FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2015

Contact: George Madison, 906-353-6651 or John Pepin, 906-226-1352

DNR makes Lake Gogebic walleye recommendation

Change would allow more harvest opportunity for anglers

Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists have recommended a change in the sportfishing regulations for walleyes in Lake Gogebic in the western Upper Peninsula.

The current walleye minimum size limit on Lake Gogebic is 15 inches, with a daily possession limit of five fish.

The proposed change would allow anglers the option of keeping two smaller walleyes — from 13 inches up to 15 inches — within their five-fish daily possession limit. The proposed rule change would not require anglers to keep fish smaller than 15 inches.

Analysis of available biological data as well as input from the public formed the basis for the proposed change. More than 100 people attended a public meeting in Marenisco Township in July, and the DNR received more than 100 written comments on the issue.

The recommendation was included in a fisheries order presented to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission this month in Lansing.

The commission could act on the recommendation at its Oct. 8 meeting in Cedarville. The seven-member panel makes fishing regulation change decisions, which are then implemented by the DNR.

If approved by the NRC, the regulation changes in the order would have immediate effect.

The lake’s fishery will continue to be monitored to help track the effects of sportfishing regulations.

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.