A few years back, the state of Michigan wanted to make the progam a little bit easier. They had very few submissions under the old process for a couple of reasons. One, many people catch a large fish and want to release it. The old system, you had to take your fish to a registered scale, have it weighted, verified, have witnesses and so on. The other issue was finding a registered scale.
The new program allows you to simply take a photo of the fish (became easier with the new cell phones everyone has) and send it in to the DNR with the appropriate paperwork downloaded from the website. The picture must clearly show the fish (from head to tail) with the length (usually done on a ruler).
I've seen some of the certificates and patches and they look really nice. I've always said I would like to do it as I catch many master angler fish every year. In the end, I simply cross them off my own list in my head.
It is fun to carry the list with you. Gives you a new prospective about the fish you catch. Plus, it will make you laugh when you start comparing fish you catch to "stories" you hear. Common one is: I didn't bring one blue gill back under 9 inches..... or... all the crappies I caught were 15 inches or better.... (both of which are master angler requirments)
Some are hard, some are easy. Always fun to have a little scoreboard. Since I started keeping track, my daughter has more than I do! I must be doing something right.
In Michigan, they have the "10 pounder Club" for walleyes. Guys fish their whole lives for one and then get it mounted when they catch it. In Michigan, the master angler for walleye by weight is 11lbs, and by length (catch and release) is 29 inches. Looking over my data over the last two years (I keep track) I've released 27 fish that meet, one or both of the criteria.... not to bad if you ask me.
Keep a log book, you will have fun with it. Plus, it will help you tremendiously when you venture back the same spots.
I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"
Likes: 
Thanks: 
HaHa: 
Reply With Quote
