Operators and passengers are all required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV in Wisconsin, effective June 1. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Off-highway recreational vehicle operators are urged by Department of Natural Resources officials to wear helmets and seatbelts and follow route and trail rules this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the rest of the year.

To date, Wisconsin has had 14 ATV/UTV fatalities, including nine on public roadways.

“The vast majority of significant injury and fatal crashes show injured or killed riders were not wearing seatbelts or helmets,” said Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, Wisconsin DNR off-highway vehicle administrator. “Speed, alcohol and careless operation are among top contributing factors to crashes each year.”

According to 2025 statewide ORV crash data in Michigan, there were more than 700 reported crashes, including 32 fatalities and over 500 personal injuries. Crashes are primarily due to excessive speed, careless operation and parents not supervising children who are operating ORVs, the DNR said.

“Most ORV crashes can be avoided,” said Acting Cpl. Sidney LaLonde, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement ORV and snowmobile specialist. “When operators ride too fast, they are more likely to lose control when they hit even the smallest bump or try to make turns or stop. Always ride within your and the machine’s capabilities.”

Here are more safety tips:

— When traveling on routes, operate in single file on the extreme right side of the traffic lane.

— Keep headlights on at all times.

— Follow speed limits and regulatory signs.

— Use directionals or hand signals.

— Adhere to all age and safety class requirements.

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The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye fishing was reported as fair. Anglers trolled crankbaits or crawler harnesses, while some reported catching walleye on jigs with live bait or soft plastics. Smallmouth bass anglers reported good fishing. Anglers observed fish on beds but also reported catching fish around shallow vegetation and areas of sandy rock.

Munising: Boat anglers trolling reported a fair coho salmon bite outside the bay and around Grand Island, with a few good-sized Chinook salmon. Boat anglers targeting lake trout did well while trolling or jigging. Anglers fishing off the Anna River mouth did well targeting splake, with spawn or casting spoons working the best.

Manistique: Steelhead anglers reported good fishing in the river. Most anglers drifted beads under a float. Some anglers elected to use a fly rod in very shallow areas of the river. Orange, pink, and chartreuse were popular bead colors.

Marquette: Steelhead fishing was reported slow in both the rivers and the harbor. Brown trout continued to be caught by both boat and river anglers in the Chocolay River. In the lower harbor, the coho salmon bite remained consistent, with a few Chinook salmon caught as well.

Keweenaw Bay: Anglers reported fair numbers of coho salmon, with an occasional brown trout caught while trolling stickbaits, spoons, and flasher-flies in the upper portion of the water column. Anglers jigging for lake trout seen some success, along with whitefish anglers who had reported a fair bite. Shore anglers reported catching a few coho salmon and splake.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling nearshore reported fair numbers of lake trout, coho salmon and steelhead when using stick baits and spoons. Anglers also reported the occasional brown trout and steelhead being caught. Anglers targeting lake trout had some success when jigging artificial lures and natural baits.

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river increased greatly as anglers hit the water in search of walleye. Reports suggested a good start to the season, as walleye were caught in fair numbers. Following the first few days of fishing, rain showers had muddied the river water and slightly deterred angling efforts. Anglers fishing from boats seemingly had the most success when trolling. Shore anglers also had luck fishing with live bait.