Michigan Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
How much is a fishing license in Michigan?
A resident annual Michigan fishing license costs $26.00, and a non-resident annual license is $76.00. Michigan also offers short-term day passes and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
🎫 Buy a Michigan Fishing License →Fishing in Michigan
Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes, giving it an enormous fishery. Big water means Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, lake trout, Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie walleye, and world-class northern smallmouth. Inland, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette are hallowed trout rivers, and the lakes add muskie and pike. Between open water, the salmon and steelhead runs, and hard-water fishing, Michigan fishes all year.
Michigan Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$26.00
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$76.00
Non-Resident 24-Hour
Freshwater
$10.00
Non-Resident 7-Day
Freshwater
$31.00
Senior (65+)
Freshwater
$11.00
MI resident only; all-species senior license
Youth (under 17)
Free✅ Prices verified January 2026 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Michigan fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Michigan. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 17 do not need a license. A license is required at 17 and older; anglers under 17 fish without a license (an optional $2 voluntary youth license is available). An adult assisting a minor who is fishing still needs a license.
- Seniors (65+)
- $11 all-species senior annual fishing license for Michigan residents 65 and older (the same $11 reduced-rate license also covers legally blind Michigan residents).
- Anglers with disabilities
- Legally blind Michigan residents qualify for the $11 all-species reduced-rate license. Michigan resident veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled (or individually unemployable) per the VA may obtain, free of charge, any hunting or fishing license that does not require a separate application.
- Veterans & military
- Free hunting/fishing licenses (those not requiring a separate application) for Michigan resident veterans rated by the VA as 100% permanently and totally disabled, or individually unemployable, with documentation. Full-time active-duty U.S. military who retained Michigan residency have fishing-license fees waived (ID/orders required). Not waived for non-residents.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Michigan's two 2026 Free Fishing Weekends — winter February 14–15 and summer June 13–14 — waive all fishing-license fees for residents and non-residents. A Recreation Passport is also not required to enter state parks/boat launches those days. All fishing regulations remain in effect.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified August 2026.
Michigan Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Michigan species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| WalleyeStatewide daily 5, 15-inch minimum; size and season vary by zone — Great Lakes vs inland | 5 | 15" | Year-round on most waters |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth BassSouthern LP opener in late May. Check zone rules | 5 | 14" | June–Nov (varies) |
| Northern PikeStatewide daily 2, 24-inch minimum; some lakes have special limits | 2 | 24" | Year-round |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Michigan Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Michigan?
A resident annual fishing license in Michigan costs $26.00, and a non-resident annual license costs $76.00. Michigan also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Do you need a fishing license in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 17 are exempt. $11 all-species senior annual fishing license for Michigan residents 65 and older (the same $11 reduced-rate license also covers legally blind Michigan residents). Always confirm current rules with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you fish.
Where do you buy a Michigan fishing license?
Buy directly from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Michigan.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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