Master Angler Progam

[wicklundrh]

Looking back on my times fishing the lakes, rivers, and streams we get to call home in the great state of Michigan, I wish this program was available.

Last year, Michigan decided to make the program a lot easier. They have had the catch and release category for quite some time, but the catch and keep category has always been based on weight. Now, unless you have a potential record, everything is done by length.

With most everyone owning and carrying a phone with a camera, the master angler program has been made easier and my hope is that it becomes more popular when people realize just how easy it is to do. Simply snap a picture of the entire fish on a measuring board or device. I also take a second photo showing the tail section next to the actual length. Pinching the tail will help determine the overall maximum length. Once this is accomplished, complete the PDF entry form and either mail it (with photos) to the attached address or, better yet, email it (with photos) to the assigned email address.

Within a couple of weeks you will receive a letter with a patch indicating that the fish was accepted. You will also receive a rankings sheet on where you fish ranked based on last years results.

The fun part is at the end of the year when you get to see how your fish stacked up to other fish within the state. You have to remember that when you catch a fish (in whatever species) that qualifies for the award, you are catching a fish in the top 1% of that species. Something to be proud of regardless of what it is.

Over the last few years I have made it my personal goal to get a Master Angler award for each species I target. I find it fun to look at the results at the end of the year. Boy I wish I would have been able to do it when I was young. The countless blue gills, crappie, salmon, steelhead... that I have caught.

Every year the numbers are adjusted based on entries. Last year (and this year) the length for a Perch was 14 inches. They have so few entries that I suspect the number will be decreased for a few years. Blue gills was actually increased from a few years ago and Crappies have gone up and down over the last several years. It sure gives you a bench mark to shoot for.

This is a link to get all the information you need including rankings dating back to 2001.
DNR - Master Angler Awards

Attached is photos submitted for a master Angler sheep head I caught while tournament fishing last weekend. I actually caught a much bigger one I release without photographing. Looking back I found out what the State record for this fish (caught last year in Muskegon) was. I'm not sure my fish would have made it but it would have been close. I keep a copy of the minimum requirements on my phone at all times! Good luck and I hope to see your names in the list for next year!