Sec. 48738.
(1) A person who violates this part or rules or orders issued to implement this part, if a penalty is not otherwise provided for that violation in this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
(2) A person who uses dynamite, nitroglycerin, any other explosive substance, lime, electricity, or poison for the purpose of taking or killing fish, who uses nets not authorized by law for taking game fish, or who buys or sells game fish or any part of game fish is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $250.00 or more than $1,000.00, or both.
(3) A person who takes or possesses sturgeon in violation of this part or rules or orders issued to implement this part is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 180 days or a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $2,000.00, or both, and the costs of prosecution.
(4) A person who knowingly violates section 48735(2) or (4), or a rule or permit issued under section 48735(2) or (4), with respect to a genetically engineered variant of a fish species is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $250,000.00, or both. In addition, the person is liable for any damages to the natural resources resulting from the violation, including, but not limited to, costs incurred to prevent or minimize the damages.
(5) If a person is convicted of a violation of this part or a rule promulgated or order issued under this part and it is alleged in the complaint and proved or admitted at trial or ascertained by the court at the time of sentencing that the person has been previously convicted 3 or more times of a violation of this part within the 5 years immediately preceding the last violation of this part, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both, and the costs of prosecution. This subsection does not apply to the following violations:
(a) Failing to possess or display a valid fishing license issued under part 435.
(b) Taking or possessing an overlimit of bluegill, sunfish, crappie, perch, or nongame fish.
(c) Taking or possessing not more than 5 undersized fish.
(d) Fishing with too many lines.
(e) Failing to attach the person's name and address to tip-ups or minnow traps.
(f) Fishing with lines not under immediate control.
(6) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a fishing license issued to a person sentenced under subsection (2), (3), (4), or (5) shall be revoked, and the person shall not be issued a license during the remainder of the year in which convicted or during the next 3 succeeding license years.
(7) Subject to subsection (8), if any permit or license under this part is ordered to be suspended or revoked under section 41309 and if the department maintains a database of suspensions or revocations of permits or licenses under this part, the department shall not issue a permit or license under this part to the person for the period provided in the order.
(8) If a permit or license under this part is ordered to be suspended under section 41309, the suspension remains in effect until both of the following occur:
(a) The suspension period set forth in the court order has elapsed.
(b) The person pays the department a reinstatement fee of $125.00.
(9) Unless a person's permit or license is otherwise suspended, revoked, or denied, the permit or license is immediately reinstated on satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (8).
History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 270, Eff. Mar. 30, 2004 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 541, Eff. Apr. 15, 2015 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 385, Eff. Mar. 24, 2021
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA