Riders enjoy Michigan's forest road and trail system between Champion and Big Bay in Marquette County. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo)

A series of proposed updates to Michigan’s state forest roads is open for public review and comment.

The Department of Natural Resources regularly reviews and updates the state forest road inventory to keep it accurate and aligned with current regulations. This year’s proposed changes are based on field assessments conducted by DNR staff and a review of public feedback collected throughout the year.

Under Public Act 288 of 2016, off-road vehicle use is allowed on state forest roads unless otherwise designated by the DNR. The law also requires ongoing mapping and inventory of these roads.

This review applies only to state forest roads and does not affect ORV use on other roads, such as those managed by counties or townships.

The DNR invites the public to review the proposed updates and share input by Dec. 1 through any of the following options:

— Online: Go to Michigan.gov/ForestRoads to view an interactive map or download printable PDF versions of the proposed updates.

— Email: Send comments directly to DNR-RoadInventoryProject@Michigan.gov.

Public comments will also be accepted during upcoming Michigan Natural Resources Commission meetings in early 2026. The proposed updates will be presented for review at the commission’s January and February meetings, with a formal decision expected from the DNR director at the February meeting.

Updated state forest road maps, incorporating public feedback and management input, will be published online and take effect April 1.

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The Michigan DNR this fall is offering Deer Drop-In Mondays across the state. Hunters are invited to drop in and say hello. Harvested deer are welcome but not required.

Each Deer Drop-In Monday offers the chance to bring in a deer or lower jaw for aging, pick up free hunting swag and connect with DNR staff and fellow hunters.

Remaining dates are Nov. 3 and 17, and Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The Crystal Falls Field Office at 1420 U.S. 2 West is participating, along with customer service centers in Baraga, Escanaba, Marquette and Newberry.

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The DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye fishing was tough for most anglers, although some had caught a few walleye at the head of the bay. Those who targeted deeper depths during late mornings had little success. Perch anglers had reported mixed results, with most finding schools of perch, but only some were able to coax them into biting. Anglers had fished the narrows and the reefs in the upper bay.

Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth anglers had reported good fishing. They had caught high numbers of smallmouth, as well as numerous large fish. Tactics that had proven successful around Garden and Fayette included dragging suckers close to the bottom and drop-shotting artificial soft plastics. Yellow perch anglers had reported fair fishing.

Black River Harbor: Angling efforts from the harbor were fair over the past week. Reported catches consisted of lake trout in good numbers, with occasional coho salmon caught in lesser numbers. Anglers reported having the best luck when trolling in water depths of 100 to 120 feet.

Munising: The salmon bite slowed down over the past week. Boat anglers caught a few coho salmon while trolling the bay, with some splake mixed in. Anglers reported catching splake, coho salmon, and rainbow trout off the mouth of the Anna River, with spawn and casting spoons working best.

U.P Counties: Inland lakes showed mixed reports, with lakes near the northern Alger and Schoolcraft County line showing more success for pike, bass, and panfish than southern lakes. Good numbers of walleye and perch were reported on the Manistique Lakes. Salmon began showing up in the upper reaches of rivers in Mackinac County. The coho salmon run on the Two Hearted River proved difficult for most anglers with some anglers experiencing success.