Michigan Inland Trout and Salmon Rules
Michigan inland trout and salmon rules: the six lake Types A to F, the four stream Types 1 to 4, size limits, tackle rules and the brook trout restoration waters.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Mackinaw City: ksblack99, Public domain
Michigan trout lake Types A to F
| Type | Lakes | Season | Tackle | Daily | Brook / brown, rainbow, splake / lake trout (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 60 | Last Sat. in April – Oct. 31 | All except minnows | 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater | 10 / 12 / 15 |
| B | 53 | Open all year | All | 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater | 10 / 12 / 15 |
| C | 26 | Open all year | All | 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater | 8 / 8 / 8 |
| D | 19 | Last Sat. in April – Oct. 31 | Flies only or artificial lures only (no live, dead or preserved bait or food on | 1 | 15 / 15 / 15 |
| E | 11 | Open all year | All | 3 | 15 / 15 / 15 |
| F | 16 | Open all year | All | 5 fish in any combination, but no more than 3 of any one species, except up to 5 salmon (C | 10 / 10 / 10 |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (Michigan DNR; rules run April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pages 42 to 47. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
Michigan trout stream Types 1 to 4
| Type | Streams | Fishing season | Possession season | Brook / brown min (in) | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | approx. 1,400 | Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 | Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 | 7 / 8 | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater |
| 2 | 13 | Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 | Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 | 10 / 12 | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater |
| 3 | 58 | Open all year | Open all year | 15 / 15 | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater |
| 4 | 128 | Open all year | Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon; open all year for oth | 7 / 10 | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater |
Michigan brook trout restoration areas
Brook trout possession season last Sat. in April – Sep. 30; 20-inch minimum on brook trout, lake trout and splake; daily limit 1 combined.
- Big Garlic River and tributaries (Marquette Co.)restoration water
- Big Huron River (Baraga and Marquette Cos.)restoration water
- Iron River (Marquette Co.)restoration water
- Little Huron River (Marquette Co.)restoration water
- Pilgrim River and tributaries (Houghton Co.)restoration water
- Portage/Torch Lake system (Houghton Co.)restoration water
- Ravine River (Baraga Co.)restoration water
- Silver River (Baraga Co.)restoration water
- Slate River (Baraga Co.)restoration water
- Salmon-Trout River (Marquette Co.; season last Sat. in April – Aug. 14)restoration water
How many Michigan waters carry each trout Type
| Type | Listed lakes | Listed stream sections |
|---|---|---|
| A | 60 | 0 |
| B | 55 | 0 |
| C | 26 | 0 |
| D | 18 | 0 |
| E | 11 | 0 |
| F | 16 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | 1 | 21 |
| 3 | 0 | 70 |
| 4 | 2 | 165 |
During closed season dates on inland trout and salmon waters, fishing is prohibited for all species.
A person shall not at any time take or possess an Arctic Grayling taken from any water over which the state has jurisdiction.
Michigan water in pictures
Photo: NPS, Public domain
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Photo: starscream1211, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Questions on Michigan’s Inland Trout and Salmon rules
What is a Type A trout lake in Michigan?
A designated trout lake open last sat. in april – oct. 31, all tackle except minnows, 5 fish with no more than 3 over 15 inches.
Which trout lake Type is flies or lures only?
Type D: flies only or artificial lures only (no live, dead or preserved bait or food on the water or shore), one fish a day, 15-inch minimum on trout.
When does Type 1 stream season open?
Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30, with possession over the same dates.
Are Type 3 streams open all year?
Yes; fishing and possession are open all year, with a 15-inch minimum on brook and brown trout.
How many Michigan streams are Type 1?
About 1,400 streams, per the digest.
Can I keep an Arctic grayling?
No; Arctic grayling may not be taken or possessed from any Michigan water.
What happens on a trout stream during its closed season?
All fishing is prohibited there, for every species.
Which waters are brook trout restoration areas?
Big Garlic River and tributaries (Marquette Co.), Big Huron River (Baraga and Marquette Cos.), Iron River (Marquette Co.) and Little Huron River (Marquette Co.) and 6 more.
More Michigan regulation pages
- Michigan Fishing License Pricesthe all-species license, daily license, combos and waivers
- 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