 Prepared by the Ludington Area Charterboat Association
Revised Sunday, August 1, 2010. The Net alert will be updated immediately any time a confirmed change is known to the Association
Click here for a printable pdf of the the current net locations:
Net Alert pdf
Tribal fishers have placed several trap nets in the Ludington area.
Note: Only nets located from Little Sauble Point: 43° 39, (south of Ludington) to latitude 44°10, (north of Ludington) are included in this net Alert. Nets have also been reported south of Little Point Sauble and north of 44°10. Additional information for northern nets may be found at: Manistee Commercial Nets
Several nets have been placed in the Ludingtion sector. These nets are generally well marked. The depths of the nets vary. When fishing normally, the nets' stand approximately 30' up from the bottom. It is possible to fish over the nets depending on the depth of your fishing gear. However staff and buoy lines extend to the surface and may be inclined in the direction of the wind or current. These lines should be carefully avoided. Occasionally, due to accidents, strong winds or currents, the net buoys and flagsmay not be visible.
New net locations will be added to the Net Alert list as soon as the locations are known to the LACA and are confirmed. Please check the net alert often for new net locations and for new information about older nets.
All net related incidents should be reported to the MDNR commercial fisheries division by calling the RAP line (800-292-7800). Please record the GPS location, including degrees and minutes; the depth, the time, weather, sea conditions, and the presence and type of any flags, buoys, floats or other net markings.
This is extremely important for the MDNR record keeping and helps to lead to corrective actions.
All sightings of unmarked or improperly marked nets should also be reported, along with as much information as possible.
Please include the day and time; the weather, and the full Latitude and Longitude information and the depth.
Also, anyone observing any length of yellow polypropylene line floating loose at or just below the surface in the vicinity of a net location is urged to promptly report the exact GPS location including the depth, to the DNR RAP (800-292-7800) line as soon as possible. Please note the approximate diameter of the line if possible.
Net entanglement or other net related incidents may also be reported to the Mason-Oceana County Emergency Hot Line at: (231) 869-5858. Emergency help may be provided.
In the event of eminent danger of loss of life or vessel, call the USCG on FM 16 or by cell: 231-843-2447.
Net locations are listed from South to North, by their last known position, with conditions as noted:
Eight identified and marked trap nets are currently fishing in our zone. All nine are located south of Big Point Sauble. None are located north of Big Point.
(The King anchor of a ninth net remains, but the net and wings have been removed.)
Chub Nets are not always listed.Two chub nets are known to being fished in the area at this time. Chub nets are marked with a staff buoy at each end, and are always set beyond 240'. Watch for chub net staff buoys and avoid them when fishing in deeper waters.At this time, one net is just south of the Big Sauble Point Light in approximately 280'. Another is set north of Big Sauble Point in approximately 300'. Note: the coordinates are listed in the pdf.
Note: GPS coordinates vary slightly from instrument to instrument. All net locations should be regarded as approximate, and subject to change.
For all nets: Anchors are normally marked with a staff buoy, and may be located up to several hundred feet inside or outside of the pot staff. Be very careful to watch for anchor and pot staffs. In some cases the wing anchors are also marked with staffs.
All Nets listed in the Ludington sector (from 43°39 N to 44°10 N) are listed in order from south to north by Latitude.
Please download a pdf list of net locations suitable for printing and carrying on your vessel from this link:
Click here for a printable pdf summary of the the current net locations: Net Alert pdf
Note: Additional nets are known to exist north of the Ludington Net Alert Sector, defined by Latitude 44°10.00 North. Caution is required when fishing/traveling beyond the Ludington Net Alert sector.
Reminder: Additional nets may be placed or currently listed nets may be moved without warning, and several days or weeks may elapse before the net alert can be updated.
Information about Trap Nets and their markings:
Notes: The nets stand 30’ high from the bottom upward. Most nets are now marked with at least three staffs. Normally the staff closest to shore has two flags, orange over black. For 2010, the Ludington area fisher is using larger flags, 14" square, These flags are quite visable and will show on some radars.
The Ludington site identifies the nets in the area from just north of Pentwater to several miles north of Big Sauble Point.
Floats or staffs may also mark the positions of the wings and or anchors. The float lines may be especially difficult to see in periods of poor visibility or rough water, and the possibility exists that excess float line may be floating loosely near the floats. Depending on the depth of water and other factors, the total length of the net and the lines to its anchors may be as much as 1,500 feet in the direction generally perpendicular to the shore. They may extent up to several hundred feet in the direction parallel to the shore. Wind, waves, fog or darkness may make it difficult to observe the markings. Boaters and fishermen are urged to exercise extreme caution near the nets. Boaters traversing the vicinity would be well advised to travel either well inside or well outside the netted area. The nets are constructed of very heavy netting and may reach from the bottom to near the surface in some cases. If your gear becomes entangled in the net, you are urged to cut it off and contact the fishers to recover it. Should your boat become entangled in the net, please call or radio the Coast Guard immediately.
For additional information regarding trap nets pick up a copy of the brochure "Don't Get Trapped" at the Ludington Chamber Office, or visit the web site: Michigan Sea Grant/net or call: 616/458-6805.
Please continue to visit the Ludington Area Charterboat Association website often for updates and additional information.
http://www. ludingtoncharterboats.org
Typical Net view with staff and flag markings:
Note: Actual marking may vary from this standard view.
The Ludington Area Charterboat Association
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