Michigan Fishing License Prices
Every Michigan fishing license item with its 2026 fee: resident, nonresident, senior, daily and youth all-species licenses, hunt and fish combos and fee waivers.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of St. Ignace: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
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Michigan fishing license items and fees
| Item | Fee | Residency | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual All-Species Fishing License | $26 | resident | License season (see note) | Includes a $1 surcharge (digest p.2). |
| Nonresident Annual All-Species Fishing License | $76 | nonresident | License season (see note) | Includes a $1 surcharge. |
| Senior Annual All-Species Fishing License | $11 | resident | License season (see note) | Includes a $1 surcharge. |
| Daily All-Species Fishing License | $10 | resident and nonresident | 24 hours; purchaser sets the start date and time | $10 per day. |
| Voluntary Youth All-Species Fishing License | $2 | resident and nonresident | License season | Includes a $1 surcharge. |
| Underwater Spearfishing | $0 | resident and nonresident | License season | No cost; a DNR Sportcard may be needed. |
| DNR Sportcard | $1 | resident and nonresident | ||
| Hunt/Fish Combo (Resident) | $76 | resident | License season | |
| Hunt/Fish Combo (Nonresident) | $266 | nonresident | License season | |
| Hunt/Fish Combo (Senior Resident) | $43 | resident | License season |
MDNR license info page and the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations, retrieved October 22, 2026.
What a Michigan all-species license covers
All fishing licenses are good for all species allowed for harvest; there is no separate trout or salmon stamp.
Anyone 17 or older fishing public waters in Michigan needs a fishing license; under 17 may fish without one but must follow all rules. A license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. An adult actively assisting a minor must have a license; an unlicensed adult may help land, unhook or net a fish, set up the rod, bait the hook, fix tangles and cast for a young angler who is actively participating.
A $1 surcharge is included in the resident annual, nonresident annual and senior annual fishing licenses and the combo hunt and fish licenses.
The Michigan license year, as printed
- The license season runs April 1 – March 31; anyone turning 17 during the season needs a license.2026 digest, page 2
- Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.DNR license web page
The DNR web page (March 1) and the digest (April 1) print different start dates; both kept as printed.
Michigan fee waivers and where licenses sell
- Fishing license fees are waived for Michigan residents who are veterans with 100% disability or active-duty military, and for individuals with a developmental disability as defined in MCL 330.1100a.fee waiver
- Online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, a license agent (Michigan.gov/DNRLicenseAgents) or a DNR Customer Service Center. License help desk 517-284-6057.where to buy
Michigan water in pictures
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Questions on Michigan’s Fishing License prices
How much is a resident Michigan fishing license?
$26 a year for the annual all-species license, a $1 surcharge included.
How much do nonresidents pay to fish in Michigan?
$76 for the annual all-species license, or $10 for one day.
Is there a senior fishing license in Michigan?
Yes, the senior annual all-species license costs $11.
What does the voluntary youth license cost?
$2; anglers under 17 need no license, so it is optional.
Is there a combined hunting and fishing license?
Yes: Hunt/Fish Combo (Resident) at $76, Hunt/Fish Combo (Nonresident) at $266 and Hunt/Fish Combo (Senior Resident) at $43.
Who fishes free of charge in Michigan?
Residents who are 100 percent disabled veterans or on active military duty, and people with a developmental disability as the law defines it.
How long does a Michigan daily license last?
24 hours from the date and time the buyer picks.
Does underwater spearfishing need a license?
The underwater spearfishing item costs nothing, though a DNR Sportcard may be needed.
More Michigan regulation pages
- 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 Boundary Waters RulesWisconsin, Indiana, Ontario, Ohio and Sylvania
- 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