EXTEND WINTER FISH SPEARING SEASON

House Bill 6271 without amendment

Sponsor:  Rep. Steven Lindberg

Committee:  Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Complete to 6-24-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6271 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE 6-24-08

The bill would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to extend the season for spearing fish through the ice on inland waters of the state not otherwise closed to spearing.  The current season is January and February.  Under the bill, the season would run from December through the first two weeks of March.  

Fish allowed to be speared during this season are "carp, suckers, mullet, redhorse, sheepshead, lake trout, smelt, northern pike, muskellunge, whitefish, ciscoes, pilot fish or Menominee whitefish, sturgeon, catfish, bullheads, dogfish, and garpike."

The bill moves the definitions of "dip net" and "hand net" to the definition section of Part 487 but would not change the definitions of those terms.  

MCL 324.48701 & 324.48703

           

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of an extended season would not require additional funding to the Department of Natural Resources.  There would be no fiscal impact on local governmental units.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

For more details about fish spearing see:  www. Michigan.gov/documents/dnr/bow-spear-fishing_229749_7.pdf

POSITIONS:

            The Department of Natural Resources indicated its support of the bill.  (6-24-08)

            The Michigan Darkhouse Angling Association supports the bill.   (6-24-08) 

            The Michigan United Conservation Clubs testified in support of the bill.  (6-24-08)

           

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.