(Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo) The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday restored a three-point antler point restriction in Deer Management Unit 122, which is mostly in south Dickinson County.

IRON MOUNTAIN — A few changes have been made in deer hunting rules for the Upper Peninsula.

As reported Friday by MLive, antlerless harvest quotas will be reduced in the “mid-snowfall zone,” a band crossing the middle latitudes of the U.P. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday also restored a three-point antler point restriction in Deer Management Unit 122, which is mostly in south Dickinson County.

Changes in the U.P. archery season were approved to allow antlerless harvest in the early and late archery seasons in the southern part of the peninsula, restrict it after Dec. 10 in the middle tier and prohibit it in the northern tier, MLive reported.

According to Commissioner Dave Anthony, the aim is to protect does in the northern snowfall zone and areas to the south where they may migrate during the winter, while allowing a full antlerless archery season in the southern areas.

Beginning in 2025, the statewide Liberty Hunt for youth and hunters with qualifying disabilities will be antlerless only. A complete description of the changes is pending from the Department of Natural Resources.

An update will be provided when the DNR’s Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council meets Thursday, July 25, in Escanaba. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 North Lincoln Road.

Meanwhile, the DNR needs volunteers to mentor youth in outdoor recreation activities during the Aug. 12-18 U.P. State Fair in Escanaba. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Jo Ann Alexander at 906-786-2351, Ext. 0 or alexanderj7@michigan.gov or Kristi Dahlstrom at 906-226-1331 or dahlstromk@michigan.gov.

On Monday, a public meeting to help determine policies for a U.P. equestrian trail is set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern time at the Hiawathaland Snowmobile Club clubhouse, 398 State Highway M-553, Marquette.

The DNR recently completed improvements to the Thunder Valley Equestrian Trail that extended the pathway from 7 miles to 13.5 miles and added a connection to the Marquette County Fairgrounds. The Equine Trails Subcommittee is seeking clarification on how the trail will be used, particularly whether it should no longer allow bicycle use.

More information is available at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2024/07/09/equestrian-trail-to-be-discussed-monday-in-marquette-county.

UPROAR off-road vehicle riders will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill in Quinnesec. Learn more at https://www.uproar906.com/.

Anglers on the Peshtigo River were reporting some yellow perch catches, but most were in the single-digit range, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said. Anglers on the bay out of the Menominee River near Marinette, Wis., were catching trout and salmon while river anglers were mainly catching sheepshead.

The Michigan DNR reported this U.P. activity:

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported successfully catching lake trout, lake whitefish and salmon in Keweenaw and Huron bays. Anglers found lake trout in the highest abundance, and they were caught mostly during trolling trips. Coho and Chinook salmon were caught while trolling during morning and afternoon fishing trips. These salmon were caught mostly below 50 feet of water but were still found in a wide range of total water depths. Lake trout and whitefish were caught while jigging in both bays.

Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers reported having a lot of luck coming off the water this last week. Those launching farther north from Big Traverse Harbor found plenty of lake trout while jigging in waters from 80 to 180 feet deep. Lake trout were found mostly through the lower half of the water column during these fishing trips. Early in the week, anglers reported large Chinook salmon caught south of Big Traverse Bay and north from South Portage Entry Canal. Salmon and lake trout anglers found consistent catches on both spoons and flies.

Little Bay de Noc: Yellow perch anglers reported slow fishing and were having to work for only limited success. Anglers were using worms and minnows with slip bobbers or jigging on a perch rig. Walleye anglers reported some success during dawn and dusk. Anglers were casting snap jig-style lures, as well as trolling crawler harnesses. Smallmouth fishing was reported to have been good.

Manistique: Anglers reported fair to good fishing for Chinook salmon and steelhead. Anglers were trolling spoons, flasher/fly combinations and meat rigs, with success on all three presentations. Windy conditions limited the days anglers were able to get out. The sunrise and sunset time frames have been the best bite windows. Anglers were primarily targeting depths of 90 to 170 feet of water. A few Skamania catches were reported by river anglers.

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river increased amidst the holiday weekend. Walleye were reportedly being caught in fair numbers. Fish were most successfully caught when trolling in the early mornings.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Anglers reported catching lake trout in good numbers, with reports of the occasional Chinook salmon also being landed. Those trolling deeper waters seemingly had the best luck in finding fish.

St. Ignace: Successful lake trout anglers trolled flies and spoons from the northeast side of Mackinac Island in 40 feet of water.