New for 2006
On the following waters, bass may be caught and released on the dates listed. All bass caught must be immediately (see immediate release info below) returned to the water. All Lower Peninsula waters including Great Lakes: Last Saturday in April through the Friday before Memorial Day
Catch and Immediate Release means each fish must be returned immediately to the water without injury, and may not be possessed. When practicing catch and release, please follow these suggestions to reduce the risk of injury to the fish:
1. Land your catch carefully and quickly. Avoid handling the fish at all and remove the hook with pliers.
2. Use a landing net made of soft or knotless mesh and always try to net your fish head first.
3. Try to keep the fish in the water and gently cradle it while carefully removing the hook.
4. Leave your fish in the water until you are ready to take a photo.
5. Keep your fingers out of the fish's gills since a torn gill could cause the fish to bleed to death.
6. Touch your fish as little as possible. Always wet your hands when touching your fish.
7. Cut the line near the hook if the fish is deeply hooked. A steel hook will rust away leaving the fish unharmed.
8. Release your fish pointing it into a slow current or gently moving it back and forth until it's gills are working properly and the fish regains it's balance. Once fully recovered, allow the fish to swim from your hands (big fish may take longer to recover).
This information was gleamed from the Michigan Fishing Guide - Rules apply from April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2008