Finding Fun in Michigan's Thumb
Editor Note: This is an excerpt of two reports that the Michigan DNR issued in 1977 and 2004. It offers a short history of the Saginaw Bay Fishery and the reasons for its collapse in the 1940s. The notes in the final part of this post reflect the situation on the Bay 15 years ago. … Read more
The Michigan Fish Producers Association representing the few commercial fishermen that remain in Michigan is suing the state’s Department of Natural Resources over changes to industry rules. Commercial fishermen were informed by the Michigan DNR that the agency did not renew commercial fishing licenses for 2021.
We have a conversation with a Michigan DNR fish biologist on why we have had a decline of yellow perch on Saginaw Bay. The answer was a bit of a surprise.
The Michigan House passed a trio of related bills that will cease all commercial perch fishing on the state’s Great Lakes. The “Trio” also continues to ban the taking of walleye and lake trout by the remaining 13 commercial fishing companies left in Michigan. The next step will be a vote in the Senate where it will face a competing bill that is less damaging to Michigan commercial fishing
Bay Port Commercial Fishing District was designated a National Historic Place in 1977. At the time there were seven buildings on the site. Now three remain. Hopefully, Bay Port Fish Co. will survive.
The planned demise of commercial fishing is not just occurring in Michigan. It’s happening across the United States. On the east coast, NOAAs hopeful efforts along New England serve to wipe out an industry while doing nothing for the fishery.