LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan anglers will soon have to watch their rainbow trout limits after the Michigan Natural Resources Commission adopted regulation changes. 

Beginning April 1, 2024, the daily possession limit will be amended to a single rainbow trout 20 inches or greater year-round on select rivers.  The amendment is applicable to Type 3 and 4 waters where five fish, but no more than three trout (15 inches or greater) with only one rainbow trout (20 inches or greater) are allowed according to the Department of Natural Resources. 

Type 3 Waters in the State:

  • Bear Creek (Manistee County): upstream boundary, County Road 600; downstream boundary, confluence with the Manistee River.
  • Carp River (Marquette County): upstream boundary, confluence with Morgan Creek; downstream boundary: Lake Superior.
  • Manistee River (Manistee County): upstream boundary, Tippy Dam; downstream boundary, Railroad Bridge below M-55.
  • Muskegon River (Muskegon and Newaygo counties): upstream boundary, Croton Dam; downstream boundary.
  • Pere Marquette River (Mason County): upstream boundary, Reek Road (Indian Bridge); downstream boundary. 

Type 4 Waters in the State:

  • Betsie River (Benzie and Manistee counties): upstream boundary, Kurick Road; downstream boundary.
  • Little Manistee River (Lake, Manistee and Mason counties): upstream boundary, Johnson’s Bridge (Johnson Road); downstream boundary, 300 feet above the Little Manistee River Weir.
  • Pere Marquette River (Lake and Mason counties): upstream boundary, upstream edge of the boat ramp/slide at Gleason’s Landing; downstream boundary, Reek Road (Indian Bridge).
  • Pere Marquette River – Big South Branch (Mason, Newaygo and Oceana counties): upstream boundary, confluence with Beaver and Winnepesaug creeks; downstream boundary, confluence with the Pere Marquette River.
  • Prairie Creek (Ionia and Montcalm counties).
  • Rogue River (Kent County): upstream boundary, Rockford Dam at East Bridge Street; downstream boundary, confluence with the Grand River.
  • Whitefish River including East and West branches (Delta County): upstream boundary, from 38th Road; downstream boundary, U.S. 2 bridge.
  • White River – North Branch (Oceana County): upstream boundary, Arthur Road; downstream boundary, confluence with the main branch.

Influences on the Vote:

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In November, the commission met to consider changing the regulation and heard a presentation from Addie Myers of the MDNR Fisheries Division, which demonstrated a general decrease in the stocking of Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout between the 1990s to 2015. 

As part of the agency’s attempt to continue to grow the various non-native species populations, Myers’ presentation shared the top 10 objectives within the Trout Management Plan. 

While the objectives were not listed in a 1-10 scale, the presentation showed that an emphasis was placed on the continued removal of dams, developing better connectivity of waterways, and fighting invasive species. 

The new change will be reflected in the 2024 fishing regulations booklet in March 2024, and in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app by the beginning of April 2024.