulations will be for information come May, with expected action in June on antlerless deer license quotas. In July, CWD regulations are likely to be approved as well.

Craig Burnett, the MDNR legislative liaison, gave an update on several bills in the legislature that are relevant to natural resources issues. MUCC is following these bills and has covered many of them in alerts or blogs.

Information

The only item up for information at this NRC meeting was a proposed order on fall turkey hunting regulations . The regulations proposed in this order do not make major changes to past quotas or rules, but have been slightly adjusted to better meet landowner, DNR and hunter goals.

Action

Commissioners took action on a regulation pertaining to statewide trout, salmon, whitefish, lake herring and smelt harvest. Fisheries Order 200.19A was approved by the NRC with an amendment. Commissioner Walters of Vanderbilt proposed the passed amendment which created a sunset on the 10-fish bag limit of brook trout on the 33 Upper Peninsula Streams. On October 1, 2019, the regulation will go back to a daily limit of 5 brook trout on those designated streams. The intent is to have further discussion on this issue, as there are new members on the commission that did not take part in this section of the order when it was first introduced.

The next meeting of the NRC will take place on May 9 at Lansing Community College.

Recent Posts

Michigan Senators Drop New License Fee Package

By Justin Tomei • May 2, 2025
Yesterday, Senators John Cherry (D-Flint) and Jon Bumstead (R-North Muskegon) released a standalone license fee package, overhauling the fees associated for hunters, trappers, and anglers, and creating new revenue for the Department of Natural Resources. Senate Bills 276 and 277 referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee, represent the newest proposal to fund the DNR after the failure of HB 6229 in late 2024. The legislation would fund the DNR with additional license fees, and a backfill mechanism to reimburse the department for several license discounts, and lost commission to license vendors. This legislation is a project from the senators and differs dramatically from the executive proposed budget earlier this year. Some new costs as proposed in the legislation: Base License: $15 Hunt/Fish Combo: $100 Complete License: $150 All Species Fish: $30 Deer License: $25 (Combo is $50) Antlerless Deer License: $5 (mandated 80% discount from the $25) Child Deer License: $10 (new license) Mentored Hunting License: $10 Turkey: $18 Bear: $30 Elk: $125 Waterfowl: $18 Fur Harvester: $18 Bobcat: $30 (new paid kill tag) In addition to a base license, a combination hunt/fish license, and an all-species fishing license, a $5 surcharge will be included, the funding from the surcharge is restricted to Hunters Feeding Michigan, the Michigan Wildlife Council, and a newly created hunting and fishing education recruitment fund. All licenses will be tied to the Consumer Price Index providing a permanent mechanism for license fees to keep up with inflation. Sen. Cherry said this bill is not a DNR or Executive proposal, but rather a passion project from a pair of hunters. "My friend senator Bumstead and myself started this package as a passion project of two Michigan hunters. The goal of this package is to ensure the DNR has the resources it needs to protect, manage, and improve our great natural resources. We strove to create a mechanism to invest in protecting our hunting and fishing heritage and better align our deer licensing structure to reflect the modern realities of Michigan's deer herd, all while minimizing the burden on Michigan's hunters, trappers, and anglers,” said Sen. Cherry. “I look forward to continuing this work with my Senate and House colleagues to deliver good policy for the people of the State of Michigan." Sen. Bumstead reiterated his passion for this legislation, and the need to ensure the DNR has the funds necessary to properly manage all the state's natural resources. “As an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and conservation work, it was imperative to me that I was involved in this legislative package. Senator Cherry and I got together to work on this package to help ensure that our hunting and fishing cultures can continue to thrive in our state. What we have introduced here, is a product of bills that reflects the input of our sportsman communities and the needs of the DNR to continue protecting and managing habitats and species in Michigan, while minimizing the financial impact of these changes on our hunters,” said Sen. Bumstead. “I am proud of the work that Senator Cherry and I have done thus far and am eager to continue working with my Senate and House counterparts to provide necessary and meaningful policy changes to protect our state’s hunting and fishing heritage.” Michigan United Conservation Clubs supports long-term, sustainable funding solutions for the Department of Natural Resources that ensure the continued protection and enhancement of our natural resources, fish and wildlife populations, and access to outdoor recreation. The organization will continue to monitor this, and another proposal for increased DNR funding.

OTG Volunteers Needed in St. Clair and Wayne/Monroe Counties

By Olivia Triltsch • May 1, 2025
Volunteers are needed on Saturday, May 10th, from 9 AM to 12 PM to plant trees and on Saturday, May 17th, from 9 AM to 2 PM to clean up a watershed in a local State Game Area.

Species Spotlight: The Kirtland's Warbler

By Katelyn Helsel • April 30, 2025
As spring gets fully underway and the warmer weather hits, many birds are in the process of migrating back to Michigan. The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology reports that during peak migration periods, as many as one billion birds could be in the skies in a single night. Michigan is home to many migratory birds, from small red-wing blackbirds to larger sandhill cranes. One migratory species you might see, more so if you live in northern Michigan, is the rare Kirtland’s warbler. This bird has a long and detailed conservation story and has come back from the brink of extinction with the help of strong conservation efforts.
More Posts