New harvest rules for Hanbury, Gibson lakes
Outdoors report
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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Daily possession limits that allow harvesting smaller northern pike in select lakes are now in effect following approval from the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.
During its Wednesday meeting, the NRC enacted regulation changes to Fisheries Orders 206, which became effective Friday.
Hanbury Lake in Dickinson County, Gibson Lake in Iron County, Au Sable Lake in Ogemaw County and Clear Lake in Mecosta County are now on the list of waters with a daily possession limit of up to five northern pike, with only one fish 24 inches or greater allowed.
Data from these waters indicate a slow-growing northern pike population, meaning fewer larger fish are present, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Anglers and law enforcement officials supported this change, the DNR said.
The changes are not reflected in the printed version of the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations. Anglers are reminded to check the digital version online at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for the most current regulatory information.
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Wisconsin’s first trapping seasons of the fall open today.
During these periods, other outdoor recreators should be aware that traps may be present on public lands. Outdoor recreators can decrease their chance of encountering a trap on any property by staying on designated trails and keeping pets leashed.
According to the DNR, modern trapping practices are based on thorough evaluations of commercially available traps and common trapping methods, commonly known as best management practices.
For more, go to https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Trap.
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The 2026 pheasant season in Wisconsin opens at 9 a.m. today and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027.
The opening weekend has a daily bag limit of one rooster per day. Starting Monday, the daily bag limit increases to two roosters per day. This limit remains in place for the remainder of the season.
Pre-stocking efforts began this week to ensure birds are on the landscape for the season opener. The DNR plans to stock approximately 65,000 pheasants from the state game farm on 82 properties statewide.
Stocking for the 2026 pheasant season will end Nov. 19. This is earlier than in years past and is a necessary cost-saving measure due to budget shortfalls, the DNR said.
Shawano County is among the stocking locations. For a full list, go to https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/pheasantstocking/Index.aspx.
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The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula activity:
Little Bay de Noc: Windy conditions restricted angling efforts and access to fishable areas. Anglers reported fair fishing when casting for northern pike and smallmouth bass. Northern pike anglers reported doing well near vegetation and windblown points. Anglers targeting walleye reported fair fishing in the upper bay, with expectations that action will improve as water temperatures decrease. Anglers trolled harnesses and casting jig heads with live bait.
Marquette: A few reports indicated shore anglers caught lake trout and coho salmon off the lower breakwall near the lighthouse during early morning and late evening hours. Boat anglers trolling near the river mouths out of Lower Harbor caught fair numbers of coho salmon and steelhead, along with an occasional Chinook salmon. Brown trout remained one of the most consistently caught species in both the Chocolay River and Carp River. Following recent rain, fish movement upstream increased significantly, resulting in a substantial surge in coho salmon numbers. Anglers also reported catching steelhead in the Carp River, with a few additional reports from the Chocolay River, particularly near the river mouth.
Munising: Boat anglers found success targeting coho salmon while trolling the bay, with a few splake mixed in. Anglers fishing the mouth of the Anna River did well with coho salmon and splake when casting spoons and using spawn.
Manistique: Chinook salmon were reported in the river, with anglers catching them on beads, skein, and shallow-diving, brightly colored crankbaits or spinners. Anglers reported that fish appeared to be nearing the end of the run, though enough fish remained in the river to provide active angling.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported fair fishing, with catches consisting primarily of coho salmon and splake while trolling and casting near shore around river mouths. A few brown trout were also caught. Shore anglers reported steady fishing, with many catching coho salmon and splake.