State Panel Approves New Regulations For Fish 'Chumming'

LANSING (AP) - A state panel has decided to regulate a sport angling practice known as "chumming," which involves releasing parts of dead fish or other material into the water to attract live fish.

Officials say the regulations went into effect immediately after the Michigan Natural Resources Commission's approval Thursday in Lansing.

The state Department of Natural Resources says anglers will be prohibited from using organic chum material on any designated trout stream. The DNR says material commonly used as chum includes fish eggs, corn, rice, noodles, oatmeal and maggots.

Details about types of streams are posted online as part of the state's fishing guide.

The commission considered several options, including not regulating chumming, limiting amounts of chum allowed to be possessed or restricting chum to specific waters.