A Few Fishing Tips on the Great Lakes: Coming Up Empty Handed (Part-Time Commercial Fishing License Idea)

Escanaba Harbor

I go out fishing and come back empty handed. I keep think about in how like 5 years I would like to get a commercial fishing boat and fish as a hobby for a local store. If I regularly catch fish I probably would find at least one store that would offer it upon availability. There are a few commercial fisherman to the north in Munising that have tiny stores and still make a living at it. 

For me, I have no plans at making a living at it. It would just sort of be fun and allow me to go out a few days a week, fish, look for ship wrecks and do other stuff. It probably won't happen or I will abandon the idea before it ever takes hold but It just sort of a "What if" concept. 

It kind of brings up a concept in Michigan about commercial fishing license. Because the stocks have become depleted we have limited commercial licenses. I have heard most of the people hang on to their even though they don't fish anymore. If we can make it sustainable and most of the money goes into create net positives of fish supplies it may have a benefit (I have little political capital and most people won't listen to me because I'm not part of the "connected" crowd and I have a Muslim sounding name which some people will never be able to get around. However.....what I say makes sense. Its not completely thought out or the numbers but theoretically is possible to create sustainable systems if we don't divert for other political purposes.) 

We always run the risk that some of the difficulties we face in getting people to work together to solve problems such as cleaning and restoring our Great Lakes will force further serious declines in population and the health of the region. Solutions are about problem solving and exploring options. Our political staunchness limits who we listen to, the type of ideas that come forward and the political stakeholders served (To me it is the general will of  society and not any special interest.)

Our leaders are starting to see the benefit of protecting nature and developing future industrial capacity; They aren't mutually exclusive as efficiency in one leads to increased capacity and cleaner footprints. Whoever gave someone the right to destroy something for the benefit of a few without thinking about the long term benefits of the nation and its people?

In many ways I agree with our local Native American population that they have an important role in protecting what belongs to everyone. It is about time we start to listen and take into consideration the long-term eco health of the state and the world's largest body of fresh water (You can lead horses to water but if they don't drink that is a choice.).

It would be an interesting concept if we can restore our Great Lakes fishes and allow part-time commercial licenses with limited catches (Likely 1 hook 1 fish method). We then use the revenue from tax and license fee to put right back into the fish stocks. Not sure how that would work but it might be interesting to allow our local stores/restaurants to sell local fish as a tourism enhancement. 

For now I will just work on the other multitude of projects and slowly lollygag toward my idea. LOL

Trolling Tips

Best Lakes, Lures for Michigan Smallmouth Bass in June

Great Lakes Fisheries