Sea Lampreys invaded our pristine Great Lakes in the late 1800s as our country developed a series of canals to link the shipping lanes in all the Great Lakes. The first sighting was in 1835 in Lake Ontario. By the mid-1930s they made their way to the upper Great Lakes. There are 5 distinct species of sea lampreys in our waters today, 4 are native to our waters but the sea lamprey is a true invader. Sometimes misidentified as eels they [...]
Riparian Rights are the basic rights all waterfront property owners enjoy and are guaranteed. The State of Michigan defines our riparian rights as "those rights which are associated with the ownership of the bank or shore of an inland lake or stream." With the average Michigander only 6 miles from a lake at any given time it is a good idea to learn your rights on the waterfront. Although court decisions and new laws can affect the exact nature of these [...]
Ice fishing is a tradition in many northern states of the United States. With the robust amount of natural inland lakes and cold weather during the winters we often get many inches of ice on lakes allowing for all kinds of fisherman to enjoy the sport all year long. People build little ice towns out on the ice, shanties with heaters and places to escape the wind while you fish through a small hole in the ice at your feet. [...]
If you live in Michigan and have listened to the news lately, it is likely that you have heard about the various instances of PFAS contamination in our water. With PFAS showing up in at 30 different sites at affecting 15 different communities. PFAS is an extremely dangerous chemical to humans and wild life that lingers in the environment for so long they are referred to as "forever chemicals." It has the ability to build up at the surface of the [...]
The Great Lakes Region has one of the most diverse and beautiful collection of waterfowl in North America. With 3000 miles of coast line in Michigan, dozens of species, various mating and breeding habits as well as migration routes there are plenty of opportunists to spot these birds all year round. This collection of birds attracts bird watchers, casual viewers and hunters a like every year. Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, this is the primary law protecting [...]
Boating in Michigan is a part of life in the Great Lakes State. Using proper safety precautions and complying with the latest procedures is a must before using your boat on the water. With the upcoming 2019 summer season only a few months away, it is always good to refresh yourself on the latest rules, laws and regulations for participating on Michigan's waters. First step is to register your watercraft with the state. This insures your boat is legal come time [...]
Fishing has long been a cherished pastime in Michigan and all of the surrounding Great Lakes states. With over 11,000 different lakes in Michigan alone. Fishing is a great source of fun and adventure for the experienced or junior sportsman; with that in mind here are some rules, procedures and laws that everyone looking to fish michigan's waters should be aware of. The first thing the sportsman must do is purchase a valid fishing license from a local license retailer or [...]
Running aground is no fun, just ask the captain of the Exxon Valdez. Over the last few years there have been some significant changes to the environment of Michigan’s lakes that directly impact those of us who own one of the 800,000+ boats registered in the state of Michigan. Michigan ranks third in the nation for boating population and recent developments in weather, both natural and political, have placed this crucial economic past time directly at the center of action. With [...]
