As many of you are aware, the situation with Asian Carp invading the Great Lakes has been frustrating, with Federal agencies and the Supreme Court failing to take action to prevent the colonization of these fish into the Great Lakes.  Today I am writing you to finally provide you with some encouraging news.

Yesterday, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Representative Camp both introduced a legislative bill, “the Carp Act”, that would force the US Army and federal agencies into action.  The bill makes mandatory, numerous actions that are wise and justified - but have not yet occurred.  They are actions necessary to stave off the unimaginable damage that Asian Carp will have on the ecology and economy of the Great Lakes.  We can be thankful for the leadership our delegates are having on such a difficult issue.

I am also asking that you take this opportunity to send your comments of support for this legislation to our congressional delegates - you can reference it as “the CARP ACT” (#CAM10024).  This bill is attached to this email for your review.  Thank you for taking the time to support this important effort.  From here on out we are all going to have to help work for more good news and progress on this issue.

This week Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox launched StopAsianCarp.com, an online petition enabling you, your friends and family members across the Great Lakes region to help convince federal and local authorities responsible for carp infested waters to close the locks connecting them with Lake Michigan, protecting the region's $7 billion fishing industry and over 800,000 Michigan jobs connected to the health of the Lakes. Will you sign the petition today at StopAsianCarp.com?

MDNR is soliciting nominations for new gear restricted trout waters

For nearly the last year, Michigan Trout Unlimited and other coldwater fisheries stakeholder groups have been working in cooperation with the MDNR Fisheries Division to improve the current regulations for inland trout and salmon streams. As part of this process, the MDNR is now soliciting public input on sections of streams that would be good candidates for addition into gear-restrictions.

By definition, “gear-restricted” waters are where only artificial lures and flies are allowed to be used. State law limits the maximum number of river miles that may fall into this designation to approximately 212 miles. Presently only 97.4 miles of river have been designated with gear restrictions. It is the intent of the MDNR Fisheries Division to undertake a comprehensive review of possible candidates for addition to this category.

Starting on January 7, 2010 an internet email address, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , has been established for the public to provide these nominations directly to Fisheries Division staff. They will be accepting input until February 12, 2010. They are requesting that nominations be as specific as possible and include information such as; the specific section of stream being suggested (use road/bridge or landmark boundaries to identify the section being nominated), brief description of the rationale for why you believe the nomination is justified, and what you think the gear-restricted regulation should entail. Fisheries Order 213 is useful in providing general criteria to be considered for gear-restricted waters, and can be found at http://www.michigantu.org/index.php/conservation/54-resource-management.

Please take the opportunity to have your thoughts and opinions heard on this topic. Michigan TU will continue to be involved in the review process for those stream sections that become nominated. Thanks for taking the time to participate!