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New sturgeon seasons set

MARQUETTE — As part of a catch-and-immediate-release season, anglers can target lake sturgeon at three Michigan waterbodies. These new opportunities come courtesy of a regulation change approved at the Thursday meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission held at Northern Michigan University.

A hook-and-line, catch-and-immediate-release season is now open on the following waterbodies:

≤ The St. Marys River in Chippewa County, from the Soo Locks/Compensating Works downstream to the De Tour Village and Drummond Island ferry terminals to the south, and from Hay Point to Cherry Island then north to the international boundary for the northeast; and

≤ Portage and Torch lakes in Houghton County. This includes Portage River, Portage Canal and north and south entry.

This season, while open immediately, will close after March 15. From that point forward the season will run from July 16 through March 15 of the following year.

All lake sturgeon caught in these waters must be released immediately.

This regulation was proposed based on angler feedback and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources analysis that anticipates no negative impact to increasing lake sturgeon populations at any of these waterbodies.

The 2019 Michigan Fishing Guide will be updated online to reflect this change. Find the digital version of the annual fishing guide at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests. The DNR’s fishing regulations hotline (888-367-7060) also will be updated.

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