Photo by Mike Gonzalez Reid Lake, close to Barton City, stands idle during a mild shower on Sunday. The ground surrounding the lake is only accessible on foot.

ALPENA — The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved multiple changes to local and statewide fishing regulations during its meeting on Thursday.

All updated regulations went into effect on Friday.

Anglers can no longer possess any Arctic grayling.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources started a project in 2018 to bring back Arctic grayling to the state after it went extinct in the 1930s.

Montana and Alaska have the species, and Montana’s population nearly suffered the same fate as Michigan’s, but, after a successful project that started in 1995, that state managed to restore the species back to healthy levels.

Michigan’s project imitates Montana’s structure and the Thunder Bay River could get grayling two or three years after DNR officials see positive test results in other rivers in 2026.

Michigan attempted to restore the population of Arctic grayling in the early 1980s, but ultimately failed.

Another regulation approved by the commission was the removal of Type B trout regulations for Reid Lake, located less than 10 miles away from Barton City.

That removes any permission to take trout from the inland lake, which is now covered under the general statewide fishing regulations.

The DNR asked for the removal of the regulations after an unsuccessful rainbow trout and brown trout stocking program. The fishing order notes that an “abundant fast-growing yellow perch population” created competitive pressures for the stocked trout.

“Angler preferences have shifted away from trout where anglers are now more interested in focusing on yellow perch in Reid Lake,” the order said. “Therefore, managers will no longer conduct fisheries management for coldwater species in this waterbody.”

For more information on fishing opportunities and resources, visit michigan.gov/fishing.