The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that 2026 fishing licenses are now available for purchase. The licenses are valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2027.
The new license and regulation season begins Wednesday, April 1. All anglers ages 17 and older are required to have a license to fish public waters in Michigan, with licenses covering all species. Some species and fishing methods may require additional reporting.
Annual fishing licenses for Michigan residents cost $26, while nonresidents can purchase one for $76. Both annual options include an additional $1 surcharge. Michigan residents who are at least 65 years old or those who are legally blind are eligible for a senior annual license at a cost of $11-plus the $1 surcharge.
Daily fishing licenses are available for $10 per day for both residents and nonresidents ages 17 and older. These licenses are valid for a 24-hour period. For younger anglers ages 16 and under, the state offers an optional youth fishing license for $2.Licenses can be purchased online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. To simplify future transactions, the DNR provides an auto-renew option at checkout or within the app’s settings, which automatically handles the purchase of new licenses as they become available each season.
The statewide trout opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, which also marks the start of the inland walleye and northern pike seasons in the Lower Peninsula. In Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike seasons are set to open Friday, May 15.
The possession season for muskellunge begins Saturday, June 6, across all Great Lakes, inland waters and the St. Marys, St. Clair and Detroit rivers, though catch-and-release fishing for the species is permitted year-round. Bass possession season opens statewide Saturday, May 23, with the exception of Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, where the season begins June 20.
The DNR is also asking anglers to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. The department recommends that boaters clean debris from their equipment, drain live wells and bilges and dry their watercraft for at least five days before entering new bodies of water. Gear such as waders should be decontaminated with a chemical disinfectant after each use.
The new fishing license and regulation season officially begins Wednesday, April 1. The statewide trout opener will follow on April 25.