Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Use the link above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below:
Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:
Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket.
Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINTER FUN HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:
Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more.
Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.
Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below.
We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below:
Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below.
DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.
All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups
Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR
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The DNR uses the resources in the toolkit to further accomplish its mission to benefit Michigan residents. Seizing opportunities such as land purchases and exchanges, the DNR is primarily seeking to achieve two objectives: strategic investment in current land holdings and an expansion of service which represents acquisitions in new areas.
Strategic investment focuses on the consolidation of existing lands within project areas. Project areas are defined by a dedicated project boundary that serves as a long-term goal of DNR land ownership in an area. In many cases dedicated project boundaries will include both DNR-managed public lands and privately owned lands within them, which often reflects the pattern of acquisition of lands over time. For example, many lands may have tax reverted to the state of Michigan to form a core of public land ownership, but then interspersed among these parcels of state lands are parcels that are still privately held, often occurring as a "checkerboard" pattern. As these privately owned parcels become available for sale and funds are available to the DNR, these parcels, known as "inholdings," may be purchased by the state to fill in the project area in order to achieve a solid, larger and more easily defined block of DNR-managed public lands over time.
Having land consolidated in these easily defined blocks of ownership has many advantages, both to the public and to the DNR staff who administer and manage these lands. The benefits include:
Consolidating existing DNR ownership into larger, more easily definable blocks of public ownership often multiplies the benefits of existing lands because private inholdings detract from those conservation and recreation values associated with public lands. Because of the many advantages of consolidated land ownership, land consolidation efforts are among the highest priority for DNR acquisitions. The acquisition of priority parcels to achieve consolidation may occur through purchase, land exchange, gift or other means. Some of the most iconic state lands in Michigan have been acquired by using the land consolidation model. An example is the Pigeon River Country State Forest, which started out as a 6,400-acre tax-reverted parcel. Over time, lands were added to provide habitat for a growing elk population, including 53,000 acres of land acquired through hunter license fees. Now the Pigeon River Country is well over 100,000 acres and is the largest, most contiguous block of state land in the Lower Peninsula (see Appendix E).
Expansion of service involves either the acquisition of lands that are not currently associated with existing dedicated project boundaries or the establishment of new project areas in order to meet DNR priorities. Parcels of land in this category may be smaller, isolated parcels that are located outside of a dedicated project boundary, such as a new boating access site. They may also be smaller parcels of land that are associated with existing DNR-managed public lands, such as a parcel of land that is acquired for purposes of establishing a trailhead for a popular designated trail. Other parcels may be larger in size and, as a result, establish their own dedicated project boundary, such as the creation of a state game area in southern Michigan. Unlike the strategic purchase of inholdings, which often results in increased management and administrative efficiencies for DNR staff, lands acquired as an expansion of service must be carefully considered to ensure adequate capacity exists to manage and administer the new lands. Partnerships with local units of government or other collaborators offer potential opportunities to ensure sufficient capacity.
Both strategic investment in our current ownership and the expansion of service in areas that lack adequate public lands are essential to continue the enhancement and improvement of Michigan's public land base. This public land base, which is constantly evolving for the benefit of Michigan residents, serves as the foundation for accomplishing the goals and strategic initiatives that are set forth in this document and provides the opportunity to achieve fulfillment of the DNR's mission.
The Michigan Constitution and the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act are the authorities which charge the DNR with the specific duties and responsibilities that it is required to execute. Among the most fundamental responsibilities of the DNR are the obligation to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the state, provide for and develop facilities for outdoor recreation, and to implement an ecosystem-based strategy for resource management aimed at protecting and enhancing the sustainability, diversity and productivity of the natural resources of Michigan. A large DNR-managed public land base is essential to, and provides the foundation for, the accomplishment of these core responsibilities.
These core responsibilities are the backbone of the goals set forth in this land strategy. Each goal is comprised of numerous strategies that assist in accomplishing the overall goal. In compliance with statute, each of the respective strategies has a regional focus - southern Lower Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula or Upper Peninsula - and in some cases, the focus is statewide. Additionally, each identified strategy contains a measurable objective that details work that will be accomplished by DNR staff regionally and around the state to achieve it. Each identified measure will provide an opportunity for the DNR to track progress and communicate results.
The work toward the accomplishment of the identified goals is central to the function of the DNR and will be achieved through the course of day-to-day work. Additional detail of the specific approach to completing this work may also be found in sources such as strategic plans or management plans from department divisions.
In addition to measuring progress toward meeting the identified goals, strategies and measurable objectives, the DNR is committed to identifying new partnerships and growth opportunities for improved management and administration of these remarkable land resources through the adoption of several new strategic initiatives. It is important to note that in contrast to the goals, which will be accomplished through typical day-to-day work, the strategic initiatives are in addition to normal DNR operations and may require dedicated resources (including funding, personnel and support) to achieve. However, the department believes that the accomplishment of the identified strategic initiatives will result in better management of, and broader, more equitable access to DNR-managed public lands.
Whether developing a plan to make access to outdoor recreation more inclusive and accessible, conducting a timber harvest to enhance wildlife habitat while also supporting the forest products industry, or working to protect our native plants and animals from invasive species - these goals and strategic initiatives outline the priorities of the DNR and its role in managing the public land base.
One of the primary, essential responsibilities of the DNR is the obligation to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the state. Ensuring the health and resiliency of Michigan's natural communities on DNR-managed public lands contributes to the state's unique sense of place, the overall well-being of Michiganders, and the distinguished hunting and fishing traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Protecting the landscapes, buildings and archaeological resources on public lands documents Michigan's heritage and identity for future generations. Together, this goal will be accomplished by strategies ranging from the management of habitat and natural communities to the interpretation of heritage trails - epitomizing the core functions of the DNR.
Sustainably manage and protect fish and wildlife habitat, natural communities and areas that are managed for a specific conservation value^.
Develop proactive ways to adapt, prepare and mitigate emerging and existing threats to natural and cultural resources due to climate change^.
Address priority invasive species.
Integrate the role of fire in ecosystem management.
Maintain, enhance, replace and remove infrastructure as needed to reduce impacts to natural resources.
Protect and restore DNR-managed public lands impacted by degradation caused by unauthorized uses.
Identify, protect and interpret cultural resources.
A core responsibility of the DNR is to provide for and develop facilities for outdoor recreation. With recreation as a cornerstone of the Michigan lifestyle, a large public land base is fundamental to providing for the array of recreation pursuits embraced by residents. Whether enjoying opportunities to be physically active, discovering a new favorite recreation activity, or just appreciating the natural beauty of Michigan, getting outdoors is good for overall health and well-being. Access to outdoor recreation is essential in all corners of the state from downtown Detroit to the grasslands and farm fields of mid-Michigan to the vast forests and winding streams of the northern Lower and Upper peninsulas. Providing and improving access to outdoor public recreation opportunities will be accomplished by strategies ranging from anticipating trends in outdoor recreation to strategic land acquisitions to managing our 13,000-plus-mile designated trail network.
Provide and maintain diverse recreation experiences^ while anticipating and responding to trends in outdoor recreation.
Ensure appropriate access to large blocks of public land to offer a variety of dispersed and backcountry recreation experiences^.
Provide public water access to the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers and streams. (Access includes walk-in fishing sites, carry-down boating access sites, trailered boating access sites and harbor/marina facilities.)
Increase access to diverse recreation opportunities in or near urban areas.
In coordination with local units of government, where appropriate, increase public land ownership in areas that have been identified through a DNR analysis as lacking public lands (see Appendix R).
Manage the more than 13,000-mile state-designated trails network using the 2021 DNR Statewide Trails Plan to guide key metrics and priorities (see Appendix R).
The duty to implement a scientifically sound, ecosystem-based strategy for resource management aimed at protecting and enhancing the sustainability, diversity and productivity of Michigan's natural resources is another fundamental obligation of the DNR. Responsible management of natural resource assets involves ensuring timber management and harvests are sustainable, extraction and storage of mineral products and recreation on DNR-managed public lands are accomplished in a way that protects the long-term integrity of the state's natural resources. Aside from the inherent benefits of healthy forests, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities, the active management of these valuable resources also significantly contributes to sectors of Michigan's economy and benefits its residents. The management of the state forest system helps to support a vibrant forest products industry. The underground storage of natural gas in Michigan's unique geology helps to drive down heating costs for residents. Making DNR-managed public lands available for recreation activities such as biking on a trail helps to support small businesses in communities along that path ranging from a bike repair shop to restaurants and hotels. The sustainable management of Michigan's natural resource assets will play a significant role as the world continues to mitigate climate change and shift toward renewable energy sources. This approach to the responsible management of our natural resources will be accomplished by strategies ranging from sustainably managing the vast state forest system to the identification of opportunities for climate change mitigation through using DNR-managed public lands as natural climate solutions.
Sustainably manage and protect the state forest system while also maintaining dual third-party forest certification^.
Facilitate responsible oil and gas, metallic and nonmetallic mineral and underground gas storage development through leasing activities.
Contribute to a strong and thriving outdoor recreation industry by marketing the abundance and availability of recreation opportunities on DNR-managed public lands.
Assess the potential for locating utility-scale solar energy on DNR-managed public lands that have been degraded by past industrial use.
Identify and address opportunities for climate change mitigation associated with natural resources management on DNR-managed public lands.
More specialized, the strategic initiatives build upon the foundation that is laid by the day-to-day work of DNR staff as outlined in the goals, strategies and measurable objectives. These initiatives offer an opportunity to improve upon existing programs and priorities, leverage partnerships in an effort to strengthen and broaden the impacts of the DNR's work, learn about public perceptions and needs, and better plan for the future. An investment of dedicated resources from funding to personnel may be required in order to accomplish the work outlined in these strategic initiatives.
From a strategic approach of acquiring public lands to carrying out the measurable objectives and strategies that will achieve the priority goals of the DNR to the implementation of the progressive strategic initiatives, the DNR is committed to acting on behalf of residents for the benefit of Michigan's public lands, natural resources and communities. The conservation of the state's unparalleled natural resources, the diverse array of recreation opportunities, and the responsibility to sustainably manage Michigan's natural resources depend on the foundation that DNR-managed public lands provide.
