Downriver Walleye Federation

Southeast Michigan’s Premier Walleye Fishing Club!

News & Notes

The MDNR Has Recently Released A Wealth Of Information On Our Great Lakes Fisheries

June 28th, 2026, The newly released “Creel Survey Report” provides a comprehensive analysis of recreational fisheries across Michigan’s Great Lakes waters, summarizing extensive 2025 creel and charter data while evaluating long-term trends from 2000 to 2025.

Prepared by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, the report details a massive data collection effort encompassing over 21,140 angler interviews and 20,772 charter trips, which altogether tracked 4.48 million hours of angling effort and the catch of 3.50 million fish. Key findings highlight shifting ecosystem dynamics, including a stabilized baseline for fishing effort after historical declines, a time-series high for Walleye harvest in Lake Huron, and sustained regional decreases in Yellow Perch populations.

To examine the complete data tables, historical corrections, and full management implications of these shifting fishery dynamics, you are invited to review the full PDF document; CLICK HERE.

4th Of July Update On Fishing Bills In The State House

House Bill 5093 (The License Fee & Hatchery Stamp Bill)
  • Current Status: Stalled in Committee.
  • The Details: Introduced back in October 2025 by Rep. Curt VanderWall, this bill proposes restructuring recreational fishing licenses, lowering the required age to 16, and adding a mandatory $5 hatchery stamp to take certain sport fish like salmon and trout.
  • Legislative Movement: After its initial reading, it was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism. It has sat there without a vote to move it to the house floor. Notably, multiple Republican co-sponsors have formally requested to have their names removed from the bill, signaling a drop in internal political momentum. Because it is tie-barred to a yet-unintroduced bill, it remains completely deadlocked.
House Bills 5801 & 5802 (The Commercial Fishing Quota Bills)
  • Current Status: Under Heavy Committee Scrutiny & Facing Severe Backlash.
  • The Details: Introduced as a pair in April 2026 by Rep. Dave Prestin, these deeply controversial companion bills seek to revamp Great Lakes commercial fishing regulations. Anglers and conservation groups are pushing back heavily because the bills propose allowing commercial netting quotas for primary sport fish like walleye, yellow perch, and lake trout.
  • Legislative Movement: Both bills were referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism. While they are technically still in the first stages of the legislative pipeline (introduced status), they are experiencing a massive wave of friction. Over May and June 2026, a long list of bipartisan co-sponsors (including Reps. Douglas Wozniak, Ken Borton, Reggie Miller, and several others) have drastically backed away, officially removing their sponsorship as angling groups and the Michigan DNR voice rigid opposition to the text.

Summary Takeaway: All three bills are currently resting in the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism. None of them have been put up for a full floor vote, and both initiatives are seeing original legislative supporters actively withdraw their names due to mounting pressure from the fishing community.

DWF Donates $500 To “We Fixin To Fish” Organization

 

June 15th, 2026, Club President, Terry Pickard, is shown here presenting a $500 check to Tracey Webb of the “We Fixin To Fish” Organization. “We Fixin To Fish” is a charitable organization that focuses on getting kids outside and interested in fishing! Tracey is one of the founding members.

She and her sister Deborah made a presentation at our April membership meeting and our DWF Board then voted in favor of the donation at our May Board meeting.

The presentation took place on June 15th during our annual Fish Fry at the Gibraltar Community Center.

DWF Sends Letters Of Opposition To HB 5801 and 5802

May 19th, 2026, The DWF submitted letters of opposition to the Michigan DNR and to the Michigan Anglers Consortium prior to the May 20th Committee Hearing in Lansing. The letters were signed by Club President Terry Pickard and extended the Club’s majority view that these two bills, as currently written, should not be signed into law.  To see a copy of the letter, click HERE.

The DWF Has Endorsed Michigan House Bill (HB) 5093

April 28th, 2026, Following a straw pole vote at the 4/20 DWF Membership meeting and a formal vote at the 4/27 DWF Board of Directors Meeting, the DWF has added their endorsement to a long list of supporters backing the advancement of HB 5093.

This Bill is being spearheaded by the Great Lakes Salmon Initiative (GLSI) – Ed Blissick, President. It addresses primarily fishing license fees and regulations affecting fishing license fees in the State of Michigan. The purpose of the Bill is to reinstate fiscal viability to the Michigan DNR, Fisheries Division after many years of declining revenues. Click Here for more details about the Bill.

MUCC Shutting Down After Nearly 90 Years

May 4th, 2026, The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is being dissolved. They are expected to cease operations by Mid June of this year. The MUCC has been a huge presence on the Michigan outdoor landscape for nearly 90 years. Click HERE to read the announcement.