Large trout stocked in SE Michigan’s Huron River, Spring Mill Pond

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 03/31/2023 09:15 AM EDT

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DNR News

March 31, 2023
Contact: John Buszkiewicz, 248-296-2498 or Sara Thomas, 734-718-0474

Thousands of large trout stocked in southeast Michigan’s Huron River and Spring Mill Pond

Broodstock stocking

Anyone fishing the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area or Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area may soon benefit from late-March trout-stocking efforts at these southeast Michigan destinations. 

Michigan Department of Natural Resources crews stocked approximately 3,000 adult trout – fish that were retired broodstock from the state's fish hatcheries.

  • The Huron River, downstream of the Proud Lake Dam, in Oakland County, received approximately 1,200 brown trout and 1,200 rainbow trout, all ranging in sizes from 14 inches to 19 inches.
  • Spring Mill Pond, in Livingston County, received approximately 220 brown trout and 400 rainbow trout, also ranging in size from 14 inches to 19 inches.
  • The DNR also stocked a total of 1,550 yearling rainbow trout at the sites: 900 in the Huron River and 650 in Spring Mill Pond. Anglers should be aware that some portion of these yearlings will be smaller at first than the minimum size limit of 8 inches.

Special regulations apply for anglers interested in targeting these trout:

  • The Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing Oct. 1 through March 31. April 1 through April 28, anglers are limited to flies only, catch-and-release fishing. The exception is that children under 12 during this time period may keep one trout that meets the 8-inch minimum size limit and is under 12 inches.
  • Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing March 15 through March 31. April 1 through April 28, anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch-and-release fishing.
  • On both bodies of water, beginning April 29, 2023, all baits are allowed, and anglers may keep up to five trout over 8 inches, but only three over 15 inches.

See the 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide for additional details.

Mention of PFAS concerns

The Huron River is under a “Do Not Eat” fish consumption advisory from N. Wixom Road downstream to where the river crosses I-275 in Wayne County due to elevated PFAS levels in fish. The main source of the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances tied to the contamination in Norton Creek has been addressed, but the advisory is still in place as PFAS levels remain high in many fish. For more information on the Huron River “Do Not Eat” advisory visit the Eat Safe Fish website at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish.

These trout do not reside in the Huron River for long periods of time. Touching the fish or water is not considered a health concern.  For further information visit Michigan.gov/PFASResponse and search for “Huron River”.

Spring Mill Pond is not connected to the Huron River and not affected by the consumption advisory.

In all, this area’s “Do Not Eat” fish consumption advisory includes Norton Creek, Hubbell Pond, also known as Mill Pond, and Kent Lake (Oakland County); Gallagher, Loon, Ore, Strawberry, Whitewood and Zukey lakes (Livingston County); Base Line and Portage lakes (Livingston/Washtenaw County line); Argo, Barton and Geddes ponds and Ford Lake (Washtenaw County); and Belleville Lake (Wayne County).

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Broodstock trout: Michigan DNR Fisheries hatchery staff release adult broodstock trout into the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area. 
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