Harbor Beach Research Fishery

The Harbor Beach commercial fishery is limited to 10 large mesh trap nets. Large mesh trap nets are the standard, authorized fishing gear for whitefish within the state-licensed commercial fishery, and 10 nets is the standard number of nets authorized per license. Large mesh trap nets are typically 7,500 feet long, 500 feet wide, 30 to 40 feet high, and normally fished in water 80 to 750 feet deep.

Basic trap net anatomy consists of the following (also see trap net diagram below):

• A 1,000-foot, 14-inch stretch mesh lead that directs fish into the holding structure of the net.
• Submerged netting that is supported by floats, frames and anchors.
• Wing nets that lead fish into a V-shaped heart and box-shaped pot. Wings are the widest part of the net and are usually around 500 feet across.
• A main holding enclosure consisting of the heart, tunnel and pot which is usually several hundred feet in length. Once in the pot, fish are held alive until the net is lifted and cleared.

Basic net marking consists of the following (also see trap net diagram below):

• Trap nets have a marker buoy or float at the main anchor on the offshore or lakeward side of the net.
• The pot is marked with a double flag staff buoy that extends 5 l/2 feet above the water surface. The flags are orange in color.
• Orange floats will also be present marking the ends of each wing.

On the inshore or shoreward side of the net, the lead anchor will be marked with a second single flagged staff buoy that extends S l/2 feet above the water surface.

Left to right in the above diagram represents offshore/lakeward to inshore/shoreward when encountered on the water.

Two staff buoys and three additional floats are required markings on each trap net. All extra ropes and line are weighted and sunk so the only items on the water's surface are the marker buoys and floats.

Actual single float being used at Harbor Beach 2015–2022.

Actual single flag staff buoy and float used at Harbor Beach 2015–2022.

Actual double flag staff used at Harbor Beach 2015–2022.

Commercial fishing at Harbor Beach is expected to commence in 2025 and nets are expected to be set in June/July.

The fishing grounds include portions of grids 1614 and 1615 and all of grids 1714 and 1715. The northern fishing ground boundary is latitude 43°48'N and the southern boundary is latitude 43°30'N. The eastern boundary is longitude 82°20'W. The maximum depth nets may be fished is 150 feet so commercial fishing nets will not be set all the way to the eastern boundary. View map. 

As nets are set, the DNR will post their locations here for the first license year for anglers and boaters to reference and become accustomed to in 2025.