Native Species (Michigan)

[danielratti]

Actually if you buy them in the spring when they do the fish sales for stocking ponds all you need is to keep the receipt and keep up with keeping a valid fishing license you are good to go. Before I was let go we set up a 460 gallon native tank for a bar so we had to do some research before we put fish in. The only one the DNR had issues with were the carp they said those had to go. Not sure why but oh well.

[Steve]

The only one the DNR had issues with were the carp they said those had to go. Not sure why but oh well.

Were they Silver or big head carp? If so then that would be why. If they were just common carp then I don't know why they would have an issue with that that's odd.

[danielratti]

Nope just common carp. Not sure what the issue was.so the guy the tank was for put some Koi in there. looks goofy now but whatever.

[Steve]

Yeah that's weird. Then again no telling, the MDNR doesn't always make a lot of sense at times

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

A small native tank with darters would be sweet. It will cost a sh*t ton to chill a large tank year round but darters are Michigan native and can go in a way smaller tank. It still needs to be chilled but it will cost substantially less. There are a bunch of different types out there (a few are protected) but they might be something you might like that's a little different.

[Ogre44]

Just remember that if you keep natives you can't dump them into a stream/pond/lake or whatever due to health/disease concerns.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Just remember that if you keep natives you can't dump them into a stream/pond/lake or whatever due to health/disease concerns.

LUNCH ! 

[Ron]

Just remember that if you keep natives you can't dump them into a stream/pond/lake or whatever due to health/disease concerns.

LUNCH ! 

Technically can't do that either IIRC based on fish food labels.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

For personal consumption how would that be moderated, I don't think I could do it, knowing that I raised it in one of my tanks,  but all the same farmers do it all the time with their livestock...So what is the difference?

[Ron]

I'm not sure you'd get arrested for it. As best I recall most fish foods, if you buy a large enough container, tend to have some clause about not being used for fish raised for consumption. My guess is that for consumption approval, there's probably additional testing that is required to make it "approved".

[Ogre44]

Mad Fish Disease?!?!?!?!?

[four_by_ken]

I don't think I could eat them after raising them.

My fish become pets.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I have wanted to do this for so long... hard to resist now that I will be setting up a larger tank.

I tried once when I was about 10-12 years old with a brook trout I caught up near Alpena with a tiny net.  I had it for a few months and then it just disappeared.


I think a tank with some large/large mouth bass or some yellow perch would be really cool.  Maybe some rainbow trout.  I never really looked into what it would take to keep them happy.  But, these are just some that popped into my mind when I was thinking about this.

If you do just bass, perch, sunfish and bluegill you won't need to chill the flanks at all. Room temperature is fine for them. The only thing that needs a chiller is of you do trout. IMO pumpkinseeds have great color that rival most tropical fish. Especially the Missouri long ear. (I know your staying Michigan native, bit they look fantastic)

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I'm not sure you'd get arrested for it. As best I recall most fish foods, if you buy a large enough container, tend to have some clause about not being used for fish raised for consumption. My guess is that for consumption approval, there's probably additional testing that is required to make it "approved".

Sorry, I am slow Ron - you have to cut me a break as I am on vacation - LOL,  I now understand where you were coming from. 

[Ron]

I'm not sure you'd get arrested for it. As best I recall most fish foods, if you buy a large enough container, tend to have some clause about not being used for fish raised for consumption. My guess is that for consumption approval, there's probably additional testing that is required to make it "approved".

Sorry, I am slow Ron - you have to cut me a break as I am on vacation - LOL,  I now understand where you were coming from. 

No worries - hope you have a great vacation.