update 2014
BOATING & FISHING UPDATE 2014
DEAR FRIEND: Summer is made to order in Pure Michigan! Love to fish? Michigan boasts 36,000 miles of rivers and streams–including 1,000 miles of blue ribbon trout streams. Love to boat, sail, canoe or kayak? With shoreline on four of the five Great Lakes and 11,000 inland lakes, sportsmen and women have access to the greatest freshwater resources in the world. Love to camp, hike or nature watch? You’re never more than an hour’s drive from a blue ribbon state park or recreation area. And by spending your vacation and leisure dollars in our great state, you help support many small businesses, “mom and pop” stores and local communities. I am pleased to send along this report, including legislative news, license information, festival dates and more. I hope you find it useful as you and your family make lifelong memories in Michigan’s great outdoors. Sincerely, S TAT E S E N AT O R
DAVE HILDENBRAND
SENATE DISTRICT 29 TOLL FREE 866.305.2129 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
Dave Hildenbrand State Senator
BOATING & FISHING UPDATE 2014
HILDENBRAND: SENATE BILLS AIM TO KEEP AQUATIC INVASIVES OUT OF MI WATERS Aquatic invasive species are one of the biggest threats facing our beautiful lakes.
More than 180 non-native species have already invaded our Great Lakes and inland waters. These pests can endanger native fish and plant populations, harm water quality and interfere with recreation opportunities like boating and fishing. A package of Senate bills to help keep further invaders, particularly Asian carp, from reaching our lakes would crack down on the trafficking of prohibited aquatic species. Senate Bills 795-802 dramatically increase the fines and penalties for illegal possession, sale and transportation. The legislation is aimed at putting an emphatic stop to the attempted illegal smuggling of Asian carp across Michigan into Canada. Boaters and anglers can help prevent further spread of aquatic invasives by taking these precautions:
• Thoroughly clean boats, trailers, nets and other equipment with a light bleach solution.
• After cleaning, allow boats and equipment to dry in the sun for 4 to 6 hours.
• Do not release live bait into any water body.
• Do not move fish from one body of water to another.
Anglers who find unidentified carp in any inland or Great Lakes waters can fill out an Asian carp reporting form online at www.michigan.gov/ asiancarp. The website carries identifying information and illustrations.
ANGLERS: FISHING LICENSE UPDATE A new fishing license fee structure is now in place. Fishing licenses are now “all species” licenses. All-species Fishing Licenses Resident Annual......................................................................... $26.00* Nonresident Annual................................................................... $76.00* Senior Annual (residents 65 or older or legally blind)............................... $11.00* 24-hour (resident or nonresident)....................................................... $10.00 72-hour (resident or nonresident)....................................................... $30.00 Fishing license fees waived for residents who are veterans with 100% disability, or active-duty military * includes $1 surcharge to fund public education on benefits and impact of fishing & hunting on conservation
If you are 17 years of age or older, you need a fishing license to fish in Michigan. If you are younger than 17 years of age, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Buy a license at your local license retailer, a DNR Customer Service Center or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com
2014 MICHIGAN FISHING GUIDE For rules, regulation changes, fish orders, seasons, license information and more, consult the 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide. This comprehensive publication is available at major retailers and online at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide.
State Senator DAVE HILDENBRAND • Toll-Free: 866.305.2129
NAVIGATION AIDS PROVIDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION These common markers are white and use orange markings and black lettering.
BOATS KEEP OUT! Crossed diamonds mark areas off-limits, such as swim areas, rapids, dams and other restricted areas.
DANGER! Diamonds warn of rocks, reefs, dams, construction or other hazards.
Handbook of MI Boating Laws & Responsibilities www.boat-ed.com/michigan Renew Watercraft Registration www.ExpressSOS.com Recreation Passport www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport Harbor & Campground Reservations www.midnrreservations.com
CAUTION!
Boating Access Sites www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS
Circles mark controlled areas such as no swimming, no wake, no skiing.
Weekly Fishing Report www.michigan.gov/fishingreport
INFORMATION!
NOAA Marine Forecasts and Weather Information www.crh.noaa.gov/grr/marine
Squares provide directions and indicate where to find places, food or supplies.
HILDENBRAND: BOAT PURCHASE MORE AFFORDABLE Sportsmen in the market for a new boat now get a tax break on the value of their trade-in. Under Public Act 160 of 2013, the 6 percent sales tax on the purchase is applied only to the difference between the price of the new or used boat and the value of a trade-in. Before the new law, Michigan was the only Great Lakes state to tax the full sales price.
FESTIVAL FUN June TBA
Detroit - International Tug Boat Race..........www.tugrace.com
July 9-12
Port Huron - Blue Water Fest........ www.thebluewaterfest.com
July 12-14
Port Huron to Mackinac Race
July 17-20 Ludington - Offshore Fishing Classic ............................................ www.ludingtontournament.com July 19-26
ONLINE RESOURCES
Charlevoix - Venetian Festival......... www.venetianfestival.com
August 9 Les Cheneaux - Antique Wooden Boat Show ...................................................... www.lchistorical.org/boat July 25-Aug. 3 Grand Haven - Coast Guard Festival... www.coastguardfest.com August 2 Traverse City - Classic Boats on the Boardwalk ...............................................................www.wwcacbs.com Sept. 18-21 Lake St. Clair Metropark (Harrison Twp.) - Boating & Outdoor Recreation Festival .................www.boatingandoutdoorfest.com
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety www.uscgboating.org State Fish Records: www.michigandnr.com/masterangler
BOAT REGISTRATION All watercraft must be registered with the Department of State (unless it is exempt) and display a registration decal. Once a registration number has been assigned, it cannot be transferred to another watercraft. Exemptions include: •w atercraft 16 ft. or less, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for rental or commercial purposes, •n on-motorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purposes, •w atercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan. For most watercraft the registration fee is based on length. All registrations expire on March 31 in the third year of issuance.
Visit www.Michigan.org for full calendar of events. All events subject to change
E-Mail: [email protected] • VISIT: www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
DEAR FRIEND: Summer is made to order in Pure Michigan! Love to fish? Michigan boasts 36,000 miles of rivers and streams–including 1,000 miles of blue ribbon trout streams. Love to boat, sail, canoe or kayak? With shoreline on four of the five Great Lakes and 11,000 inland lakes, sportsmen and women have access to the greatest freshwater resources in the world. Love to camp, hike or nature watch? You’re never more than an hour’s drive from a blue ribbon state park or recreation area. And by spending your vacation and leisure dollars in our great state, you help support many small businesses, “mom and pop” stores and local communities. I am pleased to send along this report, including legislative news, license information, festival dates and more. I hope you find it useful as you and your family make lifelong memories in Michigan’s great outdoors. Sincerely, S TAT E S E N AT O R
DAVE HILDENBRAND
SENATE DISTRICT 29 TOLL FREE 866.305.2129 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
Dave Hildenbrand State Senator
BOATING & FISHING UPDATE 2014
HILDENBRAND: SENATE BILLS AIM TO KEEP AQUATIC INVASIVES OUT OF MI WATERS Aquatic invasive species are one of the biggest threats facing our beautiful lakes.
More than 180 non-native species have already invaded our Great Lakes and inland waters. These pests can endanger native fish and plant populations, harm water quality and interfere with recreation opportunities like boating and fishing. A package of Senate bills to help keep further invaders, particularly Asian carp, from reaching our lakes would crack down on the trafficking of prohibited aquatic species. Senate Bills 795-802 dramatically increase the fines and penalties for illegal possession, sale and transportation. The legislation is aimed at putting an emphatic stop to the attempted illegal smuggling of Asian carp across Michigan into Canada. Boaters and anglers can help prevent further spread of aquatic invasives by taking these precautions:
• Thoroughly clean boats, trailers, nets and other equipment with a light bleach solution.
• After cleaning, allow boats and equipment to dry in the sun for 4 to 6 hours.
• Do not release live bait into any water body.
• Do not move fish from one body of water to another.
Anglers who find unidentified carp in any inland or Great Lakes waters can fill out an Asian carp reporting form online at www.michigan.gov/ asiancarp. The website carries identifying information and illustrations.
ANGLERS: FISHING LICENSE UPDATE A new fishing license fee structure is now in place. Fishing licenses are now “all species” licenses. All-species Fishing Licenses Resident Annual......................................................................... $26.00* Nonresident Annual................................................................... $76.00* Senior Annual (residents 65 or older or legally blind)............................... $11.00* 24-hour (resident or nonresident)....................................................... $10.00 72-hour (resident or nonresident)....................................................... $30.00 Fishing license fees waived for residents who are veterans with 100% disability, or active-duty military * includes $1 surcharge to fund public education on benefits and impact of fishing & hunting on conservation
If you are 17 years of age or older, you need a fishing license to fish in Michigan. If you are younger than 17 years of age, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Buy a license at your local license retailer, a DNR Customer Service Center or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com
2014 MICHIGAN FISHING GUIDE For rules, regulation changes, fish orders, seasons, license information and more, consult the 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide. This comprehensive publication is available at major retailers and online at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide.
State Senator DAVE HILDENBRAND • Toll-Free: 866.305.2129
NAVIGATION AIDS PROVIDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION These common markers are white and use orange markings and black lettering.
BOATS KEEP OUT! Crossed diamonds mark areas off-limits, such as swim areas, rapids, dams and other restricted areas.
DANGER! Diamonds warn of rocks, reefs, dams, construction or other hazards.
Handbook of MI Boating Laws & Responsibilities www.boat-ed.com/michigan Renew Watercraft Registration www.ExpressSOS.com Recreation Passport www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport Harbor & Campground Reservations www.midnrreservations.com
CAUTION!
Boating Access Sites www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS
Circles mark controlled areas such as no swimming, no wake, no skiing.
Weekly Fishing Report www.michigan.gov/fishingreport
INFORMATION!
NOAA Marine Forecasts and Weather Information www.crh.noaa.gov/grr/marine
Squares provide directions and indicate where to find places, food or supplies.
HILDENBRAND: BOAT PURCHASE MORE AFFORDABLE Sportsmen in the market for a new boat now get a tax break on the value of their trade-in. Under Public Act 160 of 2013, the 6 percent sales tax on the purchase is applied only to the difference between the price of the new or used boat and the value of a trade-in. Before the new law, Michigan was the only Great Lakes state to tax the full sales price.
FESTIVAL FUN June TBA
Detroit - International Tug Boat Race..........www.tugrace.com
July 9-12
Port Huron - Blue Water Fest........ www.thebluewaterfest.com
July 12-14
Port Huron to Mackinac Race
July 17-20 Ludington - Offshore Fishing Classic ............................................ www.ludingtontournament.com July 19-26
ONLINE RESOURCES
Charlevoix - Venetian Festival......... www.venetianfestival.com
August 9 Les Cheneaux - Antique Wooden Boat Show ...................................................... www.lchistorical.org/boat July 25-Aug. 3 Grand Haven - Coast Guard Festival... www.coastguardfest.com August 2 Traverse City - Classic Boats on the Boardwalk ...............................................................www.wwcacbs.com Sept. 18-21 Lake St. Clair Metropark (Harrison Twp.) - Boating & Outdoor Recreation Festival .................www.boatingandoutdoorfest.com
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety www.uscgboating.org State Fish Records: www.michigandnr.com/masterangler
BOAT REGISTRATION All watercraft must be registered with the Department of State (unless it is exempt) and display a registration decal. Once a registration number has been assigned, it cannot be transferred to another watercraft. Exemptions include: •w atercraft 16 ft. or less, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for rental or commercial purposes, •n on-motorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purposes, •w atercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan. For most watercraft the registration fee is based on length. All registrations expire on March 31 in the third year of issuance.
Visit www.Michigan.org for full calendar of events. All events subject to change
E-Mail: [email protected] • VISIT: www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
