DNR considering zero-bag limit

INDIAN RIVER -- Mullett Lake in Cheboygan County is a popular spot among anglers, but the declining population of walleye is sparking a lot of discussion.

The current walleye population in Lake Mullett is estimated by the Department of Natural Resources to be approximately 2,600.

"Compared to ten years ago or so when we did one it was 14- to 15 thousand so we've seen some decline in population,” said Dr. Kelley Smith, Chief of the DNR’s Fisheries Division.

As a way to help manage the population the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering halting walleye harvesting for the 2010 fishing season.

“Right now we have a recommendation out for information that does set a zero bag limit for Mullett Lake for the 2010 fishing season,” Smith said. “Part of the reason for that is because we are still working up information that we are collecting this year to determine what appropriate regulations would be useful in terms of managing and protecting the stock but still creating good opportunities for fishing.

While it’s one idea being put out there, DNR officials aren’t telling anglers to put away their hooks just yet.

"I think there are workable solutions here,” Smith said. “The question is what will they be. Mostly what we have to work with are bag limits and seasons."

But, some have questioned the purpose of putting off harvesting for a year if local tribes will still be allowed to harvest walleye. Under the 2007 Inland Consent Decree tribal members from Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community, and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are allowed to harvest up to 17.5 percent of the 35 percent population. (Find a link to learn more about the 2007 Inland Consent Decree below)

“A lot of people have asked me if the tribes weren’t in the mix would we still be doing this? The answer is yes we would. The point is we wouldn’t have done it this year we would have done it next year when we had all of our information and the time to talk to the public b/c the population is low,” Smith said.

“The tribal system of harvest is a very regulated system, it’s a permit oriented system so in order to go out and harvest you have to get a permit in advance,” said Douglas Craven, director of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resource Department. “It’s a much more strict and structured process.”

When it comes down to it, leaders with the tribal DNR and the Michigan DNR both say the move, if made, would be a measure to help protect the resources of Mullet Lake.

“The bottom line is the resource, we’re concerned about the resource we want to work with the MDNR to make sure the resource is as best as it can be,” Craven said.

While Smith says there are several options on the table, here’s where the proposed order moves to next.

The Department of Resources Committee will review and discuss the order at their upcoming meeting on Thursday, November 5 in Lansing. The final decision will be made by DNR Director Rebecca Humphries at their final meeting on December 3.

Representatives from the Michigan DNR and tribal DNR will be on hand for a town hall meeting next week to meet with the public to further discuss varied ideas and to learn more from the public. That meeting will be held Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. at the Tuscarora Township Hall, 3546 South Straits Highway, in Indian River.

Click HERE to read the current proposed zero-bag limit order (FO-206) in its entirety.
Click HERE to learn more about the 2007 Inland Consent Decree.