SPEAR FISHING SEASON H.B. 6271:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 6271 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Steve Lindberg
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 9-17-08
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to extend the spear fishing season for certain species.
Currently, a person may spear carp, suckers, mullet, redhorse, sheepshead, lake trout, smelt, northern pike, muskellunge, whitefish, ciscoes, pilot fish or Menominee whitefish, sturgeon, catfish, bullheads, dogfish, and garpike through the ice in inland Michigan waters not otherwise closed to spearing during the months of January and February. Under the bill, a person could spear these species through the ice during the months of December, January, and February, as well as the first two weeks of March.
Additionally, the bill would allow whitefish to be taken with a spear during the month of November from the waters of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
MCL 324.48701 & 324.48703 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb6271/0708