October Michigan Charter Boat
Association Meeting
The meeting was held in Grand Rapids this year.
Captains from all over the State of Michigan were in attendance.
Jim Dexter, MDNR Basin Coordinator, Lake Michigan
and Superior gave us an update on our fishery. The Salmon in Lake
Michigan are in good shape. Larger fish, and more forage fish.
However, catch rates are down some from last year.
Charter Boat trailering issues were discussed by
office Joseph Austin, Michigan State Police. If you are towing a
charter boat that is commercial, you will need a DOT number for your
towing vehicle if the truck and trailer combination exceeds 10,000
lbs.
If your boat and trailer are over 8’ 6” wide, you
will need a DOT Towing Permit. You will also need a DOT physical.
In addition you will also need all the safety equipment for your
vehicle, including triangles, flares and a fire extinguisher that
are called for in the regulations. Additional requirements may
apply, including possibly DOT registration numbers. You can go
on-line to the Michigan State Police website or call the number
listed to find out more details. The web site is
www.michigan.gov/msp or the phone number to call is 888.464.8736.
You will need to do this, as the State Police are now enforcing the
commercial trailering regulations very vigorously, checking everyone
who is commercial, and according to their interpretation of the
regulations, that includes all charter fishermen.
Kelly Smith, MDNR Fisheries Chief gave us an
update on the DNR. Most of the discussion was about finances and the
5 fish Salmon limits.
We did a tour of the Grand Rapids NOAA Weather
Station during the afternoon after the speaker sessions. The
forecasters described in detail how they create the forecasts. It
was particularly fascinating and interesting to see how the marine
forecasts are generated.
During the lunch, I had the opportunity to
share a table with DNR Fisheries Chief Kelley Smith, and Lake
Michigan Basin Coordinator Jim Dexter and other members. Among other
topics, we discussed Lake Trout regulations within units MM-4 and
MM5. (Arcadia to Northport). Management regulations in MM-4,
including East and West Bay, will also be reviewed. After being in
place for 5 years, the Lake Trout regulations are up for review.
That includes the length of the season, the size or slot limits and
the daily catch limits . We may be able to make changes but the
changes have to keep the total catch by charter and sport fishermen
within the limits agreed to by the state and the tribes in the 2000
state-tribal agreement. Several options are being considered,
including the following:
1. A 2 Lake Trout any size limits.
2. 2 Lake Trout up to 23” – 1 Lake Trout over.
3. A slot limit similar to the Grand Traverse
Bays.
Hopefully the GTASFA will jump on board. We
need a couple of input meetings. I’m willing to assist in setting
these up.
I will be contacting Todd Kalish, MDNR –
Cadillac Office about public input meetings after January 1st. I
will also be attending the MSU Sea Grant meeting in Ludington,
Saturday January 9th.
Any questions or input on the Lake Trout
issue feel free to send me an e-mail at
charterfishing@wattabite.com or call me at 231.409.0963.
Captain Bill Winowiecki
Port Captain Leelanau, Grand Traverse Area
Michigan Charter Boat Association
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