Charter Boat Reporting Program
All charter boats used for fishing in state of Michigan waters are required to report their catch and effort. This reporting system provides valuable information for managing the fishery in Michigan and the Great Lakes. In March of each year, all known charter operators are mailed a packet of information which includes an instructional letter, an annual supply of catch report forms, mailing envelopes, and copies of Great Lakes grid maps (for use in identifying fishing location). Charter operators are identified from (1) a list of operators who submitted catch reports the previous year, (2) review of those who applied for and received a certificate of inspection for a fishing vessel, and (3) review of the list of individuals who applied for and received a Sport Trolling License. It is up to new charter operators to inform us they are now an active charter fishing operation.
Online Reporting System
An online reporting system is also available for charter operators to use. The online reporting system is for use only by authorized charter boat operators in the state of Michigan (or their agents) to report their fishing effort and catch online.
To use the online system, you establish an account in your name by either emailing us at CharterFishingProgram@michigan.gov or by calling 231-547-2914 extension 223. After an account is established, a reporter identification number (Reporter ID) and initial password will be assigned for your use to access this site.
- Online Reporting System
Michigan's Charter Industry
What data is collected?
The data collected includes lake fished, date fished, port or area of origin, grid where a majority of the fishing occurred on that excursion, hours fished (dock to dock), total number of anglers, catch (number harvested and number released) of major species, fish specie(s) targeted, and number of sea lamprey seen attached to Chinook salmon and lake trout. Space is also provided on the report form for comments and observations. Completed data forms are returned to the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station where they are logged, coded by port, and entered on computer.
How is the data used?
Three measures of fishing effort are summarized: angler hours, angler trips, and charter excursions. Angler hours are based upon total hours fished (dock to dock) by each angler. An angler trip is one completed fishing outing by one individual. A charter excursion is one completed boat trip. For example, if a charter operator took four anglers fishing for 6 hours, total fishing effort would be 24 angler hours, 4 angler trips, and 1 charter excursion. Charter data are also used to summarize the harvest, catch, harvest rate, and catch rate of fish listed on the form. Summaries of catch and effort for selected ports around the Great Lakes, totals for each lake, and annual reports are prepared each year.
You can see the data from the past few years by viewing the annual reports or the data by lake and port below.
- 2016 Charter Report
- 2015 Charter Report
- Data by lake and port
The charter fishing industry provides Michigan with significant economic benefits. The number of active charter fishing boats changes each year as new operators are added and others depart the fishing industry.
- Michigan Charter Boat Association
- List of Sport Trolling License holders
Licenses
Charter boat operators fishing for lake trout in Michigan waters are required to purchase a sport trolling license. It is not required for any other type of charter fishing activity. If you are planning to supply bait to your clients (for purchase or for free), you must have a license to do so.
- Sport Trolling License
- Wholesale Fish, Retail, Catcher and Wholesale Minnow Licenses
