Major Regulation Changes

Statewide

• Muskellunge Possession Limit Change: Only 1 muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler. A new non-transferable muskellunge harvest tag is required to harvest muskellunge. The muskellunge harvest tag is free and is available at all fishing license vendors. (See Common Terms)
• Northern Pike Fishing Regulations: Northern pike regulations now include the establishment of a new 24″-34″ protected slot limit on several waters and a no minimum size regulation where 5 fish may be harvested daily with only 1 northern pike greater than 24″ allowed. (See General Hook & Line Regulations)
• Bow and Spear Fishing Regulations: Crossbows are included as lawful gear on the waters where bow and arrow use is lawful. The spearing prohibition on Houghton Lake in Roscommon County was removed. (See Bow & Spear Regulations)
• Netting Regulations: Netting regulations have been modified and some season dates have changed. (See General Netting Regulations).

Upper Peninsula

• Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations: There are 5 new research streams in the Upper Peninsula where an additional 5 brook trout may be retained as the daily possession limit. (See Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations)

Michigan/Wisconsin Boundary Waters

• Muskellunge Possession Limit Change: Only 1 muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler. A new non-transferable muskellunge harvest tag is required to harvest muskellunge. The muskellunge harvest tag is free and is available at all fishing license vendors. (See Michigan-Wisconsin Border Regulations)

Platte River and Little Manistee River

• Possession Limit Change: The Platte River daily possession limit is 1 rainbow trout from the Upper (Hatchery) Platte River Weir downstream to Lake Michigan. The Little Manistee River daily possession limit is 1 rainbow trout from 300 feet downstream of the Little Manistee River Weir down to Manistee Lake.

Betsie River

• Spawning Closure: The lower portion of the Betsie River from the Betsie Valley Trail Bridge (former railroad trestle bridge) west to a line in Betsie Bay between the westernmost dock of the Northstar Marina and the westernmost dock of the Eastshore Marina is closed to fishing until further notice.