The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that effective Jan. 1, 2013, multiple changes have been made to the state’s Master Angler program. This program recognizes large fish caught by recreational anglers and has been in place since 1973.

To determine whether changes were necessary for the Master Angler program, the DNR’s Fisheries Division reviewed entries from the past five years and determined the minimum entry weight and length needed to be updated for several species, including: Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout, bullhead, channel catfish, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, crappie, freshwater drum, muskellunge, rainbow trout, rock bass and smallmouth bass.

The changes to the entry criteria were based on the number of entries received for individual species from the past five years, as well as environmental changes over the last several decades that have impacted fish growth in Michigan. As a result the entry criteria for some fish have been increased while others were decreased.

“The last five years have proven that catching certain species of fish of larger size in Michigan has become more of an everyday occurrence,” said DNR fisheries biologist Tom Goniea. “Updating the Master Angler criteria ensures that recognition goes to those who catch fish that truly are notable.”