Some say a good fisherman who has found a good fishing spot is not likely to show you where it is, unless you are his or her dear friend. And even then...
Well, Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is asking anglers to make an exception to this rule as the statewide muskellunge possession season begins June 3.
The DNR says its muskellunge angler survey helps biologists obtain valuable data on this important sport fish.
“Muskellunge are difficult to survey, so biologists are dependent upon information provided by anglers to help us manage this species," DNR fisheries biologist Neal Godby in Gaylord said in a news release.
“Angler survey reports give us insight into the relative abundance of muskellunge in a waterbody, size structure of the population, and whether the muskellunge in that waterbody are creating a fishery.”
The DNR’s online muskellunge angler survey gathers info about muskellunge angler demographics and catch data, such as length of fish caught, angler effort, water body fished and methods used.
Since 2014, fisheries managers have used the data to recommend fishing regulation changes to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, evaluate the muskie stocking program and understand more about self-sustaining populations.
The survey is your opportunity to contribute to the proper management of this species, the DNR says.
Whether your trip results in a muskie catch or not, you can offer valuable information about your fishing experience in Michigan waters.
The survey is limited to one entry per person, per trip. However, the DNR encourages anglers to complete a survey for every fishing trip where they target or encounter muskellunge.
View the summary for past survey data here.
Muskellunge season is open to catch and immediate release year-round, with the possession season opening statewide the first Saturday in June. For additional season dates and fish lengths, see the 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide.
Anglers are limited to taking only one muskellunge per license year and are required to register their harvest by calling 888-636-7778, online at Michigan.gov/RegisterFish, or on the new Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.
