2021 Proposed Fishing Regulation Changes

By entering the requested information and clicking Submit, the below letter will be sent to the following DNR Fisheries Staff and Organizations.

The proposed regulation changes can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/CLMMU2020ConversCoffee_687065_7.pdf

For more information and to sign our Change.org petition, please click here. 

Jim Dexter, Chief – Michigan DNR Fisheries Division

Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator

Scott Heintzelman, Unit Supervisor – Central Lake Michigan Unit

Heather Hettinger, Fisheries Biologist

Michigan DNR Natural Resources Commission

Tom Baird, Natural Resources Commission

Carol Rose, Natural Resources Commission

SUBJECT:  Support for Changes to Jordan River Fishing Regulations

I am writing to urge your support for the proposed changes to the fishing regulations for the Jordan River. 

For too long, the Jordan River has been left in a state of status quo. Unfortunately, increases in angling pressure combined with the effects of climate change and non-native species have continued to degrade the quality of the fishery, especially the wild, native, Brook Trout population. The Jordan River was once revered for its famed Brook Trout fishery. Nevertheless, sustainable Brook Trout populations exist now only in the headwaters and tributaries. Furthermore, although non-native, the Brown Trout fishery within the Jordan River is important to many area anglers. While some large specimens exist in the Jordan River, the population estimates pale in comparison to other noteworthy streams throughout the northern Michigan region including the Upper Manistee, Au Sable and Pere Marquette – all of which have higher minimum size limits and decreased possession limits for their fisheries. 

The proposed changes from Type 1 to Type 2, and from Type 4 to Type 3, will increase quality and quantity of Brook Trout and Brown Trout within the Jordan River through increased size limits and therefore, decreased possession. The change in separation from Graves Crossing upstream to the 4^th Road Stream Crossing (National Fish Hatchery) will increase angling opportunities throughout the year in one of the most scenic sections of river, but also help better protect Brook Trout populations throughout the river by reconnecting the populations of the headwaters to the downstream sections through extended increased sized limits.  

These regulations are a step in the right direction. Please enact these changes to help put the Jordan River back on the path to a well-managed, sustainable, trout fishery.