Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Anyone hear about this?

They want to stop all boating from sunset to 8AM on all inland lakes with public access

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ug0x5jdsz1dhepqkylcibwt3))/mileg.aspx?page=BillStatus&objectname=2019-HB-4362 (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ug0x5jdsz1dhepqkylcibwt3))/mileg.aspx?page=BillStatus&objectname=2019-HB-4362)

I have read a lot and have had probably 10 people from around Union Lake where I live contact me about it.  The guy that wrote it has stated it was written wrong and is re-writing it.   I think he is trying to change the rules on some Public lakes that have No High Speed Boating from 6:30 pm to 11:00 am.  Wolverine Lake is one of them.  His reasoning was people that work can't use the lakes in the evening or early morning.   

https://fox17online.com/2019/03/21/misinterpretation-leads-to-controversy-for-proposed-law/

He wants all lakes with public access in the state to have a no wake time Steve.

That I can't and won't swallow. Im not puttering from elk lake to torch in a tournament at 7 am or puttering across skegemog at 4 am to go duck hunting.

Its my understanding that this bill was pulled. 

He's supposedly rewriting it. Not sure if the error is how it's claimed, or the pile of phone calls and letters adjusted the original thought?!? Either way, good work to everyone who got active on this so fast! A pleasant surprise.

I asked our Congressional Sportsmen Foundation rep and MUCC to both let him know a great idea would be NO closed times on boat ramps and reduced limits on as many lakes as possible.

Unfortunately, lost in the shuffle is the other bill he introduced - HB 4361 - that most people who even noticed thinks it just makes it easier for people on 'private' lakes to not have to buy a fishing license.

Two problems most obvious right away: 1) the MDNR and our natural resource management budget doesn't need to take more hits by making even less people buy a fishing license (let alone some of these lakes definitely have benefited from our budget dollars with past fish management advice and even MDNR stocking!!); AND WORSE 2) the bill tries to broadly redefine what a 'private' lake is in an unacceptable way, i.e. no 'public access.' There are tons of public lakes that still don't have public access - example: Eagle Lake! Do they need more ammunition to try to keep the public off a lake the MDNR has even stocked fish in spending your and my money!?!

Can you see the people who already don't want us on 'their' (our public lakes) using this to fight potential new public access sites even harder... "but according to HB 4361, my lake is private." Most waters in Michigan are public. Period. The end. Buy a ##%$# fishing license!! It only costs $26 for a WHOLE YEAR!!! (And 'your' lake is actually my lake too - get over it!)