Michigan's new fishing license and regulation season begins Wednesday, April 1, so if you’re planning to hit the water, you’ll need to purchase a new fishing license. The 2026 fishing licenses are available for purchase now and are valid through March 31, 2027.
All anglers ages 17 and older are required to purchase a fishing license to fish public waters in Michigan. These licenses are good for all species, though additional reporting requirements apply to some species and fishing methods. Anglers can purchase:
An annual fishing license at $26 for Michigan residents or $76 for nonresidents (both carry an additional $1 surcharge); a senior annual fishing license at $11 for Michigan residents 65 and older or residents who are legally blind (with additional $1 surcharge); a daily fishing license at $10 per day for Michigan residents and nonresidents 17 and older (valid for 24 hours); and an optional youth fishing license, which is available at just $2 for anglers ages 16 and younger.
Make future online fishing license purchases even more convenient by selecting auto-renew at online checkout or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing through the app.
The statewide trout opener and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 25.
The catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters (unless otherwise closed to fishing — check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations for specifics).
The possession season for bass opens throughout West Michigan Saturday, May 23.
The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations are available online, along with other helpful resources, including fishing locations, “how-to” tips and species identification. Visit the DNR website at Michigan.gov/Fishing to access these resources and the most up-to-date information.
