Michigan’s new fishing license and regulation season kicks off Monday, April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license for this fishing season in order to enjoy some great fishing opportunities. The 2024 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2025.
Michigan DNR Hunt Fish, an official app of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, gives you a mobile path to buy and store hunting, fishing, ORV and snowmobile licenses and permits, report harvests, access guides and digests, and get the latest outdoor recreation updates.
Make future online fishing license purchases even quicker by selecting auto-renew at checkout to automatically receive licenses in the future.
2024 fishing seasons
The statewide trout opener and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons all open Saturday, April 27.
In Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike seasons open Monday, 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 1. (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 25, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers which open Saturday, June 15.
Remember to start and end each fishing adventure by doing your part to prevent the spread of invasive species. Start with a clean boat and clean gear. End by cleaning debris and plant material from boats and trailers and draining live wells and bilges. Decontaminate waders and gear by applying a chemical disinfectant such as Formula 409® Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner after each use, and prevent the spread of fish diseases by disposing of leftover bait in the trash.
