The Department of Natural Resources today announced that its Fisheries Division is seeking public input on a draft proposal to increase the number of lines (rods) allowed for use while fishing. If adopted, the regulation would apply on all Great Lakes and inland waters.

Currently, recreational anglers are limited to two single lines or two single rods and lines while fishing. One exception exists that allows anglers trolling for trout or salmon in the Upper Great Lakes to use three lines. The regulation change under consideration is to allow anglers the use of three lines statewide.

The existing regulations have been in place for more than 80 years. The DNR views this proposal as an opportunity to increase angler satisfaction by allowing additional effort, without harming the resource.

"It is highly unlikely that a change in the regulation to allow three lines per angler statewide will have any adverse biological consequences for the state's fishery resources, although we do have some concerns related to ice fishing," said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith. "Currently three lines are allowed on the Great Lakes while trolling for trout and salmon, so the new proposal would simplify our regulations from an enforcement perspective."

DNR staff have identified limited areas where an increase in the number of lines may present difficulties, namely piers and during ice fishing.

"Because this is not a biological issue regarding potential threats to overharvesting populations of fish, this really comes down to social issues and perspectives," said Jim Dexter, DNR Lake Michigan Basin coordinator. "Some anglers may be able to manage three lines quite efficiently and harvest their limit faster, but others may find trying to manage three lines difficult."

A "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) list has been posted to the DNR Web site and is available at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing under the Fishing menu. The angling community is invited to access this document and send email comments on the proposal by June 13 to DNR-Fish-3lines@michigan.gov. For those who do not have internet access a copy of the FAQ can be obtained by calling one of the contacts listed.