The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently issued a reminder to organizers that bass fishing tournaments in the state must be registered, beginning in 2016.
In October 2015 the DNR’s Natural Resources Commission issued Fisheries Order 215.15A requiring all bass fishing tournaments held in 2016 and thereafter to be registered online using the department’s Michigan Fishing Tournament Information System.
The requirement is for bass tournaments only and those that occur at both DNR and non-DNR-owned boat launches.
“There was some uncertainty surrounding the number of bass tournaments that occur each year in Michigan, and the Natural Resources Commission wanted to get a better understanding of tournament activity and any potential impacts on the state’s resources and economy,” said Thomas Goniea, a DNR fisheries biologist. “Additionally, the DNR’s Fisheries Division hopes to get valuable catch data back from the tournament directors, in the form of catch reports, which can be used to promote the excellent bass fishing Michigan has to offer.”
In addition to registration, the Michigan Fishing Tournament Information System also offers a public search component to identify when and where tournaments are occurring throughout Michigan.
To register, tournament directors must go to the DNR’s Michigan Fishing Tournament Information System, which can be found online at mcgi.state.mi.us/fishingtournaments or Michigan.gov/fishing.
source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources