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Do You Need a Fishing License in Michigan?
Yes. Anyone 17 or older needs a fishing license from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to fish any public water in Michigan, including the Great Lakes.
Children under 17 fish free but must release all fish unless they hold a free Junior Fish License voucher. The license covers both Lower and Upper Peninsula waters.
Michigan uses an all-species license — there is no separate trout, salmon, or Great Lakes stamp. One license covers everything from bluegills to lake trout.
How Much Does a Michigan Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual all-species fishing license costs $26. Non-residents pay $76 for the annual version. A senior resident license (65+) costs $11.
A 24-hour license is $10 for residents and non-residents. A 72-hour non-resident license costs $30. A 7-day non-resident license is $40.
Active military residents pay $11 for the annual license. Active military non-residents qualify for the resident rate. Mobility-impaired anglers and legally blind residents get free licenses through the DNR.
Where to Buy a Michigan Fishing License
Buy online at michigan.gov/dnrlicenses. Licenses print instantly or download to the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for digital display.
Over 1,500 retail license agents sell licenses statewide, including Meijer, Cabela's, Dunham's Sports, and most bait shops. DNR Customer Service Centers in Lansing, Marquette, and Gaylord also sell licenses.
By phone, call 517-284-9453 to purchase a license. Allow 7 to 10 days for mail delivery if you do not print the temporary license.
Michigan Free Fishing Weekends 2026
Michigan offers two free fishing weekends each year. In 2026, residents and non-residents can fish without a license on February 14-15 (winter) and June 13-14 (summer).
All other fishing regulations apply on free weekends, including size limits, bag limits, and gear restrictions. State park entry fees still apply.
Free weekends are a great way to try ice fishing on Houghton Lake or chase king salmon out of Ludington without committing to a full license.
Michigan Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Walleye have a 15-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit statewide, with exceptions on Lake Erie (15-inch, 6-fish limit) and the Saginaw River system. Bass have a 14-inch minimum and 5-fish limit.
Lake trout limits on Lake Michigan, Huron, and Superior vary by management zone. Chinook salmon, coho, and steelhead all have a combined 5-fish daily limit on Great Lakes waters.
Type 1 through Type 4 streams have specific trout regulations. Always check the current Michigan Fishing Guide on the DNR website before fishing a new lake or stream.
Best Fishing Spots in Michigan
Lake St. Clair is one of North America's best smallmouth bass and muskie fisheries. Saginaw Bay produces trophy walleye, while the Detroit River runs spring walleye in massive numbers.
For salmon, the Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee rivers see fall runs of kings and steelhead. The Pere Marquette is fly-fishing-only on its flies-only section.
The Upper Peninsula offers wilderness brook trout fishing on the Two Hearted River and lake trout on Lake Superior. Houghton Lake remains Michigan's most popular ice fishing destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual all-species license is $26. Non-residents pay $76 annually. A 24-hour license is $10, and seniors 65+ pay $11 for the annual license.
No. Michigan uses a single all-species license that covers trout, salmon, walleye, bass, and every other game fish in both inland waters and the Great Lakes.
Michigan's 2026 free fishing weekends are February 14-15 and June 13-14. No license is needed, but all size, bag, and gear regulations still apply.
Buy online at michigan.gov/dnrlicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, or at 1,500+ retailers including Meijer, Cabela's, and most bait shops.
Anglers 17 and older need a license. Children under 17 fish free but must release fish unless they have a free Junior Fish License voucher from the DNR.
Yes. Non-residents can buy a 24-hour license for $10, a 72-hour license for $30, or a 7-day license for $40 through any DNR license agent.