Michigan Sturgeon Fishing Season Set to Start February 4
OutdoorHub Reporters 01.04.17
A fishing season for lake sturgeon, the oldest and largest fish species in the Great Lakes region, is set to start February 4 on Black Lake in Cheboygan County.
Anglers wishing to pursue this giant fish will have to be on their game because the season is set to last only until 2 p.m., February 8. Fishing hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.
The harvest limit for the season on Black Lake is a total of seven lake sturgeon, according to Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials.
The sturgeon fishing season is monitored very closely. In order to avoid exceeding the limit, the DNR will step in and close the season when one of two instances occur: the sixth fish is harvested, or five fish have been harvested at the end of any fishing day. Like we said, you better be on your game!
“Anglers who harvest a lake sturgeon must immediately tag the fish, contact an on-ice DNR employee and register the fish at a DNR trailer,” officials said. “Registration may include an examination of internal organs and removal of a piece of fin tissue for DNA analysis and aging.”
All anglers must have a valid fishing license and a lake sturgeon tag, as well as register with the Michigan DNR to participate.
“The 2017 angler registration process will be similar to what was enacted several years ago,” DNR officials said in a statement.
Early registration will be held from 2-7 p.m. Feb. 3 at the DNR’s Onaway Field Station, 2312 North M-211 in Onaway. During that period, anglers can pick up fishing ID flags, which must be displayed each day on their fish houses.
Those unable to register early may do so at 7 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 4 at the DNR’s registration trailer on Zolner Road at Black Lake.
This is your chance to hook into a true dinosaur! Sturgeon date back more than 150 million years. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and reach lengths of 7 feet. Males can live for around 55 years, and females can live up to 100 years!
Are you up for the challenge?
