DNR News: New license requirement for fishing begins March 1

DNR News: New license requirement for fishing begins March 1

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Recreation
DNR banner with link to website

DNR News
March 1, 2024

Contact: Seth Herbst (Fisheries), 517-388-7759 or Lt. Tom Wanless, (Law Enforcement) 810-577-6887

New license requirement for inland fishing guides begins March 1

anglers fishing from a boatBeginning Friday, March 1, sport fishing guides operating in Michigan will need an inland guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams. The license is required for anyone guiding on any water except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters and bodies of water with a surface area of less than 5 acres.

Great Lakes connecting waters refers to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Island).

An inland sport fishing guide can get a license by completing the following steps:

  1. Complete the questionnaire, which will be available March 1. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will review responses to verify license requirements are met. Applicants will be notified via email within five business days. If the requirements are not met, applicants will be notified that additional eligibility steps are needed.
  2. Applicants who meet the requirements and receive notification of DNR approval can obtain their license via the DNR’s online licensing program or the DNR Hunt Fish app.

The resident license fee is $150, and a nonresident license fee is $300. The inland sport fishing guide license is valid for three years after the date it is issued. Captains who possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license will receive a license fee waiver.

“This is a new statutory requirement for inland fishing guides, and DNR staff has been working to determine the best way to implement it for everyone’s ease of use,” said Brandon Kieft, assistant chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “As with any new regulatory requirement, it will take time to adjust to it. Our main focus during the early stages of this new program is to make sure that everyone who wants to operate as an inland fishing guide is aware of the need for this license.”

License requirements

To be eligible for a sport fishing guide license, an applicant must:

  • Possess a valid certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and be able to provide a copy of the certification to the DNR upon request.
  • Possess a valid, lawfully obtained Michigan driver’s license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, an official state personal identification card or a DNR-issued Sportcard.
  • Have not been convicted of a felony or other violation listed within MCL 324.48714a(2)(c) in the last three years.
  • Be eligible to purchase a license for the fish species targeted while acting as a sport fishing guide.
  • Possess a valid state inland pilot’s license issued by the DNR or a valid captain’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, if you intend to operate a watercraft while acting as a sport fishing guide.
  • Possess, while acting as a sport fishing guide, a basic first aid kit that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: tourniquet, chest seals, compression gauze, CPR mask, trauma shears, sterile eyewash, mylar emergency blanket, bandages, moleskin and tweezers.

If you have questions about the DNR inland pilot’s license, contact the DNR Law Enforcement Division representative at your nearest DNR Customer Service Center.

Mandatory reporting

Beginning April 1, 2024, all licensed inland sport fishing guides must file an electronic report of their monthly catch activity for all trips that occurred on all waters except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters, and lakes or ponds with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Details about the reporting requirements are available on the inland fishing guides webpage. Guides who have questions regarding submitting monthly catch activity reports or how to obtain an inland sport fishing guide license can contact Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or [email protected].

This new program is in addition to the existing requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Visit the Great Lakes charter boat program webpage for more information.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Fishing: Starting March 1, 2024, the sport fishing guide license is required in Michigan for anyone guiding on any water except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters and bodies of water with a surface area of less than 5 acres.
Tickets on sale for Educational Garden Conference

Tickets on sale for Educational Garden Conference

by | Mar 4, 2024 | General Information

The Master Gardener Society of Oakland County tickets are on sale for our 10th Annual Educational Garden Conference. April 20, 2024, 8 am-4 pm.“Gardening and All That Jazz – Garden Revival.” This event features four great topics by three nationally-known speakers: Joseph Tychonievich, Scott Beuerlein and Deborah Tricket. This event is open to all who love to garden. Master Gardeners receive 5 hours CE credit. $95 includes speaker handouts, an outstanding garden market, lunch and beverages, door prizes and our grand raffle. Always with a musical component, this year features lunchtime jazz by The Dave Bennett Trio. Contact Registar Ann Hudak with questions: [email protected], 248-812-9437. Register  and more information at: www.eventbrite.com/e/gardening-and-all-that-jazz-garden-revival-tickets-812465645617

QUICK LINK: www.eventbrite.com/e/gardening-and-all-that-jazz-garden-revival-tickets-812465645617

Girls Basketball Final Top 23

Girls Basketball Final Top 23

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Girls Basketball Final Top 23.

Written Friday March 1st at 5:30 PM

Here is the final top 23 rankings heading into the postseason.

  1. West Bloomfield (20-1): Lakers are ready for the postseason.
  2. Stoney Creek (16-5): Cougars are still vulnerable despite having home court this postseason.
  3. Clarkston (16-6): Wolves have won seven of nine with half of those without Elliana Robak.
  4. Lake Orion (14-8): Dragons have won six of seven is a great sign heading into the postseason.
  5. Berkley (17-5): Bears having their best season in years.
  6. Ferndale (16-3): Eagles are a team that could give anyone in their district problems.
  7. Oxford (10-11): Wildcats could get Sophia Raab back which could be huge.
  8. Bloomfield Hills (11-9): Blackhawks are playing their best basketball, winning four straight.
  9. Troy (14-8): Colts have top seed but they are still vulnerable in the postseason.
  10. Seaholm (14-8): Maples have been an odd team to figure out as of late.
  11. Royal Oak (16-6): Ravens have had a strong week, big test awaits in the postseason.
  12. Rochester (8-14): Falcons have a great chance to do some damage in the postseason.
  13. Groves (8-13): Falcons are 4-2 in their last six games heading into the postseason.
  14. Southfield Arts and Tech (12-9): Warriors defense is a serious concern in the postseason.
  15. Troy Athens (9-13): Red Hawks have been trending downward heading into the postseason.
  16. Adams (6-16): Highlanders are better than their record indicates.
  17. Harper Woods (8-11): Could the Pioneers be prone to an upset???
  18. Avondale (8-14): Yellow Jackets despite injuries are more than capable of pulling an upset.
  19. North Farmington (11-11): Raiders went 4-11 since a 7-0 start.
  20. Oak Park (5-12): Knights offensive issues are a big concern in the postseason.
  21. Pontiac (5-15): Phoenix close out the season with more wins than last season.
  22. Farmington (1-20): Falcons looked better against Garden City.
  23. Ferndale University (0-17): It has been a challenging year for the Eagles.
Girls Basketball Final Top 23

Stoney Creek wins State Crown in Cheerleading

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Stoney Creek wins Division One State Crown in Cheerleading.

Written Saturday March 2nd at 9:10 AM

The city of Rochester has enjoyed years of success holding the Division One or Class A State Crown in cheerleading.

Stoney Creek who hasn’t won the Division One State crown since 2019 took home this season’s title scoring 792.98. Adams who had a three year run as the Division One State Champion was second with 791.56, and powerhouse Rochester was third with 791.36.

The Cougars won the first two rounds while the Highlanders won the third round. Stoney Creek’s first two round scores was just enough to hold off the Highlanders and Falcons earning their first State crown in five years.

The Division One State crown still lives in Rochester, and it might be there for a long while.

Girls Basketball Final Top 23

Boys Basketball Regional Preview

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Boys Basketball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday March 2nd at 9:20 PM

Here is the Boys Basketball Regional Preview for the three remaining OAA teams left in Boys Basketball.

Region 7 @ Milford

CLARKSTON vs Grand Blanc

Milford vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. It could most likely be Orchard Lake St. Marys against Grand Blanc in the regional final but Clarkston and Milford might have other plans. The Mavericks don’t match up well with the Eaglets based on talent but they have home court and if they can slow things down and play their style then who knows what will happen in that game. The Wolves match the Bobcats pretty well even though Grand Blanc had a slow start to the season but have picked things up lately. Clarkston is coming off a hard earned district crown after having to win three games in five days which is great for Coach Tim Waslik. Both games are going to be very interesting.

PREDICTION: I see Orchard Lake St. Marys getting by Milford but Clarkston and Grand Blanc could be very tight. The Wolves have found ways to survive close and tight games lately but the Bobcats are a solid team and are riding with a ton of confidence. Either way I don’t see any of the three teams getting by the Eaglets but Clarkston or Grand Blanc could give them a game in the regional finals.

Region 6 @ Detroit Renaissance

NORTH FARMINGTON vs GROVES

Warren De LaSalle vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

THOUGHTS: There is a ton of storylines heading into this regional. North Farmington has a great chance at this regional pending if they can get by a very good Groves team. The Falcons are starting to get healthy again which is a great sign for Coach Marc West. The Raiders won both meetings over the Falcons but it’s always hard to beat a team three times in a season. Whoever wins that game will play a perennial Catholic League program in Warren De LaSalle or Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Cubs and the Pilots split their two regular season meetings.

PREDICTION: I see North Farmington coming out of this regional. The Raiders will have to likely see officials they aren’t familiar with like they did last season when they fell to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the regional finals. I think Coach Todd Negoshan will have his team and coaches more prepared this time around.