Michigan anglers can bag up to 10 brook trout on 33 U.P. streams this season, ranging from a stretch of the Iron River to the north branch of the Pine River. But the relaxed limit could be temporary.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Nestlé extends Flint bottled water donations through August
Since Michigan halted its free bottled water program, Nestlé has provided 100,000 bottles water per week to help centers that continue to face high demands from residents who refuse to drink from their taps.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s UP is full of closed mines. Technology may give them new life
Upper Peninsula communities struggled when mines shuttered. Now, researchers are studying whether closed mines could be used to store energy, lowering cripplingly high energy costs.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Tired of bird poop at Great Lakes beaches? Send in the dogs, study says
A Central Michigan University study finds that dogs, particularly border collies, can greatly reduce bird poop at beaches that spread E. coli.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: DTE closing coal plants early
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
With Line 5 tunnel plan halted, next steps may belong to Enbridge Energy
The chairman of the board that approved Michigan’s plans to pursue a tunnel around Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline doubts his board could defend its actions in court — because it no longer exists.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Halting Line 5 tunnel is ‘shameful.’ Prepare for a lawsuit, GOP leader says
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey defends process to build tunnel around oil pipeline and says Attorney General Dana Nessel ‘consistently tries … to upset what has been passed into law.’
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer halts action on Line 5 tunnel
Gretchen Whitmer’s move follows a legal opinion from fellow Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, who issued a legal opinion claiming the creation state authority to oversee the tunnel is unconstitutional.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Traverse City’s climate may resemble Philadelphia’s in 60 years, study says
The climates of Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Traverse City and Montreal in 60 years could be similar to the current climate of Chester, Pennsylvania, a new study says.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Cherry farmers brace for killer bacteria
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.