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Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026-27. Annual prices include the $1 surcharge.
How long annual licenses last: The license year starts April 1; the new year's licenses go on sale in early March. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $77 |
Includes: $76 license plus $1 surcharge. All species. Official source |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Daily fishing license (24 hours) Ages 17+ | Fresh | 1 day | $10 | Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $27 |
Includes: $26 license plus $1 surcharge. All species. Official source |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Senior resident annual fishing license Ages 65+ | Fresh | Annual | $12 |
Includes: $11 plus $1 surcharge. Also for legally blind residents. Official source |
| Daily fishing license (24 hours) Ages 17+ | Fresh | 1 day | $10 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Youth fishing license (optional) Under 17 | Fresh | Annual | $2 |
Only for: Optional for anglers 16 and under, who don't need a license. Official source |
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone 16 or under
Fresh Everyone Official source
-
Anyone, residents and visitors, on Michigan's two free fishing weekends
Fresh Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Michigan, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with Michigan DNR before you go.
- Feb 13–14, 2027 Saturday and Sunday of Presidents' Day weekend Fresh
- Jun 19–20, 2027 Saturday and Sunday after the first full week of June Fresh
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: Saturday and Sunday of Presidents' Day weekend; Saturday and Sunday after the first full week of June.
All license fees waived on inland and Great Lakes waters. Recreation Passport not needed for state parks and boat launches. All rules still apply.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- You count as a Michigan resident if you live in a settled or permanent home in Michigan and intend to stay. Owning land in Michigan does not by itself make you a resident. No minimum number of days is set.
- Military
- Members of the US armed forces officially stationed in Michigan count as residents, as do service members who were Michigan residents when they enlisted and have kept Michigan residence for their driving license or voter registration. Michigan-resident active-duty members can get their license fees waived.
- Students
- Students enrolled full time at a Michigan college or university who live in the state during the school year count as residents.
Secondary source: Michigan Compiled Laws 324.43506 (FindLaw copy)2
How to buy a Michigan fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and at license agents.
- Online
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources license sales
- App
- Michigan DNR Hunt Fish
- License on your phone
- Accepted
- ID needed
- Carry your license and the ID you used to buy it (Michigan driving license or state ID, an out-of-state driving license, or a DNR Sportcard) and show both to an officer on request.
Buy online through eLicense, in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, or at a license agent or DNR customer service center. An electronic license can be shown on a smartphone. Licensing help line (not sales): 517-284-6057, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Eastern.
Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations)2
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license.
Charter and guide clients 17 or over need their own Michigan fishing license; the DNR says charter customers need only bring personal supplies and a fishing license, and many charters help clients buy one. Guides taking paid clients on inland waters need an inland sport fishing guide license, and Great Lakes charter captains are licensed separately, but neither license covers the clients.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check Michigan DNR's rules before you book.
Border waters
Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters
On the Lake Michigan waters between the Menominee River breakwalls, the Menominee, Brule and Montreal rivers (with their sloughs and impoundments), and listed border lakes such as Lac Vieux Desert, the Cisco Chain and Stateline Lake, Michigan and Wisconsin residents may fish with their own state's resident license, and residents of other states may fish with a non-resident license from either state. Follow the rules of the state whose waters you are in. Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations)
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check Michigan DNR's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide general rules. Trout and salmon rules depend on the stream or lake type and the Great Lakes zone; check the DNR's trout and salmon regulations. Michigan limits are daily possession limits.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass Fresh | Statewide | 14" minimum | 5 in total | Catch and immediate release all year; keeping from the Saturday before Memorial Day to December 31 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River | 14" minimum | 5 in total | Keeping from the third Saturday in June |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Walleye Fresh | Lower Peninsula inland waters | 15" minimum | 5 | Last Saturday in April to March 15 |
| Walleye | Upper Peninsula | 15" minimum | 5 | May 15 to March 15 |
| Walleye | Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit rivers | 15" minimum | 5 | Open all year |
| Some lakes have slots, such as Lake Independence and Teal Lake (2026: 18" to 23" protected). Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Statewide | 24" minimum | 2 | – |
| Many named waters have a 24" to 34" protected slot, or allow 5 with only one 24" or larger. Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Muskellunge Fresh Also: musky, tiger muskie |
Statewide | 42" minimum | 1 per year (April 1 to March 31), must be registered | Catch and release all year; keeping from the first Saturday in June |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Yellow perch Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 25 | Open all year |
| Yellow perch | Lake Erie | No minimum | 50 | – |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Yellow perch limits in other states | ||||
| Sunfish and crappie Fresh Also: bluegill, crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed |
Statewide | No minimum | 25 in total | Open all year |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Channel catfish Fresh | Statewide | 12" minimum | 10 | Open all year |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Flathead catfish Fresh | Statewide | 15" minimum | 5 | Open all year |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| White bass Fresh | Great Lakes and connecting waters | – | 25 | – |
| White bass | Inland waters | – | 10 | – |
| Secondary source: Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) | ||||
| Burbot Fresh | Statewide | – | 5 | – |
| New daily limit from April 1, 2026. Official source | ||||
Compare Michigan with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Michigan?
Yes, if you are 17 or older and fish public waters in Michigan, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone 16 or under.
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Michigan?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026-27 are $10 for one day (Daily fishing license (24 hours)); $70 for seven days (7 x Daily fishing license (24 hours)); $77 for a year (Non-resident annual fishing license). Annual prices include the $1 surcharge.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Michigan?
Senior options for residents: Senior resident annual fishing license: $12 (ages 65+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
When is the next free fishing day in Michigan?
Feb 13–14, 2027 (Saturday and Sunday of Presidents' Day weekend). All license fees waived on inland and Great Lakes waters. Recreation Passport not needed for state parks and boat launches. All rules still apply.
How do I get a fishing license in Michigan?
Buy it from Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Sold online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and at license agents.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Michigan?
Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license. Charter and guide clients 17 or over need their own Michigan fishing license; the DNR says charter customers need only bring personal supplies and a fishing license, and many charters help clients buy one. Guides taking paid clients on inland waters need an inland sport fishing guide license, and Great Lakes charter captains are licensed separately, but neither license covers the clients.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Michigan Department of Natural Resources unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026-27)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 10 source pages
- content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/15581e3
- www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/fishing-license-information
- www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/03/02/2026-michigan-fishing-licenses-now-available
- www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/releases/2026/04/01/2026-fishing-season-opens-wednesday
- www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/free-fishing-weekend
- www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info
- Michigan Compiled Laws 324.43506 (FindLaw copy) secondary
- Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) secondary
- Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) secondary
- Michigan fishing regulations (eRegulations) secondary
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