Michigan Boundary Waters Rules
Michigan boundary water rules shared with Wisconsin and Indiana, the Sylvania Wilderness rules and the Ontario and Ohio walleye comparison on the St. Clair system and Lake Erie.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of St. Ignace: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Michigan and Wisconsin boundary water text
– Michigan and Wisconsin share several boundary waters and while the states strive to have consistent regulations across the border there are some discrepancies. Anglers are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves on fishing regulations for both states. Anglers with a valid Michigan or Wisconsin fishing license can fish either state’s boundary waters, however, anglers are required to adhere to the state-specific regulations based on their location while fishing these shared boundary waters. For example, anglers fishing in Michigan waters must follow Michigan's fishing regulations and anglers fishing within Wisconsin's portion of the boundary waters must follow Wisconsin's fishing regulations. The interstate boundary waters in which fishing is to be governed by the special regulations are: The L. Michigan waters between the breakwalls at the mouth of the Menominee R. beginning at an imaginary line drawn between the most lakeward point of each breakwall. Menominee R., its sloughs and impoundments (Menominee, Dickinson, Iron Cos., Michigan; Florence, Marinette Cos., Wisconsin); Brule R. (Iron Co., Michigan; Florence and Forest Cos., Wisconsin); Brule Island Impoundment, upstream to a line running east-west through the first island upstream from the junction of the Brule and Paint Rivers (Iron Co., Michigan; Florence Co., Wisconsin); Smoky L. (Iron Co., Michigan; Vilas Co., Wisconsin); Norwood L., Lac Vieux Desert, Crystal L., Mill L., Big Bateau L., Mamie L. (Cisco Chain), West Bay L. (Cisco Chain), Big L. (Cisco Chain), Crampton L., Plum L., Tenderfoot L., Roach L., Li
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations, page 24-25; retrieved October 22, 2026.
Michigan and Indiana boundary water text
Michigan-Indiana Border Lakes Residents of Indiana or Michigan may fish the whole lake, but must abide by the regulations in the waters they are fishing. Nonresident license holders (for either state) may only fish in the waters under which the jurisdiction applies for that nonresident license. Nonresidents would need Indiana and Michigan nonresident licenses to fish both sides. South Clear Lake – Indiana, St. Joseph Co./Michigan, Berrien Co., Indiana Lake – Indiana, Elkhart Co./ Michigan, Cass Co., Fish Lake – Indiana, La Grange Co./Michigan, St. Joseph Co., Lake George – Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Branch Co., Long Lake -Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Hillsdale Co. Sylvania Wilderness Area Regulations The following lakes in Gogebic Co. are subject to special regulations: Banks, East Bear, West Bear, Clark, Corey, Cub, Deer Island, Dorothy, Elsie, Fisher, Florence, Germain, Glimmerglass, Golden Silence, Hay, Helen, High, Honey, Jay, Johnston Springs, Katherine, Kerr, Liluis, Lois, Loon, Louise, Marsh, Moss, Mountain, Snap Jack, Trapper and Whitefish. NOTE: Crooked Lake is covered under general statewide fishing regulations (p. 12). Seasons: Statewide seasons apply for all Possession Limits fish species, except that no fishing shall be • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass must be allowed before the last Sat. in April or after returned immediately to the water without Oct. 31 of each year. injury and may not be possessed on the special Size Limits regulation lakes of the Sylvania Wilderness Area. • Lake Trout: minimum 30" • Northern Pike, Walleye and Lake Trout: not more than
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations, page 26; retrieved October 22, 2026.
Sylvania Wilderness Area rules in Michigan
Michigan-Indiana Border Lakes Residents of Indiana or Michigan may fish the whole lake, but must abide by the regulations in the waters they are fishing. Nonresident license holders (for either state) may only fish in the waters under which the jurisdiction applies for that nonresident license. Nonresidents would need Indiana and Michigan nonresident licenses to fish both sides. South Clear Lake – Indiana, St. Joseph Co./Michigan, Berrien Co., Indiana Lake – Indiana, Elkhart Co./ Michigan, Cass Co., Fish Lake – Indiana, La Grange Co./Michigan, St. Joseph Co., Lake George – Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Branch Co., Long Lake -Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Hillsdale Co. Sylvania Wilderness Area Regulations The following lakes in Gogebic Co. are subject to special regulations: Banks, East Bear, West Bear, Clark, Corey, Cub, Deer Island, Dorothy, Elsie, Fisher, Florence, Germain, Glimmerglass, Golden Silence, Hay, Helen, High, Honey, Jay, Johnston Springs, Katherine, Kerr, Liluis, Lois, Loon, Louise, Marsh, Moss, Mountain, Snap Jack, Trapper and Whitefish. NOTE: Crooked Lake is covered under general statewide fishing regulations (p. 12). Seasons: Statewide seasons apply for all Possession Limits fish species, except that no fishing shall be • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass must be allowed before the last Sat. in April or after returned immediately to the water without Oct. 31 of each year. injury and may not be possessed on the special Size Limits regulation lakes of the Sylvania Wilderness Area. • Lake Trout: minimum 30" • Northern Pike, Walleye and Lake Trout: not more than
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations, page 26; retrieved October 22, 2026.
Walleye rules across the Michigan line
| Water | Michigan | Ontario | Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair | Six fish per day; open all year; 15-inch minimum; three rods per angler | Six fish per day; open all year; no size limit; two lines per boat angler (Lake St. Clair) | |
| Detroit River | Six fish per day; open all year; 15-inch minimum; three rods per angler | Six fish per day; open all year; no size limit; one line per angler | |
| Lake Erie | Six fish per day; open all year; 15-inch minimum; three rods per angler | Six fish per day; open all year; no size limit; two lines per boat angler | Six fish per day; open all year; 15-inch minimum; three rods per angler |
Michigan water in pictures
Photo: Clockman26, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hgjudd, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: starscream1211, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
_June_2021.jpg){kind=link}
Questions on Michigan’s Boundary Waters rules
Does a Wisconsin license work on the Menominee River?
Yes; a valid Michigan or Wisconsin license covers either state’s boundary water, but you follow the rules of the side you fish.
Which waters count as Michigan-Wisconsin boundary water?
The Menominee River with its sloughs and impoundments, the mouth of the Menominee between the breakwalls, the Brule River, Brule Island Impoundment and listed lakes such as Smoky Lake.
Is there an Indiana boundary section?
Yes; the digest prints a Michigan-Indiana boundary water section, shown above.
Why does Sylvania Wilderness get its own rules?
The digest lists special rules for its lakes, separate from statewide inland rules.
Can I fish the Ontario side of Lake St. Clair on a Michigan license?
No; Ontario water needs an Ontario license and follows Ontario rules.
How many walleye may I keep on the Detroit River?
Six a day with a 15-inch minimum on the Michigan side, open all year.
Who sets the Ohio walleye limit on Lake Erie?
Ohio; the MDNR prints it beside Michigan’s for comparison.
Do boundary rules change by year?
The Lake Erie walleye limit is reset by May 1 each year; check the current digest.
More Michigan regulation pages
- Michigan Fishing License Pricesthe all-species license, daily license, combos and waivers
- Michigan Inland Trout and Salmon Ruleslake Types A to F and stream Types 1 to 4
- Michigan Great Lakes and Connecting Waters Ruleslake trout units, walleye, perch and the St. Clair system
- Michigan Sturgeon and Muskellunge Rulesharvest tags, registration and the 50-inch musky waters
- Michigan County Fishing Exceptionswater-by-water rules printed by county
- Michigan license and regulationsoverview, openers and 2026 changes