Downriver Walleye Federation
Southeast Michigan’s Premier Walleye Fishing Club!
News & Notes
Very Sad News Hits The DWF
On August 24th the DWF lost a great friend and a powerful influence on our organization when Paul Doute suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.
Paul has been a member of the DWF for about twenty five years and during that time he has served on our Board of Directors almost continuously, He has served as President, Vice President and most recently as Club Treasurer.
But more important than the offices he’s held, Paul was a passionate supporter of the DWF and the entire fishing community that he was such an important part of. He will always be remembered as a kind and generous man who always extended a helping hand to anyone who needed it and shared so much knowledge about fishing and life with everyone he knew.
We’re going to miss him and his easy smile and warm greetings!
Our condolences go out to Paul’s family; especially his lovely wife Karen, his three beautiful daughters, Lauren, Sarah and Allysa. Also to his brothers Chuck and Ted along with the rest of the entire Doute family. God Bless you all during this very difficult time.
To view details about the arrangements “Click Here”
Members Make Big Donation To The DWF
August 6th, 2026, DWF Member, Board Member and Merchandise Director Thom McCollum and his wife Anita have very generously gifted our Club a brand new Digital Projector to replace the 20+ year old model we’ve been using. This generous gift will save us all a lot of eyestrain at our future meetings and other events. Please take a moment to thank Thom and Anita when you see them next.
Last Chance For Tournament Glory in 2026 is Coming Up Quick.
July 25th, 2026, Our final Club Tournament for 2026 is coming up on Saturday, September 26th. This will be the annual Mike Barkley Memorial Perch Tournament. It gives us an opportunity to remember Mike, who did so much for the DWF over the years, and to enjoy a great event ending with a fine meal and a lot of camaraderie at the West Jefferson Bar and Grill. This is one of our most popular events of the year.CLICK HEREto get all the details and to sign up over on our website.
Outdoorama Is Going Away!
July 24th, 2026, We have been informed by Showspan that the Outdoorama Show will not be coming back to our winter show schedule in 2027. It was obvious that the popularity of the show was waning over the past few years so they’ve made the decision not to bring it back. Not to worry though, the Ultimate Fishing Show will still take place in January and the DWF Booth will still be a part of it. We’re also told the a Hunting focused sportsman’s show is in the planning stages for February.
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.
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.
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.