This is the time of year when things start happening quickly as Mother Nature awakens from her winter slumber.

Last week we celebrated the return of spring, and Monday, April 1, marks the opening day of the 2019 fishing season.

Fishing is a fun family pastime for many in southwest Michigan, and whether you enjoy spin casting on an inland lake, fly fishing at one of our state’s famed trout streams, or charter boat fishing on your favorite of the Great Lakes, Michigan has no shortage of world-class fishing opportunities.

As you make plans for your fishing getaways, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released this year’s updated Michigan Fishing Guide, an excellent resource filled with important information relevant to anglers. The fishing guide offers great details on the different license options, images of popular fish and materials on managed lakes and rivers in each county. The annual guide also covers any changes to state regulations, and this year is no exception, including updates on actions the state is taking to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in our waters. I encourage everyone to get to know all fishing rules before wading out. Check out michigan.gov/fishing for the guide and more.

You’ll also need to make sure you buy your fishing licenses. These can be purchased conveniently online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at mdnr-elicense.com. Anglers can also visit a local license retailer or DNR Customer Service Center to purchase a fishing license in person. Last year the DNR began offering an electronic license that allows individuals to display electronic copies of their fishing licenses on their smartphone — another convenience of our modern times. All 2019 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2020, and are good for all species.

Whether it’s an old family tradition or something you’ve never done before, I encourage southwest Michigan families and any of your out-of-state family and friends to grab a fishing rod and go experience some of the world’s best fishing, right here in the great state of Michigan.

Kim LaSata, R, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties. She can be reached at (517) 373-6960 or SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov.