On Oct. 24, 2006, the Secretary of Agriculture issued a federal order aimed at preventing the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) within the United States. Unfortunately, this order prohibits the transportation of live walleye across state lines from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and international boarders from Ontario and Quebec, even if the fish are to be returned to the same body of water from which they were caught.
As a result of this order, FLW Walleye League Michigan Division anglers competing on Lake Erie May 19 will be restricted to Michigan waters only. Canadian licenses are no longer required. Only Michigan licenses are needed.
FLW Outdoors is currently working with officials in VHS-affected states to have the federal order amended so that competitors in fishing tournaments can transport fish across state lines so long as they remain in the same body of water. If we are successful, artificial boundaries instituted as a result of the order will be lifted.
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Attention Walleye League anglers: Editor’s note – Due to short notice between the recently posted USDA announcement revising the aforementioned Federal Order and the upcoming Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League event, anglers fishing the May 19 Michigan Division tournament on Lake Erie will still be limited to Michigan waters.