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Michigan

Fishing

Fishing

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 Michigan Fishing Regulations for regulations concerning size limits, possession limits, and other restrictions.

Species

Season Dates


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


Possession season on all waters, including Great

Lakes (except as noted below)

May 25 - December 31


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

June 15 - December 31


Muskellunge

Catch-and-immediate-release on all waters

Open for Entire Year


Possession season on all Great Lakes & inland waters

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

June 1- March 15


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

June 1 - December 31


Northern Pike & Walleye

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

Open for Entire Year


Possession season on Lower Peninsula inland waters

April 27 - March 15


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

May 15 - March 15


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)


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

Open for Entire Year


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

April 27 - September 30


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

April 27- October 31


Gear Restricted streams

Please see 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


Great Lakes Lake Trout & Splake - See Regulations

Lake Sturgeon - See Regulations