Since September of 2012, fishing closures have been placed on two fabled northern Michigan rivers. The Betsie and Platte Rivers sustain a high level of salmonid reproduction (chinook, coho and steelhead), in addition to the usual heavy fishing pressure for these species and resident trout.
The Betsie closure was based on low water levels and returning chinook salmon getting stranded, and could continue through spring of 2017 based on the whims of the DNR. The Platte closure is a repeat of 2011, in order to protect spawning steelhead (first stocked in 2010) from angling pressure. Additionally, the lower Platte now sports a daily possession limit of one rainbow trout (read here: steelhead), from the Platte River Weir downstream to Lake Michigan.
Water levels and stocking records aside, these rivers host huge runs of spawning fish in fall and spring. The Platte River is best known as being the first stocking site of coho salmon in the 1960s, hosting huge return runs of these hard-fighting fish every fall. The Platte is also known as an excellent northwoods stream for steelhead, in spite of not being stocked. Incidentally, the Platte was the site of my first encounter with a steelhead.
A summer vacation had found us camped out at the M-22 Platte River campground. Weather that week was cool and rainy, and we had forgone the beach to canoe a few sections of the river, dunking worms and fishing spinners for trout. Our first excursion had been mildly successful, with lots of smallish rainbow trout and a few chunky browns we had coaxed out of hiding with nightcrawlers.
A day or two later, my dad and I decided to refloat that section during a grey, drizzly day. The water was slightly up and stained compared to our first float. We fished some of the obvious pockets where we'd had luck before, but no strikes answered our casts. Perhaps the rain had loaded the river with worms and the trout were sated. After a few slow hours we decided to paddle to the take-out and explore elsewhere. Halfway through the paddle, the stretch where I had hit the browns loomed ahead. Dad ruddered the canoe over and we climbed out into the ankle-deep cold water. We quickly rigged up, hoping there was at least one decent fish in the pool.
I remember the gear I was using was very light, a 5 foot ultralight rod and small spinning reel that maybe held 80 yards of 6lb mono. The reel was a veteran of our numerous trips to Northern Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park, lightweight and easy to maintain. It was seriously undersized for what was about to happen.
Dad moved downstream of me, maybe halfway down the length of the pool, and was drifting a worm along the bottom. Something immmediately stripped half the worm off the hook, probably a small trout, hungry and too quick to get hooked.
I flipped my spinner into the head of the pool. The line came tight in the current and I could feel the dull brass blade vibrating as it spun. I retrieved just enough to keep the spinner moving and flashing above the bottom. There was a slight bump near the end of my retrieve, probably bottom, and no one home when I thumped back. I flipped the bail open and flicked the spinner into the run again, a little farther downstream this time. I cranked the reel handle a few times as the telltale thrumming of the blade started again in the current.
A huge strike almost yanked the rod out of my hand. I set the hook hard, doubling the rod over and possibly yelling an obscenity. A heavy headshake and the line immediately started peeling off the reel in a screech as the fish bolted downstream. The fish moved so fast that the line didn't point right at it, hissing through the water behind the beast. When it was almost directly abreast of Dad, it catapulted out of the water twice, swapping ends and thrashing the water with it's long, green and chrome flanks. I blindly fumbled for the dragknob, knowing that things were going to the limit. Before I could adjust the drag or give chase, the steelhead ripped loose and greyhounded off downstream, jumping once more as it went.
My line hung lifeless in the current. Hands shaking with spent adrenaline, I retrieved what was left. The Panther Martin spinner was still there, wire shaft bent like an "L" and two of the threehooks straightened out. My first encounter with a steelhead was over before I realized what I was hitched to.
A search of Michigan DNR stocking records (http://www.michigandnr.com/fishstock) shows these rivers don't require constant stocking to maintain healthy stocks of salmonids.
The Platte River wasn't stocked with steelhead prior to 2010, but supports decent runs of both winter and summer-run fish. These fish have propagated and spread from their natal rivers through the straying process, which allows them to expand their home range and reproduce in many rivers. A one fish per day possession limit is a great way to reduce take of these fish while allowing anglers to experience the magic of fishing for these silver ghosts.
The Betsie hasn't been stocked with chinook salmon (at least since 1979), yet gets decent returns of healthy salmon every fall season. Steelhead have been stocked here and return every year to spawn. As chinook salmon stockings have been drastically reduced statewide due to widespread forage species collapse throughout the Great Lakes, it's understandable that the DNR would protect the spawning kings that still return for the yearly run. However, open-ended fishing closures with little explanation of the true reasons (i.e. budget cutbacks, lack of enforcement officers) behind them will only serve to disenfranchise anglers. Imposing a one fish/day possession limit throughout the entire river would allow people to fish these silver kings legally.
Other regulations in effect for various waters of the State of Michigan are as follows:
Statewide
Muskellunge Possession Limit Change: Only 1 muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler. A new non-transferable muskellunge harvest tag is required to harvest muskellunge. The muskellunge harvest tag is free and is available at all fishing license vendors. (Author comment - based on the number of moron pictures seen on a yearly basis, where anglers are shot hoisting a trophy musky by the jaw or gillplate, then assuring readers that this fish was released without harm, everyone fishing in musky waters should be required to have such a tag. It could be revoked upon witness of such asinine behavior, ending fishing until a new one could be procured).
Northern Pike Fishing Regulations: Northern pike regulations now include the establishment of a new 24″-34″ protected slot limit on several waters and a no minimum size regulation where 5 fish may be harvested daily with only 1 northern pike greater than 24″ allowed. (See General Hook & Line Regulations)
Bow and Spear Fishing Regulations: Crossbows are included as lawful gear on the waters where bow and arrow use is lawful. The spearing prohibition on Houghton Lake in Roscommon County was removed. (See Bow & Spear Regulations)
Netting Regulations: Netting regulations have been modified and some season dates have changed. (See General Netting Regulations).
Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations: There are 5 new research streams in the Upper Peninsula where an additional 5 brook trout may be retained as the daily possession limit. (See Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations)
Michigan/Wisconsin Boundary Waters
Muskellunge Possession Limit Change: Only 1 muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler. A new non-transferable muskellunge harvest tag is required to harvest muskellunge. The muskellunge harvest tag is free and is available at all fishing license vendors. (See Michigan-Wisconsin Border Regulations)
Platte River and Little Manistee River
Possession Limit Change: The Platte River daily possession limit is 1 rainbow trout from the Upper (Hatchery) Platte River Weir downstream to Lake Michigan. The Little Manistee River daily possession limit is 1 rainbow trout from 300 feet downstream of the Little Manistee River Weir down to Manistee Lake.
Betsie River
Spawning Closure: The lower portion of the Betsie River from the Betsie Valley Trail Bridge (former railroad trestle bridge) west to a line in Betsie Bay between the westernmost dock of the Northstar Marina and the westernmost dock of the Eastshore Marina is closed to fishing until further notice.
Remember to review all fishing and tackle regs before you wet a line. Tight lines!
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