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Michigan

Fishing

Fishing

2023 Fishing Seasons

This table provides general hook-and-line fishing seasons/dates for the species listed. There are many other fishing regulations associated with these species and seasons. Please refer to the rest of the 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide for regulations concerning size limits, possession limits, and other restrictions.

Species

Season Dates

More Info.

April

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Oct..

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

March

Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass

Catch-and-immediate-release on all waters (except as noted below)

Open for Entire Year

Page 12

Possession season on all waters, including Great

Lakes (except as noted below)

May 27 - December 31

Pages 12-13

Possession season on Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit rivers

June 17 - December 31

Page 12

Muskellunge

Catch-and-immediate-release on all waters

Open for Entire Year

Pages 12-14

Possession season on all Great Lakes & inland waters

& St. Marys River- (except as noted below)

June 3- March 15

Pages 12-14

Possession season on Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit rivers

June 3 - December 31

Pages 12-14

Northern Pike & Walleye

Possession season on Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit rivers

Open for Entire Year

Pages 12-14

Possession season on Lower Peninsula inland waters

April 29 - March 15

Pages 12-14

Possession season on Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters & St. Marys River

May 15 - March 15

Pages 12-14

Salmon & Trout

Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Marys River, St. Clair & Detroit rivers

Open for Entire Year (See Great Lakes Lake Trout & Splake information below as well)

Pages 18-21

(Inland) Type 3 & 4 streams and Type B, C, E & F lakes

Open for Entire Year

Pages 42-65

Possession & fishing season (inland) Type 1 & 2 streams

April 29 - September 30

Pages 42-65

Possession & fishing season (inland) Type A & D lakes

April 29- October 31

Pages 42-65

Gear Restricted streams

Please see Pages 44-46 for information concerning seasons on these streams.

Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Cisco, Lake Whitefish, Round Whitefish, Smelt, Sunfishes, White Bass, Yellow Perch & Other Species

All waters open for fishing

Open for Entire Year

Pages 12-14

Great Lakes Lake Trout & Splake - See map and Table 4 on Pages 20-21

Lake Sturgeon - See Table 2 in regulations