General Fishing Regulations

Major Regulation Changes

Note: Always call 888-367-7060 or check the Michigan Fishing website for the most up-to-date regulation information.

Inland Stream Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Changes

Steelhead regulations on several Type 3 and 4 streams have been slightly modified from last year. Some streams no longer have a 20-inch minimum size limit.

New Single-Pointed Hook Restriction and Spearing Prohibition Waters

The ports of Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Whitehall/Montague are now under single-pointed hook regulations from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 (see Exceptions to General Regulations by County). Plus, on these same waters, it shall be unlawful to spear or possess spearing gear from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 (see Bow & Spear Fishing Regulations).

Muskellunge Size Limit Regulation Changes

Thornapple Lake (Barry & Eaton) and Lake Hudson (Lenawee) are important Great Lakes strain Muskellunge broodstock lakes where new 50” minimum size limit regulations have been implemented.

License Fees

Michigan's fishing license fees may undergo changes after production of this digest. Check online for more information.

Marked and Tagged Fish

In evaluating fish stocks, the DNR and natural resource partners often mark fish with a visible tag, an internal tag and/or fin clips. If you catch a marked fish, please report it online through Eyes in the Field. Here you will be able to report information about your marked fish, such as: species, length, weight, sex, type of mark, tag number (if applicable), and the date and location of catch. Some tags have an associated monetary reward for their return. Anglers who catch a reward-tagged fish should report the tag through Eyes in the Field and follow any specific instructions on the tag, such as calling a phone number, mailing the tag, or extracting an internal tag. Please do not remove any tags from Lake Sturgeon.

Many Great Lakes trout or salmon have been marked with a microscopic coded-wire tag implanted in the snout (part of head from behind the eyes forward) of the fish. Fish with these tags can be identified by the absence of the adipose fin. If you catch and keep a trout or salmon with ONLY its adipose fin missing, that fish could have such a tag. Please record the species, length, weight, sex and the date and location of catch; freeze only the snout and take it to your nearest drop off location. You can find drop-off locations and information about most MDNR fish marking studies on the Tagged Fish page.

Description of Inland Waters

Inland waters are all waters within the jurisdiction of the state except the Great Lakes, and the bays and connecting waters. The connecting waters between Lake Superior and Lake Huron include that portion of the St. Marys River located within this state. The connecting waters of Lake Huron and Lake Erie include the St. Clair River (begins at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east-west line drawn through the most southerly point of Celeron Island). Inland waters include all inland lakes, streams and tributaries to the Great Lakes.

Closed Seasons (Spawning Closures)

Michigan prohibits fishing for various species at certain times of the year. These seasonal closures generally coincide with spawning periods and are often referred to as spawning closures. Many anglers and managers tend to think of these regulations as providing specific protection to spawning fish, and the timing and length of closed seasons are generally related to the timing and duration of spawning seasons. These closures are indicated by lake or stream in the county listing (see Exceptions to General Regulations by County and Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations). Lakes and streams are closed to all fishing during the period listed.

Native American Fishing on Inland Waters

Federal treaties exist between the United States government and tribes residing in Michigan. Although the entire State of Michigan is covered by treaties, only two treaty areas are currently subject to fishing b y tribal governments. T he Treaty of Washington, signed in 1836, covers the eastern Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The Treaty of La Pointe, signed in 1842, covers the western Upper Peninsula and areas of northern Wisconsin.

Seasons and possession limits for tribal members may differ somewhat from state regulations. In addition, under a permit system, tribal members may use spears and may place impoundment nets on designated public waters. The use of gill nets is prohibited in inland waters. If you encounter these activities, do not disrupt the fishers or interfere with their nets. For more information, please visit the Tribal Coordination website.

Did You Know:

Violators of fishing rules & regulations can face fines, jail time, loss of fishing equipment and/or revocation of their fishing license?

*NOTE: Violations under section 48702a could lead to a fine, jail or both.

General Fishing Regulations

This table provides general statewide regulations for the species listed. However, there are many waters in the state that have fishing regulations which differ from those in this table. For instance, it is unlawful to possess fishing gear or fish for suckers on designated trout waters during the closed fishing season. Please refer to the Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Waters, Sylvania Wilderness Area, Exceptions to General Regulations by County, and Inland Trout & Salmon Regulations. ATTENTION ANGLERS: There are regulations requiring all bass and Walleye tournaments and Muskellunge contests be registered.

General Fishing Regulations Table

NOTE 1 - All Warmwater Fish

Warmwater fish include all species listed in this table. Regulations for trout and salmon on inland waters are provided along with Great Lakes trout and salmon regulations.

NOTE 2 - Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass

Catch-and-Immediate-Release (CIR) seasons: CIR fishing for bass is allowed all year on all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. All bass caught must be immediately returned to the water (see Definitions & Terms).

On L. Michigan, within one-half mile of the following islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago: Beaver, Garden, High and Hog, (Charlevoix Co.) the possession season is July 1 - Dec. 31 and open to bass CIR all year.

NOTE 3 - Walleye

L. Huron waters of MH-4 including Saginaw Bay and lower Saginaw R. including tributaries (Bay and Saginaw Counties) from the mouth of the river, upstream to the West Center Street (Douglas G. Schenk) Bridge. The daily possession limit for Walleye is 8 with a 13" minimum size limit and open all year. Any changes will be announced on the Michigan Fishing website and in a prerecorded message at 888-367-7060.

L. Erie, Detroit R., L. St. Clair and St. Clair R.: The daily possession limit is 6 Walleye through April 30, 2026. The daily possession limit for Walleye will be updated by May 1 annually. The daily possession limit will be announced on the Michigan DNR Fishing website and in a prerecorded message at 888-367-7060.

L. Michigan waters of Little Bay de Noc (Delta Co.): The daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Walleye 23" or greater north of a line drawn from Peninsula Point Lighthouse to the mouth of the Bark R.

L. Michigan waters of Green Bay (Menominee Co.): from the mouth of the Menominee R. northward to latitude/longitude (45.5505, -87.2637). located approximately 10 miles north of the Cedar R., from March 2 - Fri. before 1st Sat. in May the daily possession limit is 1 Walleye and from the 1st Sat. in May - March 1 the daily possession limit is 5 Walleye.

Cheboygan R. from the south end of the outermost breakwall at Mullett L. downstream to Cheboygan Dam, and Black R. from Alverno Dam downstream to its confluence with the Cheboygan R.: the possession season for Walleye shall be May 15 - March 15.

Ontonagon R. (Ontonagon Co.): No more than 1 Walleye over 23" may be possessed in daily possession limit.

Portage and Torch L. systems (Houghton Co.): No more than 1 Walleye over 23" may be possessed in daily possession limit.

NOTE 4 - Muskellunge & Northern Pike

Mandatory Registration of Harvested Muskellunge: Anglers are required to register Muskellunge harvest within 24 hours. Anglers must report their harvest online through the Michigan Register Fish system, on the DNR Hunt Fish app, by calling 888-636-7778, or in person at any DNR Customer Service Center during normal state business hours with advanced notice of arrival.

Muskellunge harvest is limited to only 1 Muskellunge per angler per year (April 1 - March 31).

Catch-and-Immediate-Release (CIR) seasons: CIR fishing for Muskellunge is allowed all year on all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. All Muskellunge caught must be immediately returned to the water (see Definitions & Terms)x.

Special Muskellunge Regulations

50" Minimum Size Limit Waters

Antrim: L. Bellaire (including all tribs upstream to Bellaire Dam), Clam L. (including all tribs), Torch L. (including all tribs); Antrim & Grand Traverse: Elk L. (above Elk Rapids Dam, including all tribs); Antrim, Grand Traverse & Kalkaska: L. Skegemog (including all tribs); Barry & Eaton: Thornapple R. (including Thornapple L.) from the M-50 bridge downstream to the McCann road crossing and including Mud Cr. from Barger Rd. downstream to Thornapple L.; Iron: Chicagon L. (including all tribs); Lenawee: L. Hudson.

46" Minimum Size Limit Waters

Antrim: Beals L. (including all tribs), Benway L. (including all tribs), Ellsworth L. (including all tribs), Hanley L. (including all tribs), Scotts L. (including all tribs), Wilson L. (including all their tribs), Intermediate L. (from Bellaire Dam upstream, including all tribs); Antrim & Charlevoix: Saint Clair L. (including all tribs), Sixmile L. (including all tribs); Barry: Gun L. ; Cheboygan & Presque Isle: Black L. (including all tribs); Cheboygan: Black R. (including all tribs upstream to Kleber Dam), Mullett L., Indian R., Burt L., Cheboygan R.; Cheboygan & Emmet: Crooked R. (downstream from Crooked L. confluence); Chippewa: St. Marys R. (from compensating gates downstream to DeTour/ Drummond Island Ferry Docks); Kent: Grand R. (downstream from Sixth Street Dam); Murray L.; Ottawa: L. Macatawa, Grand R. (downstream from Sixth Street Dam); Muskegon: Mona L.

38" Minimum Size Limit Waters

Luce: Tahquamenon R. and tribs (upstream from Upper Falls); Van Buren: Round L.; Hillsdale: L. Diane.

Special Northern Pike Regulations

Waters with 24” – 34” protected slot limit (see p. 9) on Northern Pike and daily possession limit of two (2) Northern Pike

Alger: Grand Sable L. Allegan: Pine Cr. Flooding Barry: Gull L. Cass: Diamond and Magician Lks. Kalamazoo: Gull and Long Lks. (T3S, R10W, S17/18/19/30) Kent: Bass L. (T10N, R9W, S12/13/14), and Wabasis L. Luce: Blind Sucker Flooding and Bodi L. Montcalm: Townline and Sand L. Van Buren: Magician L.

Waters where up to five (5) Northern Pike of any size may be taken with only one 24" or greater allowed in the daily possession limit

Alcona: Badger L. and McCollum L. Alger: Echo, Nawakwa, Trout and 16 Mile Lks and Au Train Basin (Forest Lake). Antrim: Beals, Benway, Ellsworth, Hanley, Scotts, Six Mile, St. Clair, and Wilson Lks. Baraga: Vermilac (Worm) L. Benzie: Long L. Charlevoix: Deer, Fox, Geneserath, Six Mile, and St. Clair and Susan Lks. Cheboygan: Black L. and tributaries, Black R. from Alverno Dam upstream, Black R. (upstream of Tower Dam includes Tower Pond and tributaries), Paradise (Carp), Silver and Wildwood Lks. Chippewa: Frenchman and Trout (Carp) Lks. Clare: Eight Point L., L. George, Little Long L., Long L. and L. Thirteen Crawford: Big Creek Imp., River and Pickerel Lks. Delta: Carr, Chicago, Hamilton (McDonald), Lyman and Round (T43N, R20W, S1) Lks. and Escanaba R. (upstream from first dam at US-2) Dickinson: Hamilton L., L. Louise, L. Mary, Norway, Rock, and Sawyer L. Emmet: Crooked L., French Farm and O’Neal L. Floodings, Paradise (Carp) L. and Pickerel L. Gladwin: L. Lancelot, L. Lancer and Wiggins L. Gogebic: African (Big and Little), Chaney, Cisco, Clearwater, East Bay, Fishhawk, Indian, L. Gogebic, Lindsley, Morley, Poor, Record, Sunday L. and Thousand Island Lks. Grand Traverse: Boardman L. and L. Dubonnet. Houghton: Prickett Imp. and Rice L. Ionia: Long L., Iosco: Chain Lks. Iron: Bass L., Bone, Brule, Buck, Dawson, Indian, Iron, L. Mary, Paint L., Perch L. Railroad, Runkle, Shank L., Sunset and Winslow Lks., Paint R. Pond (downstream of Horserace Rapids and upstream of Frog Island), Hemlock Falls and Michigamme Reservoir, Michigamme Falls and Peavy Reservoir, L. St. Kathryn, Deer R., Net R., and Net R. Wide Waters. Kent: Scram L. Keweenaw: Schlatter L. Leelanau: Florence L. (S. Manitou Is.). Luce: East L., Kaks L. and Muskallonge L. Mackinac: East, Millecoquins and South Manistique Lks. Manistee: Bar and Chief Lks. Marquette: Bass (East), Cedar, Engman, Shag (Big) and Witch Lks., Dead R. Storage Basin, Middle Br. Escanaba R., Big West Br. Escanaba R. mainstream downstream to Boney Falls Basin (except Greenwood, Schweitzer and Cataract Reservoirs) Mason: Hackert (Crystal) L. Mecosta: Canadian Lks. (in T14N, R8W, S20,29,30; north of Pierce Rd. and south of Buchanan Rd. in S19), Haymarsh and Horsehead Lks. Menominee: Bass L., L. Ann, Shakey Lakes Chain (Baker, Beecher, East, Long, Resort and Spring Lks.), Westman Imp. Missaukee: Missaukee L. Montcalm: Crystal, Indian and Rainbow Lks. Montmorency: Robarge L., East and West Town Corner and Pug Lks., North and South Tomahawk Lks., Black R. and tribs. Muskegon: Big Blue L. Newaygo: Bills L., Diamond, Emerald, Kimball, Nichols, Pickerel, Ryerson (Long) and Sylvan Lks. Oceana: Crystal and Round (Wykof) Lks. Ogemaw: East Twin Lake, L. Ogemaw and Sage L. Osceola: McCoy L., L. Miramichi, Diamond, Rose and Wells Lks. Oscoda: McCollum L. and Pickerel L. Ontonagon: L. Gogebic. Otsego: Black R. and tribs. Presque Isle: Black L., Francis and Orchard Lks., Ocqueoc R. and tribs, Ocqueoc Watershed Lakes (Ann, Bullhead, Ella, Emma, Ferdelman, Gorman, Horseshoe, Lost, Louise, Lower and Upper Barnhart, May, McIntosh, Moore, Mud and Nettie, and Ocqueoc Lks.), Black R. and tribs and Tomahawk Flooding. Roscommon: L. St. Helen, Cut R. (from the river mouth at Houghton L. upstream to CO 100 just downstream of Higgins L.), L. James, Houghton L., Backus Cr. from the stream mouth upstream, including all tribs, Little Mud L. Flooding, Backus Cr. Flooding, and Backus L. Flooding. Schoolcraft: Boot, Colwell L., Crooked, Gulliver L., Kennedy, MacDonald L., Stanley and Thunder Lks., Worchester (Wolf) L. Seney National Wildlife Refuge Pools: contact Refuge office (906-586-9851). Wexford: Pleasant L. and Stone Ledge L.

Waters where up to 5 Northern Pike 24" or greater allowed in the daily possession limit

Lake St. Clair, St. Clair R., and Detroit R.

NOTE 5 - Yellow Perch

L. Erie: The daily possession limit for Yellow Perch is 50.

L. Gogebic (Gogebic and Ontonagon Cos.): The daily possession limit for Yellow Perch is 25 with no more than 5 Yellow Perch 12" or greater.

NOTE 6 - Sunfishes

Includes: Black and White Crappies, Bluegill, Green and hybrid sunfish, Longear, Pumpkinseed, Redear, Rock Bass and Warmouth.

NOTE 7 - Round Whitefish

In Lake Superior the daily possession limit shall include up to an additional ten (10) Round Whitefish.

NOTE 8 - Other Species

Those species not listed above and not considered trout or salmon or threatened and endangered species which are protected from harvest.

Eat Safe Fish – Michigan’s Eat Safe Fish Guide

There are many health benefits to eating fish. However, to get the most benefits, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends eating fish that are low in chemical contaminants. You can use the Eat Safe Fish Guide (ESF Guide) to find fish that have been tested for chemicals and are safe for everyone to eat.

MDHHS tests only the parts of the fish that you eat for chemicals. That’s the information used to make the guidelines in the ESF Guide.

The guidelines in the ESF Guide are safe for everyone to use - including pregnant women, children, and those with illnesses, like cancer or diabetes.

You can’t see or taste the chemicals that can cause health problems. The only way to know if they’re in your fish is to use the MDHHS ESF Guide. Get yours today!

Chemicals can be found in fish from anywhere in the world. The Eat Safe Fish Guide can help you find safer options when eating fish from Michigan.To get a free copy of the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish Guide and other helpful information about choosing and eating safe fish, visit the Eat Safe Fish website or call MDHHS at 1-800-648-6942.

Be aware of PFAS

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services releases Eat Safe Fish Guides annually in the spring and emergency advisories as needed. Fish across the state are tested for PFAS (perand polyfluoroalkyl substances). Additionally, they are tested for other chemicals such as mercury as all fish have some amount of mercury. As new guidelines are set as a result of elevated levels of PFAS, Michigan is releasing those advisories outside of the annual Eat Safe Fish Guides update. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information about PFAS fish results, visit the Michigan PFAS Response website.