MI HB5553

Establishes commercial fishing license fees for 2025-2030 at $250 (no vessel) and $1,500 (with vessel), increasing to $300/$1,750 for 2031-2040 and $350/$2,000 for 2041 onward.

Designates specific fish species authorized for commercial harvest including lake whitefish, bloater chubs, rainbow smelt, suckers, and carp, while prohibiting commercial taking of game fish.

Requires commercial fishers to maintain GPS coordinates of gear locations and post them publicly, prohibits abandoned or unattended gear, and imposes penalties including gear seizure and license suspension for violations.

Mandates electronic submission of commercial catch records and annual inventory reports by all commercial fishers; provides for license suspension or denial for failure to submit required reports.

Creates comprehensive definitions and regulations for commercial fishing equipment (nets, hooks, trawls) with specific mesh size requirements; authorizes director to regulate additional gear types and establish bycatch allowances with associated civil and criminal penalties.