Michigan Fishing 2025: License Costs & New Rules

April 11, 2025

**Michigan Fishing 2025

The water was warm but flowing quickly as I carefully stepped into the river. I really enjoy summer fishing, since it’s warm enough that in most water I can simply step into the water with water shoes or a pair of old hiking boots. Wearing shorts or my fishing pants is so much more freeing than having to slip into waders to deal with the cooler days spring or fall.

Walking out into the water often gives you a better angle to drop your lure under a fallen tree or into an opening within the weeds growing in the shallow water. Having a better angle helps to see fish swimming in clearer streams and rivers, allowing you to cast just over them and pull the fly back over the one you’re trying to get to hook. There’s nothing so peaceful. I guess that’s why the old saying, “a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at the office.”

Getting started on a new year of fishing means making sure you know the rules of the season wherever you are hunting. There are many ways to check into this, from reading an article like this one to checking with the authority of a state’s Department of Natural Resources website. The point is you should always check to be sure you are fishing legally for the best experience wherever you choose to fish.

Michigan Fishing 2025 Season Kicks off Amid Price Debate

We’ve already begun the 2025 fishing season in Michigan, as April 1st starts the new year legally. That means that you’ll need to get your license and be sure to know the areas you plan to fish in to be sure you’re ready and have the right to take fish in the area you are fishing in. So, let’s drop our lures and try to sink our hook into the rules and changes for the coming Michigan Fishing season.

First, we need to know that time leading into this season was a bit more controversial than most years. Democratic Governor, Gretchen Witmer was pushing for raising fees for the 2025 fishing and hunting season. The proposed changes were estimated to raise more than $30 million for the state’s current $60 million revenue from fishing and hunting licenses. However, many in the house like Republican, Ken Borton, stood opposed to any raises. The proposed raise would give money to hire more staff for the Michigan DNR. However, Barton openly said, “If DNR leadership continues this ridiculous crusade to hike fees across the board — an action that does nothing but punish those who love the outdoors — we are going to zero out their budget,” (Eagon). The Detroit Free Press had an article in early March about this debate and the fact that with the new season quickly approaching they still hadn’t heard any clear guidelines for the coming year.

We’ve already begun the 2025 fishing season in Michigan, as April 1st started the new year for the fishing season. The debate may be returned next year, but the fishing price remains the same as last year. The start of a new season means that you’ll need to get your license and be sure to know the areas you plan to fish to be sure you’re ready and have the right to take fish in the area you are fishing. So, let’s drop our lures and try to sink our hook into the rules and changes for the coming Michigan Fishing season.

Michigan Fishing License Fees for 2025

If you need to get your license you can purchase it at a local retail, sporting goods store, or online at Michigan DNR Licensing: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info. The cost for a Michigan All Species Fishing License is $26, $11 for Seniors over 65 and those legally blind, and $76 for non-resident license for the year.

Michigan Fishing 2025 Dates to Remember – FREE Fishing Weekend is June 7-8 this year!

There are some specific species seasons for fishing in Michigan to allow for spawning. I remember trout season starts last Saturday of April, because back in high school I remember a number of the guys went out to the rivers after prom and spent the night fishing. Some of their girlfriends even joined them. It may sound funny, but I’ve never forgotten this, and I know for some of them fishing is the season start dates are still one of the most important times of year. So, what are the species season dates for fishing in Michigan this year?

• Fishing Season started April 1st
• Trout season opens Saturday April 26
• Walleye and Northern Pike (Lower Peninsula) April 26
• Walleye and Northern Pike (Upper Peninsula) May 15
• Bass Fishing for most locations opens May 25

Changes for the Fishing Season in Michigan in 2025

There are not too many major changes coming for fishing this year in Michigan, but it is good to know a few changes that are coming. There are some changes to steelhead and muskie size limits and few gear restrictions in certain areas. The best way to make sure you stay up to date on the year is to download the Michigan 2025 Fishing Regulation booklet, which can be downloaded from the Michigan DNR at the Michigan 2025 Fishing Regulations .

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Changes for Inland Specified Waters

The regulations for type 3 and 4 inland rivers and streams has changed for some that had formerly had 20-inch minimum requirement for steelhead. This regulation is no longer in place. There still remains a daily possession limit of 1. You will need to check specific rivers and streams size regulations on page 42-65 of the Michigan Fishing Regulations guide. 

Fall Single Point and Spearing Changes on the West Coast

Fall fishing in some areas along the west coast of Michigan has changed. November 1-30 there is a no spearing regulation and the use of Single-point hooks only the ports of Muskegon, Grand Haven, and Whitehall Montague.  

Muskie minimum size on Thornapple Lake (Barry and Eaton counties) and Lake Hudson (Lewnawee County) is now 50 inches.** **This is to help in sustaining healthier Great Lakes Muskellunge populations for the future.

Enjoy Michigan Fishing Soon

The great opportunities and variety of game fish are numerous in Michigan, so hopefully you can take advantage and get out and enjoy some time on a lake or stream soon. The weather doesn’t matter, since the cool spring streams can lead to some great trout fishing. Summer’s warm waters offer some great bass fishing. Even winter in Michigan offers some great places to ice fish and many people enjoy pulling perch or northern pike into their shanties in January or February. Enjoy your favorite spot and some fresh fish for dinner soon.

Photo by Dan Shipton

***Sources:

Egan, Paul. “Whitmer Proposed Outdoor License Hikes, but Left Michiganders Hunting for a Dollar Figure.” Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2025, www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/06/whitmer-increases-license-fees-hunting-fishing-boating/81638220007/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.