Special fishing regulations for warmwater species on select waters

Long Lake in Clare County will not be added to the order until April 1, 2022.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved new regulations aimed at protecting fish populations in a newly acquired state game area and Lake Gogebic and allowing for increased harvest opportunities for northern pike on several lakes throughout the state. The regulations are in effect starting Friday, Oct. 15.

Northern pike limits on 22 waters

Twenty-two bodies of water now welcome anglers to enjoy a new daily possession limit for northern pike. Up to five northern pike of any size may be taken, with only one greater than 24 inches allowed. The new regulations are meant to address abundant and slow-growing northern pike populations and to provide additional harvest opportunities in the following waters:

• Dickinson County: Hamilton Lake, Lake Louise and Lake Mary
• Emmet County: Crooked Lake
• Gladwin County: Lake Lancelot and Wiggins Lake
• Gogebic County: Lake Gogebic and Sunday Lake
• Houghton County: Prickett Impoundment
• Iron County: Bass Lake, Paint Lake, Perch Lake­­­ and Shank Lake
• Menominee County: Bass Lake
• Montcalm County: Indian Lake
• Ogemaw County: Sage Lake
• Ontonagon County: Lake Gogebic
• Roscommon County: Lake James
• Schoolcraft County: Colwell Lake and MacDonald Lake
• Wexford County: Pleasant Lake and Stone Ledge Lake

Due to the regulations taking effect outside of the typical April 1 start date, the regulations will not appear in the printed fishing guide until the 2022 edition becomes available next spring. For current regulations, anglers are encouraged to view and refer to the digital version of the fishing guide at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.

The DNR manages Michigan’s fisheries resources for current and future generations by making scientific, research-based decisions and regulatory recommendations. Regulations are one tool the DNR uses to implement management strategies to protect, conserve and improve Michigan’s fisheries. Learn more about these efforts at Michigan.gov/Fishing.