BLACK LAKE, Mich. — Because of sketchy ice conditions on Black Lake in northern Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is canceling its 2024 sturgeon season.
It was scheduled to start on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The DNR sets a harvest limit for each Black Lake sturgeon season.
But because of the current ice conditions, which state officials say is marginal, the DNR is concerned they wouldn't be able to track the harvest effectively.
“In addition to protecting the lake sturgeon population, the safety of anglers and staff is critically important," said Randy Claramunt, DNR Fisheries chief. “We encourage all anglers across Michigan to use extreme caution while on the ice, as we have been experiencing above-average temperatures.”
This is the first time the Black Lake sturgeon season has been canceled. It's too soon to tell if this cancellation will impact the harvest limit next year.
You can read the DNR's memo here.
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