Saginaw Bay Area Fishing Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Proposed Commercial Fishing Bill Threatens Michigan's Recreational Fishing and Outdoor Heritage.
Lansing, Michigan May, 2024

During a recent meeting of the Lake Huron Citizens Fisheries Advisory Committee, stakeholders engaged in a lively discussion regarding the potential implications of HB 5108, sponsored by Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor). This legislation, if enacted, would authorize state-licensed commercial fishing of game fish, including prized species such as lake trout, smallmouth bass, panfish, walleye, perch, and others.

Frank Krist, leading the discussion, emphasized the broad scope of the bill, noting its impact beyond Saginaw Bay to encompass all of Michigan's Great Lakes waters, including tribal areas. The proposal, amidst concerns, would allocate 25% of various sport fish stocks to state commercial fishers, potentially encroaching upon the recreational fishery harvest limit in tribal waters.

Furthermore, Dave Caroffino, Michigan Tribal Coordination Unit Manager, expressed reservations regarding the bill, highlighting discrepancies with historical decrees governing fishing allocations. He underscored the legal clarity that prohibits state commercial fishers from harvesting lake trout in 1836 treaty waters, casting doubt on the practicality of enforcing quotas for these fishers.

The proposed legislation, which threatens Michigan's recreational fishing and outdoor heritage, has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders. Game fish, crucial to the state's recreational fishing industry, are sustained through funding primarily generated by recreational anglers, including revenue from fishing license sales and the Dingell-Johnson Sportfishing Act.

"These fish are planted, reared, and managed using recreational angler monies," remarked Krist, "and this legislation would have an immeasurable impact on our recreational fishery and outdoor heritage, as well as the 171,000+ jobs it supports."
It's worth noting that similar legislation was attempted previously, but conservationists and stakeholders successfully redirected focus towards comprehensive commercial fishing packages that prioritize the protection of game species.

As discussions surrounding HB 5108 continue, stakeholders MUST be vigilant, advocating for measures that safeguard Michigan's cherished recreational fishing opportunities and the invaluable contributions they make to the state's economy and cultural heritage.

Sport and recreational anglers are in support of HB 5553 introduced in March by Rep. Amos O’Neal and four co- sponsors. HB 5553 better defines the gear and quota used by the proposed commercial fishing bill.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Bill Winowiecki
President, Michigan Charter Boat Association
231-409-0963
wattabite@gmail.com
P.O. Box 80162 • Lansing, Michigan 48908 • 800-622-2971

I had a long post written about this subject, the causes, the greedy Commercial and Tribal few that would benefit from it, the lobbyists, the elected or illegally installed bribed reps forcing this bill and those political (non-fishing/money laundering/power oriented) F#$%@ in Lansing sponsoring and responsible for it. Right along with our useless resource ignorant Governor who would sign it in a heartbeat for a few sponsor bucks from the bill's benefactors. All having political and leisurely future implications on our walleye fishery, that just might reintroduce one of the main reasons that caused the walleye fisheries total collapsed back in the 40's to begin with. But I erased it all after a final proofread, knowing/realizing how sensitive fishermen are when mentioning or mixing anything political on a fishing board that's meant only to share and enhance the fun side of the sport, all while continually keeping a blind eye and clouded heads firmly buried in the sand about anything outside that realm that might shed any light on what degradation or policy changing politics might cause to that leisure time. Keep that in mind as you high speed zig-zag or troll across the bay from any launching location, trying to avoid all the nets placed everywhere deep or shallow on our Lake Huron/Saginaw Bay waters in the near future.