A new fishing license is required April 1 to coincide with the 2018 fishing season. Anglers can pick up a license and a 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide at retailers located across the state.

Don’t forget—new license required

For those interested in going fishing in Michigan, a new license is required starting Sunday, April 1. That day is the kickoff to the state’s 2018 fishing license season, as well as the new fishing regulation cycle. All 2018 fishing licenses are good through March 31, 2019.

Anglers have eight options to choose from when making their purchase. All fishing licenses are good for all species.

• Resident annual – $26
• Nonresident annual – $76
• Senior annual (for residents age 65 or older) – $11
• 24-hour (resident or nonresident) – $10
• 72-hour (resident or nonresident) – $30
• Resident combo hunt/fish (base, annual fishing, two deer) – $76
• Senior resident combo hunt/fish (base, annual fishing, two deer) – $43
• Nonresident combo hunt/fish (base, annual fishing, two deer) – $266

There are several regulation changes this year, creating many new fishing opportunities for anglers. The new regulations go into effect on April 1, 2018, including the following: 

• Muskellunge harvest season has changed statewide to the first Saturday in June and includes a new catch-and-immediate release season open all year.
• A new suite of waters has been added where anglers may retain an additional five brook trout in their daily possession limit of trout (10 brook trout possession waters).

Additionally, a new registration system has been put into place for anglers who harvest a lake sturgeon or muskellunge. The lake sturgeon fishing permit and harvest tag and the muskellunge harvest tags are no longer required or available. An angler who harvests a lake sturgeon or muskellunge is now required to report the harvest within 24 hours, either online at michigan.gov/registerfish, by calling the toll-free number 844-345-FISH (3474) or in person at any Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center during normal state business hours with advance notice of arrival. Please note that fish registrations won’t be accepted at any state fish hatcheries or DNR field offices, only at DNR Customer Service Centers.

For more information on Michigan fishing licenses and regulation changes, check out the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide—available at license retailers or online at  www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests. The online version is always up to date and available to download.

Don’t forget, there are two simple ways to buy a fishing license in Michigan:

Visit a local license retailer or DNR Customer Service Center and make a purchase in person.

Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit mdnr-elicense.com on your computer, smartphone or tablet to get started.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

From the Michigan DNR

As the temperatures continue to drop, fishing for northern pike will really pick up. Pike are extremely popular during the ice fishing season but are readily available throughout much of the year.

There are many notable northern pike fisheries located throughout Michigan, including on Muskegon, Portage and Manistee lakes and also Michigamme and Houghton lakes. But this species can be found in many lakes and virtually all larger rivers in the state.

Please check the regulations for northern pike regarding minimum size and possession limit. Be sure to read up on this species in the 2016-2017 Michigan Fishing Guide. It can be downloaded by going to www.michigan.gov/dnr. Once there, click on “Fishing” on the left side, then on “Fishing licenses, seasons, and regulations.” You will see the guide on the right side of the screen.

The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new fishing license season began Wednesday, April 1, which coincides with the new regulation cycle.

Anglers have five options to choose from when making their purchases. All fishing licenses are good for all species.

Resident Annual – $26

Non-Resident Annual – $68

Senior Annual (for residents age 65 or older) – $11

24-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $10

72-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $30

Residents and non-residents also can purchase the Hunt/Fish combo license for $76 and $266, respectively, that consists of a base license, annual fishing license and two deer tags. A base license is not required when just purchasing a fishing license. There is also a Hunt/Fish combo license available to senior residents for $43.
Michigan’s fishing licenses bring revenue into the state that is invested into the state’s fisheries in several ways, including providing greater access to world-class fishing opportunities, improving fisheries habitat in inland lakes and streams, and increasing the health and quantity of fish stocked in the state. The DNR Fisheries Division depends primarily on angler dollars (through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle) to manage the state’s fisheries. Buying a fishing license, even if you do not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized freshwaters.

There are two simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

1. Visit a local license retailer or DNR Customer Service Center and make a purchase in person.

2. Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnr-elicense.com on a computer, smartphone or tablet to get started.

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/fishing.

The Michigan DNR reminds anglers that a new fishing license season began  April 1, and that Michigan’s fishing licenses were restructured. There are now five options to choose from when making your purchase. All fishing licenses are good for all species.

•   Resident Annual – $26

•   Non-Resident Annual – $76

•   Senior Annual (for residents age 65 or older) – $11

•    24-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $10

•    72-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $30

Residents and non-residents can also purchase the Hunt/Fish combo license for $76 and $266 respectively that consists of a base license, annual fishing license, and two deer tags. Please note, a base license is not required when just purchasing a fishing license.

Michigan’s new fishing licenses will bring additional revenue into the state that will be invested into the state’s fisheries; including providing greater access to world-class fishing opportunities, improving fisheries habitat in inland lakes and streams, and increasing the health and quantity of fish stocked in the state.
Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler dollars (through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle) to manage the state’s fisheries. Buying a fishing license, even if you do not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized freshwaters.

There are two simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

1. Visit your local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center and make a purchase in person.

2. Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnr-elicense.com on your computer, smartphone or tablet to get started.
Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the finest freshwater fishing in the world!

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing

Attention all anglers, a new fishing license season begins April 1!

Michigan’s fishing licenses were restructured on March 1 – there are now five options to choose from when making your purchase. All fishing licenses are good for all species.

•  Resident Annual – $26

• Non-Resident Annual – $76

• Senior Annual (for residents age 65 or older) – $11

• 24-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $10

• 72-Hour (resident or non-resident) – $30

Residents and non-residents can also purchase the Hunt/Fish combo license for $76 and $266 respectively that consists of a base license, annual fishing license, and two deer tags. Please note, a base license is not required when just purchasing a fishing license.

Michigan’s new fishing licenses will bring additional revenue into the state that will be invested into the state’s fisheries; including providing greater access to world-class fishing opportunities, improving fisheries habitat in inland lakes and streams, and increasing the health and quantity of fish stocked in the state.
Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler dollars (through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle) to manage the state’s fisheries. Buying a fishing license, even if you do not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized freshwaters.

There are two simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

1. Visit your local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center and make a purchase in person.

2. Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnr-elicense.com on your computer, smartphone or tablet to get started.
Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the finest freshwater fishing in the world!

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

The Department of Natural Resources today reminded anglers that a new fishing license season begins Monday, April 1. All 2012 fishing licenses expire on March 31, 2013.

Anglers have a choice of a variety of licenses and prices are unchanged from 2012. Fishing license options include:

24-hour license (good for all species)

72-hour license (good for all species)

Restricted license (good for the entire season for all species except trout, salmon, lake sturgeon, lake herring,

amphibians, reptiles or crustaceans)

All-species license (good for the entire season for all species)

Visit the online version of the 2013 Fishing Guide for license fee details.

Fishing license fees fund a variety of activities, including fish management work on Michigan’s waters, habitat rehabilitation and protection, fish stocking, information distribution, education and outreach efforts to anglers and the public, and much more. Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler fees, through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle, to manage Michigan’s fisheries. The purchase of a fishing license, even for someone who does not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized waters and fisheries.

There are three simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

1. Visit a local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center and make a purchase in person.

2. Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnrelicense.com to get started.

3. Visit the Mobile Fish website on your smartphone at www.mi.gov/fish to buy a 24-hour all-species fishing license. All that’s needed is the purchaser’s driver’s license number and a credit or debit card.

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new license season begins Sunday, April 1. Anglers have a choice of a variety of licenses and prices are unchanged from 2011. Fishing license options include:

• 24-hour license (good for all species).

• 72-hour license (good for all species).

• Season-long restricted license (good for all species except trout, salmon, lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles or crustaceans).

• Season-long, all-species license (good for all species). An additional (free) lake sturgeon tag is required of anglers who fish for or target lake sturgeon.

Fishing license dollars fund a variety of activities, including fish management work on Michigan’s waters, habitat rehabilitation and protection, fish stocking, information distribution, education and outreach efforts to anglers and the public, and much more. Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler dollars, through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle, to manage Michigan’s fisheries. Buying a fishing license even if you do not plan to fish can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized freshwaters.

There are three simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

* Visit your local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center and make a purchase in person.

* Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnr-elicense.com to get started.

* Visit the Mobile Fish website on your smartphone (www.mi.gov/fish) to buy a 24-hour all-species fishing license. All you need is your driver’s license number and a credit or debit card.

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new license season begins Friday, April 1.

Anglers have a choice of a variety of licenses. Anglers should know that lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans have been added to the all-species fishing license requirement.  Anglers may opt for a 24-hour license (good for all species), 72-hour license (good for all species), a season-long restricted license (good for all species except trout, salmon, lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles or crustaceans), or a season-long, all-species license (good for all species).  An additional (free) lake sturgeon tag is required of anglers who fish for or target lake sturgeon. License prices remain unchanged from 2010.

A number of new regulations have been adopted for 2011-12, including a new possession limit, which allows anglers to possess, in addition to one day’s daily possession limit of fish, an additional two daily possession limits of fish taken during previous fishing days provided that the additional limits of fish are processed (canned, cured by smoking or drying, or frozen).

There is an additional 81 miles of designated trout streams that had new modifications to the type of gear allowed. Some of those streams have seasonal gear restrictions. Please see the 2011 Michigan Fishing Guide for details.

There are two changes to the 2011 Fishing Guide that go into effect beginning May 1:

•    The daily possession limit for walleyes on Lake Erie will increase to six (up from five).

•    The maximum size for lake trout and splake in management unit MH-1 in northern Lake Huron will be 24 inches (down from 27 inches), except one fish may measure 32 inches or longer.

Both changes were made when new data became available after the 2011 Fishing Guide went to press. For more information, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.