New Season for Fishing Licenses Begins April 1

By Cindy Denby

Now that the weather has warmed up, many Michigan residents are probably thinking about planning fishing trips in the next few months. Fishing is one of Michigan's greatest pastimes and to make sure residents are ready, the Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that April 1 beings a new license season. Prices remain the same as in 2011 and options for licenses include 24-hour, 72-hour, season-long restricted and season-long all species.

Money from fishing licenses funds a variety of activities including education and outreach to the public, information distribution, fish stocking, habitat rehabilitation and protection and fish management work. Buying a fishing license even if you don’t plan to fish can make a big difference for the future health of our Great Lakes.

To purchase a fishing license, residents can make the purchase in person at your local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center, use the online e-license system (www.mdnr-elicense.com) or from your smart phone visit www.mi.gov/fish. A driver's license number and credit card are required to make the purchase online or via phone.

Most residents probably don’t realize that Michigan was part of the War of 1812, but now  more than 200 years later, volunteers can enlist to help commemorate the war. The Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 is looking for residents and communities to plan ceremonies for mid-June to mark the 200th anniversary of declaring war on Great Britain.

Interested communities and residents can visit www.michigan.gov/war1812 to access event registration forms for submission, an event program template and further details to assist in developing event ideas. Completed forms and questions can be emailed to Dr. James McConnell, War of 1812 historian and commission secretary, at jam1776@sbcglobal.net.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please call me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via email at CindyDenby@house.mi.gov.