Welcome to our blog, where we study Michigan’s fishing culture and the value of getting a fishing license. The Great Lakes State of Michigan has several pristine lakes, rivers, and streams brimming with various fish species. The rules must be understood, and a Michigan fishing license must be obtained, regardless of whether you are an experienced fisherman or a novice ready to throw your line. In this blog, we’ll examine more closely why a fishing license is required, how to get one, and the advantages it offers to fishermen and the protection of Michigan’s stunning aquatic ecosystems. Join us as we travel around Michigan’s rivers, learning about the delights of fishing while preserving and protecting the environment.
Michigan Fishing License Cost
| Michigan Fishing Licenses | Resident Fees | Nonresident Fees |
|---|---|---|
| DNR Sportcard | $1 | N/A |
| Resident Annual | $26* | $76* |
| Senior Annual (Residents 65 or older or Residents who are legally blind) | $11* | N/A |
| Daily Fish (24 hours Validity) | $10/day | $10/day |
| Voluntary Youth (Age 16 and under) | $2* | $2* |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Resident (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) | $76* | N/A |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Senior Resident (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) | $43* | N/A |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Nonresident (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) | N/A | $266* |
| Canada Outdoor Card (Fishing licenses must be accompanied with outdoor cards.) | $8.57 | |
| Canada Fishing License | $83.19 | |
| Ohio Fishing License (Non-residents) | $50.96 | |
| Indiana Fishing License (Non-residents) | $60 |
Combination licenses, resident yearly licenses, nonresident annual licenses, and senior annual fishing permits all come with a $1 extra in Michigan. Further recognizing their service and commitment, full-time, federally employed members of the U.S. military who have retained residence status are eligible for a remission of fishing license costs. This exemption promotes the value of outdoor recreation and environmental care in Michigan while acknowledging and supporting the sacrifices of military members.
Michigan fishing license for seniors
| MI Senior License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Resident Senior Annual All-Species License | $11 |
| Resident Senior Daily All-Species License | $3 |
| Nonresident Senior Annual All-Species License | $38 |
| Nonresident Senior Daily All-Species License | $10 |
How to buy a Michigan fishing license?
You have a few practical choices for getting your fishing license in Michigan:
1. Online:
Accessing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website is the simplest method. You may purchase your fishing license online and do other chores, including duplicating a lost license. To buy a license online easily, go to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.
2. State License Agents:
Michigan provides a list of authorized agents where you may get your fishing license. Visit the License Agents website on Michigan.gov to locate the closest agent and gather the essential information.
3. Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Centers:
Instead of doing your business in person, you may purchase your fishing license at a DNR Customer Service Center close to you. For the locations of these centres, contact the Department of Natural Resources.
Michigan fishing license exemptions
Veterans & Disability
| Fishing License Waivers | Fees |
|---|---|
| Veterans with 100% Disability (Michigan Residents) | Waived |
| Active-duty Military (Michigan Residents) | Waived |
Exemptions for Assisting Minors
| Exemptions for Assisting Minors | Details |
|---|---|
| Help land a fish with a net or their hands | A license is not required if an adult helps a minor use a net or their hands to land a fish. |
| Help unhook a fish | It is not necessary for the adult to obtain a fishing license in order to help a child unhook a fish. |
| Set up the fishing rod with gear | Without a fishing license, an adult may assist a minor by putting up the fishing rod and equipment. |
| Bait the hook | It is not necessary for the adult to obtain a fishing license in order to help a child bait the hook. |
| Cast the line for young anglers | The parent may throw the line for the child angler without obtaining a fishing license as long as the child continues to actively participate. |
Michigan Fishing License Requirements & Options
| Fishing License Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Michigan fishing license age requirement | You need a fishing license to go fishing if you're 17 or older. |
| Carrying License and ID | It is mandatory that you always have your fishing license with you as well as the form of identification you used to buy it. |
| Targeting Amphibians, Crustaceans, and Reptiles | When pursuing these species in Michigan's public waterways, a fishing license is necessary. |
| Minors (Under 17) | Minors must abide by all fishing laws and regulations even if they are not required to get a fishing license. |
| Assisting Minors | The adult must possess a fishing license if they are assisting a child without a license. |
| Exemptions for Assisting Minors | A license is not necessary for some actions when an adult is helping a child |
Document Requirements
| Documents Requirements |
|---|
| Presently valid Michigan driver's license or Michigan identification card |
| An active license for driving from the state where you now live |
| DNR Sport card |
MI Fishing License Eligibility
| Criteria for | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Resident | Must live in a fixed or permanent residence or domicile in this state with the intention of staying. |
| Student | Must be a Michigan resident and full-time college student. |
| U.S. Military | Must be a full-time military member stationed in Michigan or a Michigan resident. |
Free Fishing Days in Michigan
| Free Fishing Weekends | Start Date | End Date | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weekend | 18-Feb | 19-Feb | Waived |
| Summer Weekend | 10-Jun | 11-Jun | Waived |
Those who don’t fish often but want to try it out may do so for free during the two free fishing weekends the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) promotes. While the summer weekend takes place on June 10 and 11, the winter weekend is on February 18 and 19. Fishing fees are not charged on certain specified weekends, allowing people to cross fishing off their bucket list without paying anything.
Michigan fishing lakes
| MI Fishing Lakes |
|---|
| Lake Huron |
| Lake Michigan |
| Lake Superior |
| Southeast Michigan Great Lakes |
| Lake Michigan |
| Lake Superior |
| Southeast Michigan Great Lakes Fishing |
MI Fishing Seasons
| MI Fishing Species | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | All waterways are catch-and-release only, with the exceptions stated. |
| Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass | 27-May | 31-Dec | The Great Lakes are included in the possession season, unless otherwise specified. |
| Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass | 17-Jun | 31-Dec | Possession season is in effect on the St. Clair, Clair, and Detroit rivers. |
| Muskellunge | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | All waterways must have a catch-and-release policy. |
| Muskellunge | 3-Jun | 15-Mar | All Great Lakes, interior waterways, and the St. Marys River are in possession season, unless otherwise specified. |
| Muskellunge | 3-Jun | 31-Dec | Possession season is in effect on the St. Clair, Clair, and Detroit rivers. |
| Northern Pike & Walleye | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | Possession season is in effect on the Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. |
| Northern Pike & Walleye | 29-Apr | 15-Mar | Lower Peninsula inland waterways have a possession season. |
| Northern Pike & Walleye | 15-May | 15-Mar | Possession season in the Great Lakes, inland waterways, and St. Marys River in the Upper Peninsula |
| Salmon & Trout | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | Lake St. Clair, the St. Marys River, the St. Clair & Detroit rivers, and the Great Lakes |
| Salmon & Trout | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | (Inland) streams of types 3 and 4 and lakes of types B, C, E, and F |
| Salmon & Trout | 29-Apr | 30-Sep | Inland streams of Types 1 and 2: Possession and Fishing Season |
| Salmon & Trout | 29-Apr | 31-Oct | Type A and Type D lakes: possession and inland fishing season |
| Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Cisco, Lake Whitefish, Round Whitefish, Smelt, Sunfishes, White Bass, Yellow Perch & Other Species | Open for Entire Year | Open for Entire Year | all waterways are available for fishing |
Fishing Violations, Fines & Penalties
| Violations | Section | Revocation of License / Permit | Fines | Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish - 1st Offense | 41105 | Optional | Up to $100 (1st offense) | Up to 60 days (1st offense) |
| Fish - 2nd or Subsequent Offense | 41105 | Optional | $50 - $250 | 20-90 days |
| Fish - 1st Offense | 48702a | Required | $500 - $1,000 (plus costs of prosecution) | Up to 93 days, and could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both |
| Fish - 2nd or Subsequent Offense | 48702a | Required | $1,000 - $2,500 (plus costs of prosecution) | Up to 1 year and could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both |
Eat Safe Fish Guides for eating locally caught fish in 2023
| Event: Eat Safe Fish Guides for eating locally caught fish in 2023 |
|---|
| The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updates its Eat Safe Fish Guides for eating locally caught fish in 2023. These standards are based on MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories chemical analysis of fish filets. Mercury, PCBs, PFOS, and PFAS are prevalent in fish, hence particular Michigan water bodies have special fish recommendations. MDHHS educates Michigan residents on safe lake and river fish eating. |
| Key Points: |
| - Chemicals like mercury and PCBs are commonly found in fish, along with PFOS and PFAS in some cases, necessitating Eat Safe Fish Guidelines. |
| - The 2023 guidelines include new recommendations for locally caught smelt, particularly due to elevated PFOS levels. |
| Smelt Guidelines: |
| - Lake Huron: 6 servings per year. |
| - Lake Michigan: 1 serving per month. |
| - Portage Lake in Houghton County: 1 serving per month. |
| - Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County: 2 servings per month. |
| - Higgins Lake in Roscommon County: 4 servings per month. |
| - Lake Superior (previously issued in May 2022): 1 serving per month. |
| - Some parts of the Huron River remain on the 'Do Not Eat' fish alert owing to high PFOS levels. |
| Note: |
| - The MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guidelines are informative resources and not legally binding regulations. |
| - MDHHS also provides the Buy Safe Fish Guide to assist in selecting low-mercury seafood from local sources. |
| For More Information: |
| - Visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish for region-specific guides and Buy Safe Fish Guide. |
| - Contact the MDHHS Division of Environmental Health at 800-648-6942. |
Fishing regulations in Michigan
Michigan fishing licences have conditions. Full-time, federal, active-duty U.S. military residents get free fishing licenses. Military ID and duty status are required. Michigan-stationed active-duty military members pay resident rates. Michigan veterans who are completely incapacitated or unemployed may get free fishing licenses. Blind seniors get fishing licences. Developmentally disabled or older people may fish without a license if accompanied by licensed fishermen. DNR Customer Service Centers sell exemption permits.
- Michigan’s interior waterways are everything except the Great Lakes, bays, and connecting waters. This includes the portion of the St. Marys River in the state that connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River (between the Fort Gratiot Light and the imaginary line extending south of the Windmill Point Light in Wayne County, up to the east-west line through Celeron Island). Lakes, streams, and Great Lakes tributaries are inland waterways.
- Species spawning limitations in Michigan limit fishing. These closures protect spawning fish. Closures vary by jurisdiction. Fishing is not allowed in impacted lakes and streams. These limits protect fish during reproduction.
- Michigan allows artificial light fishing except for spearing frogs. Lampreys, live carp, goldfish, and gobies are illegal bait. Traps, nets, hook-and-line, and hand-harvesting are unrestricted. Inland lakes, drowned river mouths, the Great Lakes, and their connecting waterways allow drop-shotting, and dip nets may be used in non-trout stream waters for some species. Except in trout streams, gaffs may legally land hooked fish. Hand-net fishing is allowed. Participants are allowed three lines and three hooks for hook-and-line fishing. Burbot sometimes uses hoop nets. Personal use minnows must be utilized in their collection waters. Several species allow hand, rubber, or spring-propelled spearing.
- Michigan has unlawful acts. It is illegal to chum with organic material in all stream types, to possess or transport live transgenic organisms or non-native fish, crayfish, or freshwater molluscs, to use red swamp crayfish as bait, to import or transplant live fish without a permit, to buy or sell fish or parts of fish taken under a sport fishing license, to take fish solely for egg removal, to harvest threatened or endangered species without authorization, to harvest or possess fr These laws carry a $10,000 fine.
- Each species has its size and daily possession limits. Fisheries and species dictate possession seasons. Five 14-inch largemouth and smallmouth bass each day are allowed. Five 15-inch walleye are permitted. Two 24-inch northern pikes are allowed per person. Channel and flathead catfish must be 12 or 15 inches long. Muskellunge, including tiger muskellunge, must be 42 inches and may only be caught once every license year. Limit 25 yellow perch. Sunfish and white bass have a possession restriction of 25 in any combination of specified species on designated waterways and 10 in inland waters. In certain rivers, Cisco, lake whitefish, and round whitefish have a 10-fish or 5-fish limit. Smelt are allowed two gallons and no size limitations. Other species may be fished year-round regardless of size or ownership. The Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Waters, Sylvania Wilderness Area, Exceptions to General Rules by County, and Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations govern lake sturgeon fishing.
Note: The Michigan regulations website discusses all the rules thoroughly; you may check it out for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fishing license cost in Michigan?
The cost of a Michigan fishing license varies depending on the type and residence. The DNR Sportcard is $1, and the Combo Hunt/Fishing Resident license is $76. The Resident Annual license costs $26, whereas the Senior Annual license is $11 for residents over the age of 65 or who are legally blind. Permits to fish for one day cost $10. Voluntary youth licenses for under-16s cost $2. Resident annual permits are $76, and Nonresident Combo Hunt/Fish licenses are $266. Fees for the Canada Outdoor Card ($8.57) and the Canada Fishing License ($83.19) apply. Nonresidents of Ohio and Indiana pay $50.96 and $60, respectively, for fishing licenses.
How much does a Senior Citizen fishing license cost in Michigan?
Depending on where you live, you may get a Senior Citizen fishing license in Michigan. The Resident Senior Annual All-Species License is $11 for Michigan residents 65 and above, while the Resident Senior Daily All-Species License costs $3. Seniors not residents of the state may also buy fishing permits, which cost $10 for a daily all-species license and $38 for an annual all-species license. Senior adults may enjoy fishing in Michigan’s waterways at a reduced cost thanks to these special discounted permits created just for them.
Where can I buy a Michigan fishing license?
Anglers in Michigan have many easy ways to obtain fishing permits for 2023. The licenses may be purchased online on the official website of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Additionally, fishing permits are available through approved licensing agents around the state, including hunting and fishing outfitters with state licenses, certain sporting goods stores, and specific Walmart locations. Another option to get the necessary fishing license is to go to a DNR Customer Service Center. When purchasing their Michigan fishing permits for 2023, anglers will have freedom and accessibility thanks to these many options.
What are the different types of fishing licenses available in Michigan?
To meet varied demands, Michigan provides a variety of fishing permits. Anglers have a variety of license options, including annual licenses, which grant fishing rights for the entire year; daily licenses for quick fishing outings; youth licenses for those who fall under a specific age requirement; senior licenses for those who meet the need, and combination licenses, which cover both fishing and hunting. These multiple license categories accommodate diverse fishing preferences and ensure Michigan fishermen have choices that best fit their requirements and fishing plans.
Are there any age exemptions for obtaining a fishing license in Michigan?
In Michigan, age restrictions do exist for fishing licenses. Younger than 16-year-old anglers are exempt from needing a fishing license. To legally fish in Michigan’s waterways, people must be at least 17 years old and have a valid fishing license.
Is a separate license required in Michigan for ice fishing?
Ice fishing will likely require a special fishing license in Michigan in 2023. Ice fishing is permitted with the same fishing license as open-water fishing. Anglers must ensure their fishing license is current and follow all rules relating to ice fishing.
Are any discounts or exemptions available for senior citizens or military veterans when obtaining a fishing license in Michigan?
Yes, older people and veterans of the military are eligible for several discounts and exemptions. Sixty-five years of age or more senior Michigan citizens may qualify for discounted fishing permits. Additionally, complimentary fishing licenses may be available to local war veterans who are disabled. It is advised to visit the Michigan DNR website to learn more about particular qualifying requirements and application information.
Can I purchase a fishing license as a gift for someone?
In Michigan, you may buy fishing licenses as gifts for friends and family. You may submit the required information and pay on the gift recipient’s behalf while getting the license in person or online from a licensed licensing agency. To issue the license, it is crucial to ensure that the recipient’s personal information, such as name and address, is supplied appropriately.
Is automatic license renewal available when purchasing a fishing license online in Michigan?
You may choose automatic renewal for the following year when you buy a fishing license in Michigan online.