{
 "site": "Southwest Michigan Info",
 "base_url": "https://swmiinfo.com",
 "last_checked": "2026-10-27",
 "license": "CC0-1.0",
 "note": "Each fact links to its official source. status=unverified means we could not confirm it; call to confirm.",
 "fishing_seasons": [
  {
   "text": "Michigan's trout season and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons opened Saturday, April 25, 2026.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/04/23/trout-lower-peninsula-walleye-and-pike-seasons-open-saturday",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Largemouth and smallmouth bass possession season opened statewide Saturday, May 23, 2026 (Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River opened June 20). Catch-and-immediate-release bass fishing is open all year on nearly all waters.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/04/23/trout-lower-peninsula-walleye-and-pike-seasons-open-saturday",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Muskellunge possession season opened Saturday, June 6, 2026. Catch-and-immediate-release muskie fishing is open all year.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/04/23/trout-lower-peninsula-walleye-and-pike-seasons-open-saturday",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "2026 fishing licenses run April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Anglers 17 and older need a license.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/03/02/2026-michigan-fishing-licenses-now-available",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Inland trout and salmon rules vary by stream and lake. Check the DNR's interactive regulations map and fishing regulations before you go.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "The 2027 season opener dates are not posted yet. Unverified, check the DNR in spring.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations",
   "status": "unverified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  }
 ],
 "boat_launches": [
  {
   "text": "A Recreation Passport is required for any motorized vehicle entering a state park, a state boating access site or a state forest campground.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/faqs/recreation-passport/rp",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Use the DNR's Michigan Boating Facility Finder to find launches, amenities and closures.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/boating",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Fort Custer State Recreation Area (5163 Fort Custer Drive, Augusta; 269-731-4200) has three lakes, and each lake has a boating access site. It also has the Kalamazoo River, boat rentals and an accessible fishing pier.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/fortcuster",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  }
 ],
 "camping": [
  {
   "text": "Fort Custer State Recreation Area, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, has a modern campground and an equestrian campground. Campers still need a Recreation Passport.",
   "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/fortcuster",
   "status": "verified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  },
  {
   "text": "Kalamazoo County Parks runs a campground at Cold Brook County Park. We could not load the county site to confirm the season, rates or how to reserve. Unverified, call to confirm.",
   "source": "https://www.kalcounty.gov/423/Camping",
   "status": "unverified",
   "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
  }
 ]
}