The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said fishing licenses are now available for the 2025 season.
According to the DNR, the new fishing license and regulation season starts on Tuesday, April 1, and those who want to fish will need to purchase a new license. They will be valid through March 31, 2026.
Anyone who is 17 or older is required to purchase a fishing license in Michigan, and they're good for all species. However, additional reporting requirements apply to some species and fishing methods.
The annual license costs $26 for Michigan residents and $76 for nonresidents. A daily fishing license is $10, and an option youth fishing license for kids ages 16 & younger is $2.
Below are the opening dates for fishing seasons in Michigan
- Saturday, April 26 - Statewide trout opener and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons
- Thursday, May 15 - Walleye and northern pike in the Upper Peninsula
- Saturday, June 7 - Michigan’s muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers
- Saturday, May 24 - Possession season for bass opens statewide except for Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit rivers
- Saturday, June 21 - Possession season for bass opens for Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River
