Michigan
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Online, DNR customer service centers, license agents.

Cost

Resident annual: $26. Non-resident annual: $76. 24-hour: $10 resident / $10 non-res. Senior (65+) resident: $11. Voluntary $5 fisheries habitat fee (encouraged).

Validity

Annual (Mar 1 – Mar 31 next year) or 24-hour

Available online?

Yes

Michigan touches 4 of the 5 Great Lakes and has 11,000+ inland lakes. Required for ages 17+. One license covers all waters including the Great Lakes. Separate trout/salmon fishing has no extra license but watch for Type 1/2 trout stream regulations.

Closed seasons

Walleye, pike, muskie: closed Mar 15 – last Sat of April (statewide). Lake trout: year-round open on most Great Lakes waters. Smallmouth bass: catch-and-release only on most inland waters May 25 – Jun 15 (spawn).

Catch limits

Walleye: 5/day 15" min (3/day in certain zones). Northern pike: 2/day 24" min. Muskie: 1/day 42" min (Great Lakes) / 46" (inland). Lake trout: 3/day 15" min (varies).

Prohibited methods

No live bait in designated trout streams (Type 1). Single pointless hooks only in some salmon streams during spawning runs.

Catch & Release

Required for smallmouth during catch-and-release window. Recommended for muskie and lake sturgeon (all stocks).

Michigan has Type 1 (no-kill trout) and Type 2 (regulated kill) trout stream classifications — check regulations per stream. Great Lakes regulations can differ from inland lakes.

Best season

Walleye: late April–June + Oct–Nov. Salmon: August–October (tributaries). Steelhead: March–May + October–December. Ice fishing: December–March.

Freshwater

11,000+ inland lakes. Au Sable + Manistee + Pere Marquette are world-class trout streams. Lake St. Clair between Lakes Huron and Erie is muskie mecca.

Saltwater

None (all freshwater). The Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie) function similarly to salt — offshore trolling for salmon, pier fishing, surf casting.

Equipment

Cabela's in Dundee (flagship store). Countless small-town bait shops. Ice shanty rentals in winter.

Fishing guides

$400–$600/day Great Lakes charter (6-pack, 4-8 hour trip). $300–$500/day fly-fishing Au Sable. $250–$400 ice fishing charter.

Transport

DTW (Detroit), GRR (Grand Rapids), CMX (Houghton/UP). Rental car essential. UP (Upper Peninsula) requires 5+ hour drive from Detroit.

Safety

Great Lakes weather changes fast — hypothermia risk year-round. Ice fishing: check ice thickness (4" minimum walking, 8" ATV). Black bears in UP — secure food.

License fees

$10–$76 depending on duration + residency

Guide prices

$300–$600 charter; $250–$500 guided fly/ice

Daily budget

Budget: $80–$120/day. Charter: $400–$600/day.