Large trout stocked in southeast Michigan’s Huron River and Spring Mill Pond create fishing opportunities
The Huron River was stocked with 900 brown trout and 1,650 rainbow trout, both sized 15 to 21 inches. Spring Mill Pond was stocked with 200 brown trout and 600 rainbow trout, also measuring 15 to 21 inches long.
This annual stocking activity uses unneeded brown and rainbow trout broodstock from Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. Every year there are surplus adult trout in the hatchery system, which then are stocked in special regulation areas.
Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing Oct. 1 through March 31. From April 1 through April 28 anglers are limited to flies-only, catch-and-release fishing. Youth under the age of 12 may keep one fish between 8 and 12 inches. Beginning April 29, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five trout over 8 inches, but only three over 15 inches.
Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area is closed to fishing March 15 through March 31. From April 1 through April 28 anglers are limited to artificial lures only, catch-and-release fishing. Youth under the age of 12 may keep one fish between 8 and 12 inches. Beginning April 29, all baits are allowed and anglers may keep up to five fish over 8 inches, but only three fish over 15 inches.
See the 2016-2017 Michigan Fishing Guide for complete regulation details. For more information about this stocking effort, contact the DNR offices at Proud Lake at 248-685-2433, Island Lake at 810-229-7067, or the Waterford Fisheries Office at 248-666-7445.