Indiana vs Michigan fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Michigan is $5 cheaper than Indiana. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Indiana is $17 cheaper than Michigan. You need a license from age 18 in Indiana and from 17 in Michigan.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Indiana | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $15 | $10 |
| 3 days | $35 | $30 |
| 7 days | $35 | $70 |
| 1 year | $60 | $77 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $23 | $27 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Indiana | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 18 | 17 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior annual fishing license: $3 (ages 64+) Resident senior fish-for-life license: $23 (ages 64+) | Senior resident annual fishing license: $12 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Feb 13–14, 2027 Jun 19–20, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 03-31 | To March 31 |
| Last checked | Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Indiana fishing license · Michigan fishing license
Shared waters
Lake Michigan (Indiana rules)
The yellow perch limit in Indiana waters is 15 a day, even if you hold a neighboring state's license. Secondary source: Indiana Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition)
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Indiana | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Walleye |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
15" minimum; bag 5 (Lower Peninsula inland waters; 2 more) |
| Crappie |
No size limit (9 in at Dogwood and Hardy lakes); bag 25 (Statewide; 1 more) |
Sunfish and crappie |
| Catfish |
Channel, blue and flathead catfish Bullhead |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
| Northern pike |
24 in; no more than 1 of 30 in or over; bag 3 |
24" minimum; bag 2 |
| Yellow perch |
No size limit; bag No limit (Statewide; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 25 (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Indiana fishing license valid in Michigan?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Lake Michigan.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Indiana or Michigan?
1 day (fresh water): Indiana $15, Michigan $10. 1 year (fresh water): Indiana $60, Michigan $77.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Indiana and Michigan?
You need a license from age 18 in Indiana and from 17 in Michigan.