[Firefighter]

Fisheries Order 219.18 specifies spearing regulations, and currently panfish spearing through the ice is not allowed, with the exception of perch on Lake St. Clair.

Fishing license sales have precipitously fallen since their peak of approximately 2 million in the late 80's. Youth recruitment and retention is paramount to reduce this trend and preserve resources for future generations. Opportunities providing high levels of action create an excellent chance for youth to establish an early and potentially lasting love of the outdoors. Panfish spearing has the potential to be just this gateway activity. Equipment required is minimal, it would be enjoyed from the warmth of a shanty, and the visual stimulation combined with the physical action and alertness of actively "hunting " plentiful species, albeit in a challenging way, would thoroughly enjoyed by youth and adults alike.

I'd like to hear thoughts both in favor of, or opposed to, and gauge interest.

All constructive input is appreciated.

 

[maddiedog]

Of course I support it. Why we can't spear every fish legal to catch through ice is rediculous. Way harder to spear them.

 

[Nick Lindsley]

We are allowed to spear them out here in SD. Challenging for me as they are usually way deeper have gotten a few and damn fun to try. Also trying to make a "perch spear"...on version 3 but slowly getting better.

 

[Lerms]

I would love it, I have a blast every year on LSC spearing perch. Wish I could do it on my everyday lakes also.

 

[TheMAIT]

I think it's a great idea...

 

[Whitetail_hunter]

Absolutely.

 

[wpmisport]

I have not seen what a pan fish spear looks like but it would seem that a good portion of the edible meat would be destroyed. What percentage of the fish would not be kept because it would not be worth the effort?
Maybe you could make nice fillets out of all the speared pan fish.

 

[Jimbo 09]

Absolutely. Love perch spearing. Would be nice to be able to do it in all lakes. It shouldn’t matter how you get your fish as long as you follow the limits.

 

[anon02032020]

Omg spearing panfish. I'm good. That's what a jig rod is for.

 

[david boyko]

The only problem I see with it is some guys don't know how to make sure their holes are marked.

 

[on a call]

Oh crap....u mean it is not legal ??

 

[mondrella]

All for it! It should not matter its a legal method for some fish but not all makes no sense. Its very selective method of harvest.

 

[zer0]

I have not seen what a pan fish spear looks like but it would seem that a good portion of the edible meat would be destroyed. What percentage of the fish would not be kept because it would not be worth the effort?
Maybe you could make nice fillets out of all the speared pan fish.

Tines with a smaller diameter are used to make perch spears, this negates the meat loss. One of the cheap frog gig spear heads commonly found in most fishing sections would also suffice.

I would assume that when speaking of meat loss, you are in reference of larger spears, which are constructed to take larger fish such as pike musky and sturgeon.

 

[Gamekeeper]

The OP actually thinks that expanding a sport practiced by almost no one, while thousands are book and line fishing already, is somehow the answer to declining license sales?

Hint, allowing people to spear bluegill isn't going to get Johnny off the couch, and to put down his nintendo.

 

[plugger]

I would include bass also.

 

[Swampdog467]

I'm for it. Sounds like a good time. I think it was legal here at one time, my grandma used to tell me stories about spearing all types of fish back in the 1920's and 30's. She told me she once speared a muskrat that was coming in the shanty with her. I'd like to have been there for that!

Sent from my XT1585 using Michigan Sportsman mobile app

 

[sureshot006]

The OP actually thinks that expanding a sport practiced by almost no one, while thousands are book and line fishing already, is somehow the answer to declining license sales?

Hint, allowing people to spear bluegill isn't going to get Johnny off the couch, and to put down his nintendo.

I think we all know that... it wouldnt change a thing. Could be fun for those who already are into spearing though. Might sell a few more spears to guys who get frustrated by the big pannies that just stare.

 

[Gamekeeper]

I think we all know that... it wouldnt change a thing. Could be fun for those who already are into spearing though.

It's like the MPI bs.
Wrapping a personal desire in a lie to get support is bs.

 

[JMK1878]

Im all for it. Spearing a fish is much harder than tossing a jig down on a rod. Why can a jig and rod guy take 25 panfish but a spear guy cant take 10?


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[zer0]

I wonder which category the negative reactions fall into?

opposed, on the grounds of a desire not to participate
opposed, on the grounds to block participation for others