Lake Michigan

Skamania Steelhead. Source: DNR FactSheet

April 4, 2017. In a boost to diversify Lake Michigan fishing opportunities, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will reintroduce Skamania steelhead into the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan over the next three to five years.

Dave Giehtbrock, DNR fisheries propagation section chief, said the Skamania strain is particularly prized because it may reach 32 inches and 12 pounds at age five - larger than other strains. Read the full article on the Wisconsin DNR website.

About the Skamania summer­run steelhead:
This strain was developed at the Skamania hatchery in the state of Washington. Wisconsin originally obtained eggs from Indiana, but we now take eggs from adults returning to our streams. The spawning migration (known as “the run”) begins in late June and early July. The good stream fishing doesn’t begin until the water temperatures start to cool, usually in mid‐September. Spawning occurs from mid‐December through mid‐March with the peak occurring in January and February. The majority of spawning fish are four and five year olds. Four year old fish average 28 inches and 8 pounds while five year old fish average 32 inches and 12 pounds.

04/13/2017. MADISON, Wis. - Expanded lake trout harvest opportunities will take effect Saturday, April 15 in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan thanks to an emergency rule approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

The rule takes into account current lake trout populations including the reestablishment of natural reproduction in some refuge areas and is not expected to affect long-term restoration efforts, said Brad Eggold, Great Lakes district fisheries supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The new five fish daily bag limit was developed following an extensive angler engagement process that included seven public meetings with total attendance of 500.

"Based on the comments from our stakeholders, we believe increasing the daily bag limit from two to five lake trout will create welcome new recreational opportunities while also addressing concerns about the ratio of predators to prey in the lake," Eggold said. Other provisions of the new rule:

• Count the five fish daily lake trout limit as part of the overall five trout and salmon combined daily bag limit.
• Maintain closure of refuges, which are supporting some natural reproduction.
• Offer a continuous open season in 2017.

read full article

March 1, 2017—The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board today approved an emergency rule regarding bag limits and season length on lake trout for Lake Michigan. The rule increases lake trout daily bag limits to five 10" fish on Lake Michigan waters with open season from March 1–Oct 31. The previous limit was two fish.

This does not change the regulations for the Mid Lake Reef Complex (see page 66 of Wisconsin's Hook & Line guide) where there is NO open season.