Five-year plan for Fisheries Division

The Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division has released its draft five-year strategic plan, which will guide its future management activities for 2013-2017. “Charting the Course: Fisheries Division’s Framework for Managing Aquatic Resources” can be found online at www.michigan.gov/fishing. The DNR encourages readers to share input on the draft plan’s proposed strategies for managing Michigan’s aquatic resources.

Public comments will be accepted through Feb. 10, 2013, and may be emailed to DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov.

According to Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter, the 2013-2017 strategic plan provides a vision and relevant activities for managing the various components of Michigan’s fisheries, including its fish, their habitat and anglers. It is designed to assist the division in meeting its long-standing responsibilities to protect, manage and enhance Michigan’s aquatic resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

“This strategic plan provides citizens with an overview of Fisheries Division’s current and future management of Michigan’s fishing resources,” said Dexter. “It also highlights the various ways we will continue to offer some of the best freshwater fishing opportunities in the country.”

The draft plan was developed through a process that engaged the public at large, Fisheries Division staff and constituent group leadership. More than 10,000 people provided input into the draft plan’s content through online surveys or phone interviews.