Michigan Mixed Bag: 2025 fishing licenses now on sale

Lansing — With Michigan’s new fishing license and regulation season beginning Tuesday, April 1, anglers wanting to hit the water will need to purchase a new fishing license. The 2025 fishing licenses are available for purchase now and are valid through March 31, 2026.

All anglers ages 17 and older are required to purchase a fishing license to fish in Michigan; these licenses are good for all species, though additional reporting requirements apply to some species and fishing methods. Anglers can purchase:

• An annual fishing license at $26 for Michigan residents or $76 for nonresidents (both carry an additional $1 surcharge).

• A daily fishing license for $10 per day.

• An optional youth fishing license, which is available for only $2 for anglers ages 16 and younger.

Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing through the app.

The 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online, along with other helpful resources, including fishing locations, “how-to” tips and species identification.

Visit the DNR website at Michigan.gov/Fishing to access these resources and the most up-to-date information. For fishing license questions, contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call (517) 284-6057.

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Ice Shanty Removal Reminder

Lansing — Ice anglers are reminded to remove their shanties from waters in the northern Lower and Upper Peninsula.

Ice shanties must be removed from lakes in the northern Lower Peninsula by March 15.

Shanties must be removed from lakes in the Upper Peninsula by March 31.

Traveling soon? Don’t Forget Your Boating Safety Certificate

Lansing — If you’re planning a spring break trip to a warmer destination and intend to rent a personal watercraft (such as a fishing boat or a Jet Ski) while there, don’t forget to take a copy of your Michigan boater safety certificate.

Many states require this documentation before allowing you to rent and/or operate a boat or personal watercraft. Misplaced your certificate? No worries, you can request a duplicate.

In Michigan, people born before July 1, 1996, may legally operate a boat without restrictions. Those born on or after that date may legally operate a motorized boat over 6 horsepower only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it in their possession. Anyone born on or after Dec. 31, 1978, must have a boater safety certificate to legally operate a personal watercraft.

If you need a safety certificate, you can take recreational safety education courses online.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety or email questions to DNR-LED-RecSafety@Michigan.gov.

Learn About Turkey Hunting and Steelhead Fishing at Upcoming Workshops

Cadillac, Mich. — Coming up this month at Mitchell State Park’s Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, you can learn about turkey hunting and steelhead fishing.

The March 15 Turkey Hunting Clinic will review spring turkey hunting rules and regulations, preferred habitat, hunting gear, calling techniques and more.

The two-day Steelhead Fishing Clinic, March 29-30, will include an indoor lesson on salmon identification, the history of steelhead in Michigan, equipment, how to cure spawn, casting techniques and various strategies for catching steelhead, including rig setup. The following morning will feature fishing on the Manistee River at the Tippy Dam, where instructors will teach anglers how to read the water, where to cast and, hopefully, how to land a steelhead!

An additional session of the steelhead fishing class is scheduled in April, along with walleye fishing and beekeeping clinics.

See a full schedule of classes at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

Birding Bonanza on Tap at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area

Rockwood, Mich. — Join MI Birds, an outreach program from Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR, later this month for a lunchtime webinar that explores the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area – one of southeast Michigan’s premier birding destinations.

From black-bellied plovers to glossy ibises, learn about the unique birds that inhabit this Wetland Wonder and Audubon Important Bird Area, as well as the conservation efforts to support them. Discover tips to enhance your visit to Pointe Mouillee and upcoming opportunities to tour the area.

Presenters for the “Demystifying Pointe Mouillee State Game Area” webinar include: Zach Cooley, DNR wildlife biologist; Ava Landgraf, conservation and research coordinator, Detroit Bird Alliance; Adam Shook, DNR wildlife technician.

The webinar starts at noon Friday, March 21. RSVP today and save your spot! Looking ahead, mark your calendar for two more webinars in the series: “Demystifying Portage Marsh State Wildlife Area” (May 9) and “Demystifying Paw Paw River State Game Area and the West Michigan Coastal Corridor” (July 17).

Contact Erin Ford at (313) 820-0809 to register and for more info.