About Nets

Little River Band Ottawa Indians
Commercial fish netting operations
in the Ludington Mason area

NOTE: This information is provided to aid anglers in avoiding  netting areas.
It is only meant as a guide.  Caution and good judgment should always be exercised.
There is no implied assurance that the information presented is accurate
Neither this WEB site nor The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians shall be held liable
for any discrepancies or inaccuracies.

 

Trap Net Marking || Whitefish fishing Zones

 

Trap net alert

Here's what to do if you get caught, lose gear or see improperly marked or placed nets. DO NOT CALL JUST TO COMPLAIN. Contact the DNR HOT Line 800-292-7800  and ask for a Richard Bonner to call you back or call the Cadillac office at 231-775-9727.

For additional information regarding trap nets pick up a copy of the brochure "Don't Get Trapped" at the Chamber Office, or visit the website: www.miseagrant.org/nets or call: 616/846-8250.

Frequently asked Questions about the netting operations in the Ludington Mason county area.

This information is only for this area and may not be true in other waters.

  • Which species of fish are being taken? Whitefish and Chubs.
  • What type of nets are used? Trap nets are used for Whitefish and "fine mesh" gill nets are used for chubs.
  • Where can the nets be placed? They can be set anywhere in the area. However, The gill nets can be set in any depth of water o to 700 feet. Different marking is required if they are used inside 15 feet. Trap nets are usually  inside 90 feet of water and Gill nets over 200. BUT don't count on it.
  • Can incidental catch be kept? NO. All non-target species must be returned to the Lake.

 

Whitefish

  • Length: 17 to 22 inches
  • Weight: 1.5 to 4 pounds
  • Coloring: silvery with pale greenish-brown back, fins clear or lightly pigmented

Lake whitefish usually feed along the bottom and are generally safe from the sportsman's fishing tackle. Whitefish school in cold, deep waters.

 

Bloater Chubs 

  • Length: 9 inches
  • Weight: 8 ounces
  • Coloring: silvery with some pink and purple iridescence, with a greenish tinge above lateral line and a silvery white ventral surface

These small, soft-fleshed, oily fish will probably never be sought as game fish. They dwell too far from shore and have mouths too small for ordinary bait, since they feed mostly on zooplankton and other organisms near the lake bottom. But as smoked fish they command a good price at the market.