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Fishing regulations

Cover of the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations

The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations are in effect until March 31, 2027. For a full list of regulations and legal descriptions, see the Fisheries Orders.

Regulation summaries and handbooks
Screenshot of the trout and salmon maps page

Maps have been developed to assist you in identifying inland trout waters and the regulations associated with each waterbody type. These maps should be used along with the current Fishing Regulations.

Launch the Inland Trout and Salmon regulations map »

This application contains a complex map. Please email us at DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 if you require this information in a more accessible format or for assistance with reading or interpreting.

View the printable inland trout and salmon maps

Walleye sport fishing regulations

St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie:

Michigan bag limits for all four waterbodies are now the same and are updated each year on May 1 and run through the following April. Please see the walleye sport fishing regulations PDF for a map and full explanation of the regulations.

Below are the 2025 regulations at a glance:

Waterbody Michigan regulations Ontario regulations Ohio regulations
St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • 15" minimum size limit
  • Three rods per angler
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • No size limit
  • Two lines/boat angler (Lake St. Clair)
N/A
Detroit River
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • 15" minimum size limit
  • Three rods per angler
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • No size limit
  • One line per angler
Lake Erie
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • 15" minimum size limit
  • Three rods per angler
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • No size limit
  • Two lines/boat angler
  • Six fish per day
  • Open all year
  • 15" minimum size limit
  • Three rods per angler

Underwater Spearfishing Areas map

Additional Great Lakes waters are now open to this activity, see pages 16 and 17 of the Michigan Fishing Regulations for more information.

Launch the Underwater Spearfishing Areas map »

This application contains a complex map. Please email us at DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 if you require this information in a more accessible format or for assistance with reading or interpreting.

Mandatory Harvest Registration

Certain fish species are now required to be registered when harvested. Currently, lake sturgeon and muskellunge have mandatory reporting requirements. If you harvest a lake sturgeon or muskellunge, you must report it within 24 hours.

How to register your harvest

You must register your harvest online or by phone. Harvest registration can NOT be done at fish hatcheries, DNR field offices or customer service centers. *Exception: sturgeon harvested during the Black Lake sturgeon season, see below.

*Black Lake sturgeon

Lake sturgeon harvested at Black Lake must be registered immediately on-site with DNR personnel. Instructions will be given when you register for the fishery and obtain a flag (see Black Lake section in the Fishing Regulations).

Why do we require registration?

  • These species can be sensitive to harvest, and knowing the number harvested helps to understand the needed management.
  • Registering your harvest provides helpful information on successes of stocking.
  • These fish are a late-maturing, long-lived species and knowing what sizes these fish are being harvested is helpful to maintain a healthy population.