In Michigan, anyone 17 years of age or older must purchase a fishing license to fish for fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and reptiles in public waters. Youth under 17 may fish without a license but must follow all fishing rules and regulations. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages all fishing licenses in the Great Lakes State. Any adult actively assisting a minor must have a fishing license, though adults without licenses may help land fish with a net, set up fishing rods, fix tangles, or cast lines as long as the young angler remains an active participant.
Quick Reference: Michigan Fishing License
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual | $26.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual | $76.00 |
| License Required Age | 17 and older |
| Youth Exempt | Under 17 |
| Senior Discount | 65+ or legally blind ($11.00) |
| License Expiration | March 1 through March 31 of following year |
| Buy Online | Michigan DNR Website |
Who Needs a Michigan Fishing License?
Resident Requirements
Michigan residents who are 17 years of age or older must purchase a fishing license before fishing in public waters. A license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and reptiles. If you turn 17 at any point during the current season (April 1 through March 31), you need to buy a license.
To qualify for a resident fishing license, you must be a person who resides in a settled or permanent home or domicile within the boundaries of Michigan with the intention of remaining in the state, or be a full-time student at a Michigan college or university and reside in Michigan, or serve full-time in the U.S. Military and be either officially stationed in Michigan or maintain residency in Michigan. The ownership of land in Michigan by itself is not qualification for a resident license.
Non-Resident Requirements
Non-residents who are 17 years of age or older must also purchase a fishing license to fish in Michigan’s public waters. Non-resident active-duty military personnel officially stationed in Michigan qualify for Michigan resident rates rather than non-resident rates.
License Carrying Requirements
When fishing, you must carry your license and the identification used to purchase that license and exhibit both upon request of a Michigan Conservation Officer, a Tribal Conservation Officer, or any law enforcement officer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers an electronic license that allows individuals to display a copy of their fishing license using a smartphone or similar device.
Michigan Fishing License Types and Prices
Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual All Species Resident | $26.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Annual Senior (65+ or legally blind) | $11.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Daily All Species Resident | $10.00 | 24 hours from start date/time you set |
| Voluntary Youth (under 17) | $2.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Resident (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) | $76.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Senior Resident | $43.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Underwater Spearfishing (Resident) | Free | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
Non-Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual All Species Nonresident | $76.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Daily All Species Nonresident | $10.00 | 24 hours from start date/time you set |
| Voluntary Youth Nonresident (under 17) | $2.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Combo Hunt/Fish Nonresident | $266.00 | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
| Underwater Spearfishing (Nonresident) | Free | March 1 – March 31 (following year) |
DNR Sportcard
A DNR Sportcard costs $1.00 and may be needed for certain license purchases. If the information on your DNR Sportcard from a previous year is still accurate, you may continue to use it. When purchasing a DNR Sportcard, you will be asked to provide two proofs of Michigan residency.
License Fee Surcharge
A $1.00 surcharge is included in the resident annual, nonresident annual, and senior annual fishing licenses, as well as the combo hunt and fish licenses. Revenue generated from these funds will be used to educate the public on the benefits of hunting, fishing, and trapping in Michigan, and the impact of these activities on the conservation, preservation, and management of the state’s natural resources.
Special Notes on Pricing
All fishing licenses are good for all species allowed for harvest as indicated in the Michigan fishing digest. License fees are subject to change based on statute and adjustments to the consumer price index. The daily fishing license is valid for 24 hours and may be purchased as needed, with you setting the date and time for the license to start.
Who Is Exempt from Needing a Fishing License?
Age Exemptions
Youth under 17 years of age may fish without a license in Michigan. However, they are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. A voluntary youth fishing license is available for $2.00 for residents or nonresidents under the age of 17, but it is not required.
Military Exemptions
Fishing license fees are waived for full-time, federal, active-duty U.S. military personnel who have maintained resident status. The individual must present military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, or other evidence verifying that he or she is an active-duty member of the military, along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card. This license is available at DNR Customer Service Centers and at license retail outlets statewide and is valid for the license year. Military members receiving a free license must present the license, along with proof of military status, if requested by a Conservation Officer.
Veterans with Disabilities Exemptions
A resident veteran with a disability is eligible to obtain a fishing license free of charge if one of the following conditions is met: the person has been determined by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans’ benefits at the 100% rate for a disability other than blindness, or the person has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs as individually unemployable.
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
A developmentally disabled individual or a resident of a home for the aged licensed under the Public Health Code may obtain a permit from the DNR to fish without a license if the developmentally disabled individual or the resident of the licensed home for the aged is a member of a group accompanied by one or more adults who hold a valid license to fish. Permits are available at DNR Customer Service Centers.
Free Fishing Weekends
Michigan waives all fishing licenses on designated free fishing weekends for residents and out-of-state visitors. In 2025, free fishing weekend is scheduled for June 7-8. Additionally, recreational passports are not required for entry into state parks during free fishing weekend. Residents and nonresidents can fish without paying license fees during these events.
Special Permits and Endorsements
Underwater Spearfishing
Underwater spearfishing licenses are available free of charge for both residents and nonresidents. A DNR Sportcard may be needed for this license. This license requires monthly effort and harvest reporting. The license is required for underwater spearfishing activities as described in Michigan’s bow and spear fishing regulations.
Sturgeon Harvest
The sturgeon permit and harvest tag are no longer required in Michigan. However, you must register your sturgeon harvest within 24 hours of catching one.
How to Buy Your Michigan Fishing License
Online Purchase
The easiest way to get your Michigan fishing license is online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. From the DNR website, you can purchase a license and also complete other activities like reprinting a lost license. When you purchase your license online, you can choose to automatically renew it for the following year.
Mobile App Purchase
You can also purchase your license on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App, which allows you to buy, store, and display your license on your smartphone or similar device.
In-Person Purchase
Michigan fishing licenses are available at DNR Customer Service Centers throughout the state. You can also purchase a license from one of the state’s licensed agents, including snowmobile dealerships and other retail outlets statewide. A list of license agents is available at Michigan.gov.
Required Documentation
To purchase a fishing license, you must have one of the following forms of identification:
- A valid Michigan driver’s license
- A valid Michigan ID card issued by the Secretary of State
- A valid driver’s license from your state of residency
- A DNR Sportcard issued by license dealers
Help with License Purchase
If you have problems buying your license online, you can call the DNR’s License Sales Help Desk at 517-284-6057 for assistance.
License Validity and Expiration
Michigan’s annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year. This means if you purchase an annual license at any time during the season, it will expire on March 31 of the following year, regardless of when you bought it.
The daily fishing license is valid for 24 hours from the start date and time that you set when purchasing the license. This allows anglers to choose exactly when they want their 24-hour fishing period to begin.
Lost or Damaged Licenses
If you lose your fishing license, you can reprint it online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. The DNR also offers electronic licenses that can be displayed on smartphones or similar devices, reducing the risk of losing a physical license.
Automatic Renewal
When purchasing your license online through the Michigan DNR website, you have the option to automatically renew your license for the following year. This ensures you never fish without a valid license.
Fishing in Shared Waters
Michigan shares the Great Lakes with other states and Canada. License holders must be cautious where they fish because a Michigan license is only valid within the state’s water border. If you plan to fish in waters shared with neighboring states or Canada, you may need additional licenses.
Ontario Fishing Requirements
In Ontario, fishers and hunters must purchase an outdoors card for $8.57 Canadian in addition to a fishing license, which is $83.19 for non-Canada residents.
Ohio Fishing Requirements
In Ohio, fishing licenses are $50.96 for nonresidents.
Indiana Fishing Requirements
In Indiana, fishing licenses cost $60.00 for nonresidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a fishing license in Michigan?
A resident annual fishing license in Michigan costs $26.00, while a non-resident annual license costs $76.00. Senior residents who are 65 or older or legally blind can purchase an annual license for $11.00. Daily licenses for both residents and non-residents cost $10.00 and are valid for 24 hours from the start time you set.
Can I purchase a Michigan fishing license online?
Yes, you can purchase a Michigan fishing license online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App. When purchasing online, you can choose to automatically renew your license for the following year. If you need help with your online purchase, you can call the DNR’s License Sales Help Desk at 517-284-6057.
Can I have my fishing license on my phone in Michigan?
Yes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers an electronic license that allows you to display a copy of your fishing license using a smartphone or similar device. You can purchase and store your license on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App and present it to conservation officers when requested.
Can you get a 1 day fishing license in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan offers a daily fishing license for both residents and non-residents that costs $10.00. This license is valid for 24 hours and you can set the date and time for when you want the license to start, allowing you to purchase it as needed for specific fishing trips.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Michigan?
You must purchase a fishing license in Michigan if you are 17 years of age or older. Youth under 17 may fish without a license but must observe all fishing rules and regulations. If you turn 17 at any point during the current season (April 1 through March 31), you need to buy a license.
For the most current information and to purchase your license, visit the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.