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Michigan/Wisconsin Anglers Eye
Menominee River for Sturgeon
USSFN: 9/03/04 -
Anglers from both states will start to converge on the Menominee River as
Sturgeon season opens this coming Monday, September 6th. For those
that have never seen one of these, the sturgeon resembles probably the
closest thing we have remaining of prehistoric species. Sturgeon
were almost extinct at one point due to commercial fishing and the demand
for their eggs (caviar). Through careful management, officials have
managed to save this species and the numbers are slowly rising again.
 One of the practices that is being used for
study is the tagging of fish. Any sturgeon that is caught requires
that the angler tag it with a DNR tag, obtained prior to fishing, and
registered with an authorized check-in station within 24 hours.
Tag through the operculum (gill
cover) or through the fleshy part of the dorsal or tail fin so it will not
easily pull out. If there are any questions, please call the nearest
DNR
Operations Service Center. The tag is not a
substitute for a fishing license and all anglers must have at least a
restricted fishing license to use the tag. While tags issued earlier in
the year will still be honored, the new tag is white plastic with black
print. Sturgeon fishing season
information can be found on page 10 (Table 3 Lake Sturgeon) of the
2004 Fishing Guide. The 2004 fishing guide can be accessed via the
internet at
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-89856--,00.html.
LAKE STURGEON ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES AND REGULATIONS
Great Lakes and connecting waters (except Lake St. Clair and St.
Clair R.) all inland waters except Otsego L. and Black L.
(Cheboygan Co.)
- Season: July 16 November 30
- Harvest: Catch and release only. No possession.
Lake St. Clair and St. Clair R.
- Locking harvest tag must be obtained prior to fishing. Fish must be
tagged immediately and registered at a designated registration station.
- Season: July 16 September 30
- Size Restriction: Between 42 50. All fish less than 42 and
greater than 50 must be released immediately.
- Harvest: 1 per season
Otsego Lake (Otsego Co.)
- Locking harvest tag must be obtained prior to fishing. Fish must be
tagged immediately and registered at a designated registration station.
- Season: July 16 March 15
- Size Restriction: 50 inch minimum
- Harvest: 1 per season
Menominee River and Boundary Waters (Michigan-Wisconsin
Boundary)
- Locking harvest tag must be obtained prior to fishing. Fish must be
tagged immediately and registered at a designated registration station.
- Season: September 6 November 1
- Size Restriction: 70 inch minimum
- Harvest: 1 per season
Black Lake (Cheboygan Co.)
- Tags will be issued by random drawing.
- Season: First Saturady in February to Sunday following the second
Saturday
- Harvest: Spearing - Lottery Draw Only 5
fish quota for the season.
- Contact DNR Gaylord office for details 989-732-3541
2004 MICHIGAN
STURGEON TAG DISTRIBUTION AND FISH CHECK-IN SITES
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Bluewater Bait & Accessories
8089 Dixie Hwy
Fairhaven, MI 48023
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(586) 725-1448 |
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Mt. Clemens Fisheries Research
33135 South River Rd
Mt. Clemens, MI 48045
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(586) 465-4771 |
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Lakeside Fishing Shop
25110 Jefferson
St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
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(586) 777-7003 |
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Professional Fishing Center
36257 Jefferson Ave
Harrison Twp., MI 48045
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(586) 469-2070 |
Weavers Market
3847 Green Drive
Harsens Island, MI 48028
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(810) 748-9929 |
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SE Michigan DNR Office
38980 W. Seven Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48152
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(734) 953-1489 |
Gaylord DNR Office
1732 M-32 West
Gaylord, MI 49735
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(989) 732-3541, ext.
5071
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Don's Sport and Marine
3819 Old 27 South
Gaylord, MI 49735
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(989) 732-4157 |
Parkside Country Store
7131 S Old 27
Gaylord, MI 49735
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(989) 732-5866 |
Otsego Lake State Park
7136 Old 27 South
Gaylord, MI 49735
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(989) 732-5485 |
Michigan Menominee River Tag Distribution Sites
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JJ's Service
Hwy 41
Wallace, MI
49893
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(906) 788-4255 |
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Camp Shakey Bait Shop
G12 Shakey Lakes Road
Stephenson, MI 49887
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(906) 753-4977 |
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Holiday Gas Station Store
1051 10th Ave
Menominee, MI
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(906) 863-4001 |
Wisconsin
Menominee River Tag Distribution Sites
If a lake sturgeon needs to
be registered and none of the below stations
are open in the Marinette area, call (715) 732-0846 for assistance.
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Peshtigo Service Center
101 N. Ogden Rd.
Peshtigo, WI 54157
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(715) 582-5000 |
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Pembine Ranger Station
Hwy 141
Pembine, WI 54156
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(715) 324-5227 |
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Amoco Self Serve Mini-Mart
Hwy 141
Wausaukee, WI 54177
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(715) 856-5731 |
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MBK Sport Shop
1509 Main St.
Marinette, WI 54143
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(715) 735-5393 |
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Bobwhite Trout and Bait
Hwy 141
Coleman, WI 54112
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(920) 897-3812 |
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Bear Point Yacht Club
Hwy 180
Wausaukee, WI 54177
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Source: Michigan
Department of Natural Resources |