North Michigan News

State Rep. Cam Cavitt has voiced his support for the Michigan Sturgeon Protected and Exempt from Absurd Regulations Act, also known as the Michigan SPEAR Act, introduced by Congressman Jack Bergman. The act aims to prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services from listing Michigan lake sturgeon as an endangered species.

In a statement, Cavitt, who represents Cheboygan, emphasized the cultural significance of lake sturgeon fishing in Northern Michigan, stating, "It is impossible to understate the broad cultural significance of lake sturgeon fishing in Northern Michigan." He further highlighted that the SPEAR act would ensure that local fish and wildlife experts retain authority over sturgeon conservation efforts, protecting the activity from potential national bans advocated by some environmentalists. Cavitt added, “The SPEAR act would guarantee the feds cannot supersede the authority of our local fish and wildlife experts to please environmentalist radicals who want to see lake sturgeon fishing banned nationally.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been actively involved in sturgeon population preservation for over two decades, with significant efforts made to restock juvenile lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan River drainage through the Black Lake sturgeon facility. Notably, Blake Lake in Cheboygan County stands as one of the two locations in the United States where spearfishing of lake sturgeon is permitted, the other being Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. The sturgeon season at Blake Lake is closely monitored by the DNR, with regulations in place to control the harvest. Once the designated limit is reached, all sturgeon fishing activities cease.

Although the 2024 sturgeon season at Blake Lake was canceled due to safety concerns arising from inadequate ice conditions, previous seasons have seen strict regulations in place. The 2023 season lasted a mere 65 minutes, while the 2022 season concluded after just 36 minutes of fishing.

This proposal has sparked discussions and debates among stakeholders, emphasizing the delicate balance between conservation efforts and cultural practices surrounding sturgeon fishing in the region.