Fishing Regulations in Michigan
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before fishing. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Fishing License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Senior Discount
Under 17
Youth under 17 may fish without a license or buy the optional $2 youth license. Senior annual and daily licenses available; licenses valid April 1–March 31.
🐟 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth / Smallmouth Bass | Last Saturday in June (inland lakes) – December 31 | 5/day | 12 inches minimum | Catch-and-release only from April 30 through last Friday in June. Some lakes have special regulations. Great Lakes open year-round. |
| Walleye / Sauger | First Saturday in May (most Lower Peninsula waters) – March 15 | 6/day | 15 inches minimum (some waters 13 inches) | One fish over 24 inches allowed within the bag on most inland waters. IMPORTANT: Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron waters (MH-4) have special regulations: 8-fish daily bag limit with 13-inch minimum, open year-round. Upper Peninsula season dates vary. Always check the current DNR fishing guide for specific waters — walleye regulations vary significantly by location. |
| Northern Pike | First Saturday in May – March 15 | 5/day | 24 inches minimum | Some designated waters have 36-inch minimum for trophy regulations |
| Muskellunge | Fourth Saturday in May – November 30 | 1/day | 36 inches minimum (some waters 42 or 48 inches) | Slot limits and higher size minimums on many designated muskie lakes — always check the specific water body |
| Trout & Salmon (inland streams) | Last Saturday in April – September 30 | 5/day | 8 inches (streams) / 10 inches (designated streams) | Some streams designated Type 1–4 with different rules. Many Lake Michigan tributaries have extended seasons and special salmon regulations. |
| Chinook / Coho Salmon (Lake Michigan tributaries) | Year-round (check specific stream) | 5/day | No minimum statewide | Fall run (Sept–Nov) is peak time. Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and St. Joseph Rivers are famous for salmon runs. |
| Steelhead (Lake Michigan/Huron tributaries) | Year-round on most rivers | 5/day | No minimum statewide | Spring steelhead run (March–May) is world-class on rivers like the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and St. Joseph. Wild steelhead are increasingly protected — catch-and-release encouraged on some streams. Always check DNR regulations for specific rivers. |
| Yellow Perch | Year-round | 50/day | None | One of Michigan's most popular fish; Ice fishing for perch is a beloved winter tradition |
| Bluegill / Sunfish | Year-round | 25/day | None statewide | Combined bag of 25 sunfish species. Plan by waterbody in Michigan, since local chapters and seasonal access details can differ significantly. |
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov/dnr). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Fishing in Michigan
Michigan offers varied freshwater fishing across rivers reservoirs and local waters with consistent opportunity for Walleye Smallmouth Bass Chinook Salmon Steelhead Muskellunge Success usually comes from matching your plan to each waterbody instead of relying on one statewide pattern Use Michigan Department of Natural Resources michigan gov dnr materials alongside current conditions to choose access points launch timing and presentations that fit the day Walleye opener in May is the Super Bowl of Michigan fishing Bass are catch-and-release only but still fun Steelhead run in rivers April May Bass season opens late June Salmon fishing on Great Lakes excellent June August Smallmouth bass fishing peaks Bluegill spawn in shallow water Chinook salmon run in rivers Sept Nov spectacular action Bass bite rebounds Pike and muskie fishing heats up as water cools Walleye move shallow Ice fishing season Perch bluegill walleye and pike all popular on ice The UP and northern Lower Peninsula freeze up first check conditions before going License costs listed here include 26 annual includes 1 surcharge and 76 annual includes 1 surcharge so confirm eligibility.
Best Times to Fish in Michigan
🌱 Spring
Walleye opener in May is the Super Bowl of Michigan fishing. Bass are catch-and-release only but still fun. Steelhead run in rivers April–May.
☀️ Summer
Bass season opens late June. Salmon fishing on Great Lakes excellent June–August. Smallmouth bass fishing peaks. Bluegill spawn in shallow water.
🍂 Fall
Chinook salmon run in rivers Sept–Nov — spectacular action. Bass bite rebounds. Pike and muskie fishing heats up as water cools. Walleye move shallow.
❄️ Winter
Ice fishing season. Perch, bluegill, walleye, and pike all popular on ice. The UP and northern Lower Peninsula freeze up first — check conditions before going.
🎣 Expert Fishing Tips for Michigan
- Saginaw Bay walleye fishing in May and early June is world-class — fish near river mouths and flats in 6–15 feet of water
- The Pere Marquette River is a designated National Wild and Scenic River — catch salmon in fall and steelhead in spring
- Lake St. Clair is the smallmouth bass capital of North America; fish the rock piles and weed edges
- Bass season opens late (last Saturday in June) — practice catch-and-release in May and early June
- Ice fishing season typically runs December through February or March — always check ice thickness before venturing out
- The Upper Peninsula offers some of the most pristine wilderness fishing in the US — brook trout in remote streams is spectacular
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
📞 (517) 284-5880
🗺️ Nearby States (Midwest)
Also available: Hunting Regulations in Michigan — deer, turkey, waterfowl season dates, bag limits, and license info.