Fishing License Information
License Items & Fees
Purchase your fishing license (and more) online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.
All fishing licenses are good for all species allowed for harvest as indicated in this digest. A $1 surcharge is included in the resident annual, nonresident annual, and senior annual fishing licenses as well as the combo hunt and fish licenses, as noted with the asterisk (*). 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 in accordance with statute. License fees are subject to change in accordance with statute and changes in the consumer price index. Learn more at Michigan.gov/DNR.
| Item Type | Fee |
|---|---|
DNR Sportcard | $1 |
All Species Fishing Licenses | |
Resident Annual | $26* |
Nonresident Annual | $76* |
Senior Annual (Residents 65 or older or Residents who are legally blind – see p. 6) | $11* |
Daily Fish (Resident or Nonresident) This license is valid for 24 hours and may be purchased as needed | $10/day |
Underwater Spearfishing (Resident or Nonresident) Required for the activity as described on p. 16. Reporting is required. | Free (A DNR Sportcard may be needed. See p. 6.) |
Voluntary Youth (Age 16 and under) | $2* |
Combo Hunt/Fish Licenses (Base, Annual Fishing, 2 Deer) | |
Hunt/Fish Resident | $76* |
Hunt/Fish Senior Resident | $43* |
Hunt/Fish Nonresident | $266* |
Fishing license fees are waived for Michigan residents who are veterans with 100% disability or active-duty military (see p. 6)
Who needs a Michigan fishing license?
A license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles in public waters of the state. If you are 17 years of age or older and fish in Michigan, you must purchase a fishing license. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. If turning 17 at any point during the current season (April 1 - March 31) you'll need to buy a license.
Where can you purchase a Michigan fishing license (or replace a lost one)?
Option 1: Online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses
Option 2: On the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App
Option 3: At a License Agent (find the list at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenseAgents)
Option 4: At a DNR Customer Service Center (find the one closest to you on p. 73)
Need help? Problems buying your license online? Call the DNR's License Sales Help Desk: 517-284-6057
Note: The youth fishing license is voluntary and not required for ages 16 and under (See p. 9)
Where does the fishing license revenue go?
For information concerning where fishing license funds are used please see p. 72.
Any adult actively assisting a minor must have a fishing license. However, adults without a fishing license may do the following:
- Help land a fish with a net or their hands
- Help unhook a fish
- Set up the fishing rod with the appropriate gear
- Bait the hook
- Fix tangles or snags
- Cast the line for young anglers; however, it should be stressed the young angler must be an active participant while the adult is only assisting
License Requirements
Fishing License Requirements and Special Provisions
- You must purchase a license if you are 17 years of age or older.
- If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations.
- 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 has an electronic license that allows an individual to display a copy of the fishing license using a smart phone or similar device.
- Your annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.
To purchase a fishing license you must have:
- A valid Michigan Driver's License; or
- A valid Michigan ID Card (issued by the Secretary of State); or
- A valid driver's license from your state of residency; or A DNR Sportcard (issued by license dealers). If the information on your DNR Sportcard from a previous year is still accurate, you may continue to use it. NOTE: when purchasing a DNR Sportcard you will be asked to provide two proofs of Michigan residency.
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 this state with the intention of remaining in this 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.
Other special provisions:
U.S. Military Personnel: 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/she is an active-duty member of the military, along with a valid Michigan driver's license or voter registration card. This license, available at DNR Customer Service Centers (see p. 73) and at license retail outlets statewide, 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. NOTE: Nonresident, active-duty military personnel officially stationed in Michigan qualify for Michigan resident rates.
Michigan Veterans with Disabilities: A resident veteran with a disability is eligible to obtain a fishing license, that does not require a separateapplication, 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 bepermanently 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.
Residents who are blind: A resident who is declared legally blind is eligible to purchase the senior fishing license.
Persons with developmental disabilities or residents of a home for the aged (licensed under the Public Health Code): 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 1 or more adults who hold a valid license to fish. Permits are available at DNR Customer Service Centers (see p. 73).
