Michigan vs Ohio fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Michigan is $22 cheaper than Ohio. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Ohio is $0.04 cheaper than Michigan. You need a license from age 17 in Michigan and from 16 in Ohio.
- 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 | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | $27.04 |
| 3 days | $30 | $52 |
| 7 days | $70 | $76.96 |
| 1 year | $77 | $76.96 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $27 | $25 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Michigan | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 17 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Senior resident annual fishing license: $12 (ages 65+) | Senior resident fishing license (1 year): $10 (ages 65+) Senior resident fishing license (3 years): $27.04 (ages 65+) Senior resident fishing license (5 years): $45.07 (ages 65+) Senior lifetime fishing license: $84.24 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Feb 13–14, 2027 Jun 19–20, 2027 Not yet announced | 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 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Michigan fishing license · Ohio 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 | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Walleye |
15" minimum; bag 5 (Lower Peninsula inland waters; 2 more) |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye Walleye (Lake Erie): set each year |
| Crappie |
Sunfish and crappie |
No statewide limit; many inland lakes 9" minimum; bag No statewide limit; 30 at many inland lakes |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
Channel catfish Blue and flathead catfish |
| Yellow perch |
No minimum; bag 25 (Statewide; 1 more) |
Yellow perch (inland) Yellow perch (Lake Erie): set each year |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Michigan fishing license valid in Ohio?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Michigan or Ohio?
1 day (fresh water): Michigan $10, Ohio $27.04. 1 year (fresh water): Michigan $77, Ohio $76.96.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Michigan and Ohio?
You need a license from age 17 in Michigan and from 16 in Ohio.