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Arcadia to Big Point Sable May 9, 2008 - Unfortunately, this is the best trap net information available for the Manistee area right now. The commercial fishermen report that they have six nets fishing between the point and the 8’s. They have two more around the 12’s. The net located at N 44.12.836 W 86.24.711 is a shallow set with the lead in around 45 fow and the pot in 70. There is another net approximately a ½ mile north in deeper water which may be missing the inside staff. They also have two nets in the Onekama area at N 44.20.471 W 86.22.026 and N 44-23-647 W 86.16.665. Please DO NOT take this to mean that these are the only nets in the lake. These are the nets being currently fished. There could very well be additional nets in the Manistee area that were left in the lake by other LRBOI licensed fishermen who are no longer fishing. The Tribal Conservation Department is going to be out on the lake this weekend and will do there best to locate ALL of the nets in the Manistee area. If the weather cooperates, we should have updated coordinates by early next week. May 8, 2008 - Today's update is more of a history lesson on the group of people who have been working together since last spring to ensure that Manistee's recreational and commercial fishing industries can co-exist in an environment that encourages open, active communication and community education. Participating Organizations Commercial Fishing Business Owners
Manistee Charter Boat Association
Manistee County Sport Fishing Association
Alliance for Economic Success (facilitator)
Manistee County Community Foundation
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
U. S. Coast Guard
City of Manistee
Michigan Sea Grant
Manistee Convention and Visitors Bureau
Manistee News Advocate Initiatives - The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI) has volunteered to serve as a conduit for information about net locations and commercial fishing operations from commercial fishing businesses to sources that will communicate information - The Manistee Charter Boat Association updates their web site with net information as soon as it is received from LRBOI. - The Alliance for Economic Success updates a hard copy "card" that contains the GPS coordinates and a map showing the general location of nets that is distributed at launch sites and through all county marinas. This card is updated as new net information is obtained. - The Manistee Convention and Visitors Bureau dedicates space in their facility on US 31 in the City of Manistee with information about commercial fishing activity and net locations. - The Manistee County Sport Fishing Association provides information about commercial fishing activity and net locations to their members in conjunction with member meetings and the upcoming Manistee County Sport fishing tournament in June. - The City of Manistee has developed a large display sign which pinpoints the location of commercial fishing nets as new information is received and is located at the Lake Michigan launch site near the Manistee harbor. - Everyone is encouraged to use the State of Michigan’s "RAP" toll-free hotline and or to contact the Manistee Coast Guard if they observe any existing or potential threat or unusual circumstance on Lake Michigan. - The LRBOI has agreed to produce a video on the commercial fishing business which can be made available to the public and shown on public access television. - The commercial fishing businesses have welcomed all visitors to visit their land-based place of business to ask questions and learn about their operations. - Representatives of commercial fishing business and the Manistee Charter Boat Association are looking into optional methods for improving the visibility of net markings. - Sport anglers have completed a ride along with commercial/tribal fishermen
May 7, 2008 - If you haven't already, please check out our Trap Net Links for additional information such as pictures from our "Ride Along" with Manistee's commercial fishermen and the LRBOI's consent degree expenditures.
May 6, 2008 - The Mercury, a 40-foot chub boat licensed by the LRBOI and operated by Larry Smith sank at its dock in Ludington March 21st. Crews from Abrahamson Marine were able to bring it to the surface of Pere Marquette Lake yesterday.  
May 5, 2008 - The LRBOI's tribal conservation boat will be back in service this week. We should have updated coordinates by early next week if the weather cooperates with their patrol schedule.
April 30, 2008 - The following is a quick summary of today's net meeting. At this time, it looks like we will see a reduction in the number of trap nets in the Manistee area. The commercial fishermen reported that they plan to remove three nets in the next couple of weeks. Tribal Conservation has been delayed getting their boat in the water while they wait for parts. The parts are on back order and they have been unable to locate a dealer with the parts in stock. MDNR has recently issued tickets for nets that lost markers over the winter months. The commercial fisherman reported that the Shamrock was removed from the Arthur Street ramp but that the recovery delayed other projects out on the lake. Tribal Conservation's boat problems have delayed updated coordinates for this web site, the sign at the launch, and 2008 "net cards". Boating season is here and updated coordinates are needed as soon as possible.
CLICK Diagram for larger image of Manistee Trap Net Markings. 
April 18, 2008 Update - S&S Fisheries called to report a new net today. Please be advised that this net is shallower than their others. The commercial fishermen report that it is located at approximately N 44.12.836 W 86.24.711. The pot is in 70 fow and the inside staff is in aprox 45 fow. The lead for this net extends at least 30 feet up from bottom so there isn't much open water above it.
The following list of nets in the Manistee area without proper marking was provided by MDNR. Please note this list is several weeks old and the commercial fishermen have been out remarking and removing nets since the DNRs last patrol. 1. N 44’04.287 W 86’31.223 92ft - One staff buoy
2. N 44’04.712 W 86’31.001 112ft - Two floats. UTL license number/staff
3. N 44’04.854 W 86’31.252 159ft - Two floats tied together, single float near-by.
4. N 44’04.997 W 86’31.022 150ft. - Four floats tied together. UTL staff or license number.
5. N 44’05.496 W 86’30.744 166ft. - Staff without flag no other floats observed.
6. N 44’05.939 W 86’29.895 - Staff with flag no license number observed.
7. N 44’05.736 W 86’29.691 60ft. - Staff with orange over black flags. UTL number.
8. N 44’10.351 W 86’25.937 114ft. - One bullet float
9. N 44’13.777 W 86’24.928 88ft. - THIS NET HAS BEEN REMOVED
10. N 44’08.331 W 86’27.345 99ft. - No marking on surface.
11. N 44’06.866 W 86’29.294 131ft. - Floats on surface, no staff. Marked suspended gear.
12. N 44’05.242 W 86’30.677 130ft. - Floats no staff. Note: These coordinates may be portions of nets or complete nets. DO NOT TAMPER WITH NET MARKINGS. It is against the law and puts others at risk. Click here for a printable pdf version of this page It is important for MDNR record keeping that all net related incidents be reported to the commercial fisheries division by calling the RAP hotline (800-292-7800). If possible, record the GPS location, time, weather, sea conditions, and the presence and type of any flags, buoys, floats or other net markings.
CLICK HERE for our commercial fishing links. |
Outdoor Life has included Manistee on their list of "Top 200 Towns for Anglers and Hunters". (more) 
Commercial Net Information 
