Michigan vs Minnesota fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Michigan is $6 cheaper than Minnesota. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Minnesota is $26 cheaper than Michigan. You need a license from age 17 in Michigan and from 16 in Minnesota.
- 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 | Michigan | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | $14 |
| 3 days | $30 | $36 |
| 7 days | $70 | $43 |
| 1 year | $77 | $51 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $27 | $25 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Michigan | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 17 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Senior resident annual fishing license: $12 (ages 65+) | Free (fresh): Minnesota residents aged 90 or over Resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $379 (ages 51+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Non-resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $794 (ages 51+) |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Feb 13–14, 2027 Jun 19–20, 2027 Not yet announced | May 8–9, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To March 31 | To 02-28 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Michigan fishing license · Minnesota fishing license
Shared waters
Neither state lists a special agreement for waters shared with the other. Where you fish decides which license you need.
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 | Michigan | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Walleye |
15" minimum; bag 5 (Lower Peninsula inland waters; 2 more) |
Walleye and sauger: set each year |
| Crappie |
Sunfish and crappie |
bag 10 |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
| Northern pike |
24" minimum; bag 2 |
Release all 30-40"; only 1 over 40"; bag 2 (Northeast zone; 2 more) |
| Yellow perch |
No minimum; bag 25 (Statewide; 1 more) |
bag 20 a day; 40 in possession |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Michigan fishing license valid in Minnesota?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Michigan or Minnesota?
1 day (fresh water): Michigan $10, Minnesota $14. 1 year (fresh water): Michigan $77, Minnesota $51.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Michigan and Minnesota?
You need a license from age 17 in Michigan and from 16 in Minnesota.