Definitions
Definitions & Terms
Artificial Flies: Known as wet and dry flies, streamers, or nymphs, is defined as a single-pointed hook, or not more than two single-pointed hooks connected in-line (the second hook commonly known as a stinger hook), crafted with natural, artificial and/or synthetic materials attached to the hook with thread. An artificial fly may not include a spinner, spoon, scoop, lip or any other fishing lure or bait attached. Material of any type cannot be attached above the eye of the hook. The fly or leader may be weighted, but no weight shall be attached to the terminal tackle in a manner that allows the weight to be suspended from or below the hook. Single-pointed hooks are restricted to measuring 1/2-inch or less from point to shank.
Artificial Lure: A manmade lure manufactured to imitate natural bait. Artificial lures include spoons, spinners, flies and plugs made of metal, plastic, wood and other non-edible materials. They also include plastic products made to resemble worms, eggs, fish and other aquatic organisms. NOTE: On the following waters from Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, terminal fishing gear is restricted to single-pointed hooks or jigs, measuring 1/2-inch or less from point to shank or treble hooks 3/8-inch or less from point to shank ONLY when attached to a body bait, plug, spinner or spoon. An artificial lure is not a device primarily constructed of lead: all waters of the Betsie R. (Benzie and Manistee Cos.), all waters of Bear Cr. (Manistee Co.), the Manistee R. from Tippy Dam downstream to Railroad Bridge below M-55 (T22N, R16W, S31; Manistee Co.), Big Sable R. from mouth upstream to Hamlin Lake Dam (Mason Co.), all waters of the Pere Marquette R. (Lake, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana Cos.), all waters of the Little Manistee R. (Lake, Manistee and Mason Cos.), White R. from mouth upstream to Hesperia Dam (Muskegon and Oceana Cos.), all waters of N. Br. White R. (Muskegon and Oceana Cos.) Muskegon R. upstream to Croton Dam (Muskegon and Newayago Cos.), and all waters of the N. Br. Pentwater R. (Mason and Oceana Cos.), S. Br. Pentwater R. upstream to Hart Dam (Mason and Oceana Cos.).
Cast Net: A net without walls or sides used by throwing to catch baitfish. Any size may be used. Only can be used to collect minnows, Alewife, Smelt, and shad from the Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair R., Detroit R., and St. Marys River. Use on any inland waters is prohibited (see General Netting Regulations).
Catch-and-Immediate-Release (CIR): The act of returning fish immediately to the water without injury and without holding in a live well or similar device. Anglers may continue to fish CIR given they have reached their daily possession limit for a given species.
Chumming: Luring or attracting or attempting to lure or attract fish by scattering organic material into the water (see Unlawful Activities). Material commonly used as chum includes fish eggs, corn, rice, noodles, oatmeal and maggots (see the NOTE in the top row of the table on the Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations page).
Cisco: Also known as Lake Herring.
Competitive Fishing Event: Any organized competition among anglers involving prize distribution or the declaration of a winner that is not defined as a fishing tournament with specific rules applying to that particular event (see Fishing Tournament Information).
Daily Possession Limit: The total number of fish, amphibians or reptiles that may be caught and retained in one calendar day and includes those that are consumed or given away. See also Possession Limit definition below.
Dates: Whenever dates are listed they are considered inclusive.
Designated Trout Lake: Any lake so designated by law, that contains a significant population of trout or salmon. All Type A and Type D lakes are designated trout lakes (see Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations and Exceptions to General Regulations by County).
Designated Trout Stream: Any stream, so designated by law, that contains a significant population of trout or salmon. All of the following: Type 1, Type 2, Gear Restricted Streams, and Brook Trout Research Areas, and most Type 3 and Type 4 waters are designated trout streams.
Dip Net: A square net constructed from a piece of webbing of heavy twine, hung on heavy cord or frame so as to be without sides or walls, and suspended from the corners and attached in such a manner that when the net is lifted no part is more than 4 feet below the plane formed by the imaginary lines connecting the corners from which the net is suspended. As used in fishing, it shall be lowered and raised vertically as nearly as possible (also referred to as a drop net or umbrella net) (see General Netting Regulations).
Dropper Line: A line in addition to the main fishing line that contains a hook. Dropper lines are usually attached to the main line.
Drop-Shotting: Using a weight suspended below a single-pointed hook that is tied directly to the main fishing line (see Lawful Fishing Methods).
Drowned River Mouth Lakes (Type F): A lake-like area of a river where it enters the Great Lakes. Considered inland waters and are listed in Note 2 on the Great Lakes Trout & Salmon Regulations page.
Eviscerated: To have internal organs removed from the body cavity or have gills severed to ensure the organism is dead.
Fishing License: A required item for any resident or nonresident angler age 17 or older targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans or reptiles in Michigan. Annual licenses are valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year (see Fishing License Information).
Fishing Season: The period of time a body of water is open to fishing. It is unlawful to fish in any body of water outside of the fishing season.
Fishing Tournament: An organized, competitive fishing event among anglers, or teams of anglers, with specific rules applying to that particular event. See also Fishing Tournament Information.
Fishing Tournament Information System: An electronic system fishing tournament directors use to register their fishing tournaments. See also Fishing Tournament Information.
Great Lakes Connecting Waters (Connecting Waters): Specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes. The designated connecting waters are L. St. Clair, St. Marys R., St. Clair R. (begins at the Fort Gratiot Light) and the Detroit R. (begins at the imaginary east/west line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne Co., and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Isl.). NOTE: Portage/ Torch Lakes (Houghton Co.) are not designated as Great Lakes Connecting Waters.
Hand Net and Landing Net: A mesh bag of webbing or wire, suspended from a circular, oval or rectangular frame attached to a handle. These are the most common fishing nets used in Michigan (see General Netting Regulations).
Hook & Hook Gap Measurement: A single, double or treble pointed hook. All hooks - single, double or treble pointed and attached to a manufactured artificial lure shall be counted as 1 hook. Refer to diagram to the right. The same method is used for single and multi-pointed hooks.
Inland Trout & Salmon Regulation Maps: Maps are available online to assist anglers in identifying which trout and salmon regulations apply on specific stream reaches and inland lakes categorized by Type. You can view the maps on the Michigan Fishing website.
Inland Waters: All waters in Michigan EXCEPT the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes Connecting Waters.
Minnows: Chubs, shiners, dace, stonerollers, sculpins (muddlers), mudminnows, and suckers of a size used for bait in hook-and-line fishing (see Lawful Fishing Methods).
Mutilated Fish: A fish that is unidentifiable or cannot be measured.
Possession Limit: In addition to 1 day’s daily possession limit of fish, a person may possess an additional 2 daily possession limits of fish taken during previous fishing days provided the additional limits of fish are processed (canned, cured by smoking or drying, or frozen). This provision does not apply to Lake Sturgeon or Muskellunge. Anglers who have not attained the age of 17 are entitled to the possession limit even though they do not have a fishing license. A person fishing waters bordered by other states or provinces AND possessing multiple fishing licenses may possess the limit allowed for ONLY ONE license while in transit. When fishing in Michigan waters, Michigan possession and size limits must be followed.
Possession Season: The portion of the fishing season during which it is legal to harvest fish.
Protected Slot Limit: A 24” – 34" protected slot limit means fish measuring within the slot limit must be released. Fish less than and greater than the protected slot may be kept.
Public Water Stocking Permit: The permit required when requesting stocking in a public waterbody. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/fisheries/stocking for more information.
Mandatory Registration of Harvested Lake Sturgeon & Muskellunge: Anglers are required to register Lake Sturgeon and Muskellunge harvest within 24 hours. You can report your harvest online, through the DNR Hunt Fish app, by calling 888-636-7778, or in person at any DNR Customer Service Center during normal state business hours with advanced notice of arrival.
River vs. Stream: The same regulations apply whether a body of water is designated as a river or a stream. They are regulated the same in Michigan.
Round Whitefish: Also known as Menominee.
Snag or Snagging: Taking or attempting to take a fish in a manner or methods where the fish does not take, or have the chance to take, the hook voluntarily in its mouth. Snagging shall include, but not be limited to, fishing by manipulating a hook or hooks and other tackle or lures, whether baited or not, in such a manner as to pierce or hook a fish in any part of the body, circumventing the voluntary action of the fish to take the bait or lure in the mouth.
Tournament Registration: Following the appropriate process to register bass and Walleye tournaments or Muskellunge competitive fishing events with the department (see Fishing Tournament Information).
Trapping: Catching or taking fish by use of a device, such as a cage or net, designed to capture a fish or animal.
Type: Refers to the regulation category that an inland stream or inland lake is classified as. Inland Trout & Salmon Lake Regulations are categorized as Types A - F. Inland Trout & Salmon Stream Regulations are categorized as Types 1 - 4, Brook Trout Restoration Areas (BTRA) and Gear Restricted Streams (GR). The regulations for each category can be found on the Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations page.
Weir: A fence or structure set in water to block or retain fish.
Youth Fishing License: a voluntary fishing license for young anglers under 17 years of age. All youth fishing licenses sold result in a federal match garnering additional funding to be used for sport fishing programs in Michigan.
