Ready for spring fishing? 2026 Michigan fishing licenses now available

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).
• An optional youth fishing license, which is available at just $2 for anglers ages 16 and younger.

Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing through the app. Make future online fishing license purchases even more convenient by selecting auto-renew at online checkout or in the Auto Renewals section of the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app to automatically buy future licenses as they become available.

2026 fishing seasons

• The statewide trout opener and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 25.
• In Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike seasons open Friday, May 15.
• 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 opens Saturday, June 6. (Remember that catch-and-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year.)
• 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 statewide Saturday, May 23, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, which open Saturday, June 20.

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. For fishing license questions, contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057.

Help protect Michigan's waters

Aquatic invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels alter lake and stream ecosystems, affecting many fish species and boating opportunities. Start and end each fishing adventure by doing your part to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Remember to Clean, Drain and Dry: Start with a clean boat and clean gear. After fishing, remove debris and plant material from boats and trailers and drain live wells and bilges. Decontaminate waders and gear by applying a gear-safe chemical disinfectant after each use and prevent the spread of fish diseases by disposing of leftover bait in the trash. If possible, dry your craft for at least five days or clean with disinfectant before entering a new body of water.

Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Fishing: Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing your license through the app. The 2026 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2027.
• DNR Hunt Fish app: Screenshots from the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, showing some of the things users can do with the app, such as buying licenses, looking up regulations, viewing maps and accessing drawing results.