[Sorry Late] 10/14 NRC AGENDA

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Natural Resources Commission

Meeting Agenda

Date: October 14, 2021

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Location: MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

4125 Beaumont Road

Lansing, Michigan 48901

Please be advised that masks are required indoors for all individuals entering MSU facilities.

For more information, please visit msu.edu/together-we-will.

Agenda Details:

I. Call to Order – Chair Carol Moncrieff Rose

II. Roll Call

III. Approval of Agenda

IV. Approval of Minutes

a. September 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes

b. September 16, 2021 Closed Session Minutes

V. NRC Committee of the Whole

a. Director’s Report

i. DNR Budget Update (Erik Eklund, Finance and Operations)

ii. Fisheries Orders (Seth Herbst, Fisheries)

iii. Saginaw Bay Walleye (Randy Claramunt, Fisheries)

iv. Sandhill Crane Presentation (Barb Avers, Wildlife)

v. Preliminary Elk Season Results (Chad Stewart, Wildlife)

b. Legislative Report (Informational Item)

VI. Public Comment – NRC Public Appearance Guidelines

a. 5 Minute Comment

i. Mark Jones – Sandhill Cranes

ii. Mary Jones – Sandhill Cranes

iii. Nick Green, Michigan United Conservation Clubs - Sandhill Cranes


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iv. Heather Good, Executive Director, Michigan Audubon Society – Sandhill

Cranes

b. 3 Minute Comment

i. Mike Riepen, Michigan Deer Track’n Hounds – Tracking Dogs

VII. New Business

a. Director’s Orders – None

b. Land Transactions

i. Sale of Surplus DNR-Managed Land

Parks and Recreation Division, Oakland County

Land Transaction Case #20210075

ii. Conveyance of Easement on DNR-Managed Land

Parks and Recreation Division, Cheboygan County

Land Transaction Case #20200236

iii. Conveyance of Easement on DNR-Managed Land

Parks and Recreation Division, Bay County

Land Transaction Case #20210060

iv. Exchange of State Forest Land

Forest Resources Division, Chippewa County

The Patrick Exchange

Land Transaction Case #20200238

v. Acquisition of State Forest Land

Forest Resources Division, Delta County

The Bennett and Cottrill Tracts – Lake Michigan Dunes and Swale Complex

Land Transaction Case #20210102

vi. Acquisition of State Forest Land

Forest Resources Division, Delta County

The Brampton Township Tract

Land Transaction Case #20210170

vii. Acquisition of State Forest Land

Forest Resources Division, Crawford County

The Sedorchuk Tract Land Transaction

Land Transaction Case #20210179

c. NRC Orders

i. Fisheries Order 202.22

Special Hook Size Fishing Regulations


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October 14, 2021

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ii. Fisheries Order 204.22

Spawning Closures

iii. Fisheries Order 206.22

Special Fishing Regulations for Warmwater Species on Select Waters

VIII. Old Business

a. Director’s Orders – None

b. NRC Orders

i. Fisheries Order 200.22

Inland Rivers and Streams - Trout and Salmon Regulations

• Chair Rose Amendment – Boundary clarification

• Commissioner Nyberg Amendment – Exceptions for daily possession limit

of Rainbow Trout

ii. Fisheries Order 206.21

Special Fishing Regulations for Warmwater Species on Select Waters

• Commissioner Richardson Amendment – Walleye minimum size limit

• Commissioner Richardson Amendment – Pike

iii. Fisheries Order 210.22

Designated Trout Streams for Michigan

iv. Fisheries Order 215.22

Statewide Warmwater Regulations for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass,

Northern Pike, Walleye, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish,

Yellow Perch, Sunfishes, and White Bass

v. Fisheries Order 216.21

Minnow, Wiggler, and Crayfish Regulations for Commercial Purposes and

Waters that are Closed to the Personal Take of Minnows

vi. Fisheries Order 219.22

Special Fishing Regulations for Bow, Spear, and Crossbow Fishing Regulation

• Commissioner Richardson Amendment – removal of Lake Superior

• Commissioner Baird Amendment – three-year sunset

• Chair Rose Amendment – Northern Pike season delay

vi. Fisheries Order 226.22

Hook and Line Restrictions During Walleye Spawning Runs

vii. Fisheries Order 252.22

Statewide - Lake Whitefish, Round Whitefish, Cisco, Rainbow Smelt and

Arctic Grayling Regulations

• Commissioner Richardson Amendment – Round Whitefish daily possession


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c. NRC Committee Structure

IX. Commissioner Reports

X. Closed Session

XI. Adjournment

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Special fishing regulations for warmwater species on select waters, effective Friday


The Michigan Natural Resources Commission today 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.



Crystal Waters State Game Area (Monroe County)

Catch-and-immediate release regulations are now required on all bodies of water in the Crystal Waters State Game Area in Louden Township, Monroe County. The 680-acre property was acquired by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources earlier this year. No harvest of any fish species will be allowed. This regulation provides protection from overharvest to the limited fish populations that currently inhabit these lakes and ponds.



DNR Fisheries Division surveys of the new state game area’s waters – former sand and gravel mining pits – indicated limitations in the existing fish habitat and communities. The new regulations are meant to protect the existing fish population from harvest while the DNR works to enhance habitat that will promote populations of aquatic insects and smaller fish to help improve food availability (and size structure of the fish population). This is expected to have long-term benefits to the existing fish community.



Lake Gogebic (Gogebic and Ontonagon counties)

Walleye regulations on Lake Gogebic are returning to the statewide 15-inch minimum size limit, with a daily possession limit of five fish in response to concerns from anglers over greatly reduced walleye catches. The previous, more liberal regulation, approved in 2016, allowed a daily possession limit of up to two walleye between 13 and 15 inches. The change in 2016 was in response to anglers’ desire to take advantage of an abundance of walleye smaller than 15 inches.



Additionally, northern pike regulations will move to the no-minimum-size limit with a daily possession limit of five fish, of which only one may be greater than 24 inches. This change is in response to increasing northern pike abundance, with a high proportion of the population being smaller than 24 inches.



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:



Clare County: Long Lake  [This DNR news release, issued Thursday, originally listed "Clare County: Long Lake" as one of the lakes with daily possession limits for northern pike. It will not be added to the order until April 1, 2022.]

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.