Michigan Fishing License

The DNR (Michigan Department of Natural Resources) announced earlier in 2022 that they will now issue a new fishing license for residents in the state. Let’s see Michigan Fishing License.

Michigan Fishing License

This license will be available and legible for use from April 1st, 2022, to March 31st, 2023. 

Michigan is blessed with 11,000 inland lakes with 2,700 inland lakes mapped out as available to residents with the new fishing license. However, one must get a fishing license before embarking on any activity of the sort.

How To Get A Fishing Licence? 

Getting a fishing license in Michigan is quite a straightforward process. You will need to visit the DNR website, where you will be greeted with the interface to purchase licenses and permits. However, before you proceed to register, you will need to ensure you meet the requirements.

What Are The Requirements For A Michigan Fishing License? 

The license is available to residents who are 17 years old and above. However, If the angler is under the age of 17, they may be allowed to fish but are still subjected to adhere to the 2022 fishing rules and regulations that can be found. 

If an adult is to assist an underage angler fish, they must also have a license. According to Roscommon County, any resident caught fishing without a license will be fined $195 while a non-resident angler will be charged $245.

What Is The Pricing Range For A Fishing License? 

Every year, the Michigan Fishing License is renewed and all licenses only last a year, beginning from March 1st of the released year till March 31st of the following year. 

The Michigan Fishing License released its updated fishing license in March 2022 and purchases have been going on since April 1st. It is advisable that every angler renewing their license also requests the fishing guide as there may have been new rules and regulations included when planning to fish. 

The Following Are The Pricing Range For The Michigan Fishing License:

  • Sportcard – $1.00
  • Annual Residents Fishing For All Species – $26. 
  • Annual Non-residents Fishing For All Species – $76. 
  • Daily Fishing For All Species By Residents/Non-residents – $10 per day. 
  • Underwater spearfishing For Residents/Non-residents – This is free. However, there are terms and conditions applied which can be found in the latest fishing guide. 
  • Annual Senior/Elderly Fishing For All Species – $11 (This pertains to 65+ old legally blind Michigan resident anglers).
  • Annual Youth Fishing For All Species – $2 (This belongs to either resident or non-resident youths who are under the age of 17).

Where Are The Best Lakes To Fish In Michigan?

As aforementioned, there are 11,000 inland lakes in Michigan. Although, there are only 2,700 maps of these lakes available to the local anglers who wish to fish. 

Select a preferred County that is made available on the map, and you can be on your way to having an incredible time fishing either solo, with family, or with friends.

However, there are specific boating rules in different counties which state the type of boats to be used; when fishing in their lakes. 

To further browse the listed lakes available for fishing. Michigan lakes are nationally known as the destination for fishes like perch, salmon, bass, chinook salmon, walleye, and trout. 

The following are six lakes that are the best spots for anglers to fish in Michigan:

  1. Lake Michigan: The name speaks for itself. It will not be a complete fishing experience without ever visiting Lake Michigan. Home to over 185 sea creatures that include; the chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead. 
  1. Lake Charlevoix: While you have the choice of either fishing by boat or onshore, the latter is most favorable because you are most likely to reel in some interesting fish species like rock bass, catfish, walleye, bluegill, crappie, and smallmouth bass. 
  1. Saginaw Bay: Towards the north of Detroit lies one of the largest lakes in the United States. The Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron has a fishing pier along with a floating platform on the bay. 

Saginaw Bay is quite large. Here, you will find fishes like; perch, sunfish, pike, bass, and bullhead.

  1. Lake Leelanau: Recognized to be Michigan’s best inland lake for walleye fishing at 1.5 miles wide and 20 miles long, Lake Leelanau offers one of the best fishing experiences as you can rent a boat and go into deeper waters to catch numerous fishes like trout, perch, pike, bass, and sunfish. 
  1. Pere Marquette River: The Pere Marquette River is a highly recommended lake for anglers who prefer fly fishing. The river is known for the large amounts of brown trout and salmon fishes caught there regularly.
  1. Lake St. Clair: A freshwater lake teeming with fishes like muskie, largemouth bass, carp, crappie, bullhead, smallmouth bass, and sunfish. 

Lake St. Clair boasts of other outdoor activities besides fishing like; water skiing and swimming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fishing is an exciting activity for people who find interest in it. However, when you consider some dangers that come with this activity and the possibilities of extinction for some sea creatures, it is then imperative to regulate this activity.