New fishing regulations for 2014-2015 season take effect April 1

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources annually adjusts fishing regulations to ensure that the state’s fisheries' resources are managed properly and to provide the best benefits to anglers and the public.
For the coming 2014-2015 angling year, which starts Tuesday, April 1, the DNR would like anglers to be aware of the following new fishing regulations:

• Crayfish Possession and Use – Non-native crayfish species, including but not limited to red swamp crayfish and rusty crayfish, may not be possessed or used for bait, whether dead or alive, on any public or private waters of Michigan.
• Muskellunge Size Limits – Larger size limits for muskellunge are now in effect for Gun Lake in Barry County (46 inches) and Big Bear Lake in Otsego County (50 inches).
• Hook-and-Line Restrictions – It is now unlawful to fish with artificial bait or minnows in the Clinton River cut-off channel in Macomb County from the spillway weir to the Harper Road Bridge from March 16 until the Friday before the last Saturday in April.
• Walleye Size Limits – A minimum size limit of 15 inches for walleye is now in effect for Craig Lake State Park waters in Baraga County.
• Special Regulations Removed – The special regulations and permit requirement to fish at Jewett Lake in Ogemaw County have been removed. General statewide regulations now apply.

In addition, anglers are reminded that the Betsie River spawning closure is still in effect. The lower portion of the Betsie River from the Betsie Valley Trail Bridge west to a line in Betsie Bay between the westernmost dock of the Northstar Marina and the westernmost dock of the Eastshore Marina remains closed to fishing until further notice.
Detailed information on these regulation changes and more can be found in the 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide, now available at all major retailers and on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/fishing.