Michigan Mixed Bag: New Michigan fishing licenses required April 1

Lansing — Michigan’s new fishing license and regulation season begins April 1, and fishing licenses for 2026 are available for purchase. The new licenses are valid through March 31, 2027.

All anglers ages 17 and older are required to purchase a fishing license to fish public waters 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 senior annual fishing license at $11 for Michigan residents 65 and older or residents who are legally blind (with additional $1 surcharge).

• A daily fishing license at $10 per day for Michigan residents and nonresidents 17 and older (valid for 24 hours).

• An optional youth fishing license, which is available at just $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.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MICHIGAN OUTDOOR NEWS:

Low quota, tagged sturgeons part of Michigan’s Black Lake success

Survey shows that folks in Michigan favor hunting more than they do hunters

Ralph Loos: Michigan hunters and anglers will pay the price of ‘doing,’ as we always do

Michigan Tech Seeking Burbot Angler Input

Lansing — Researchers at Michigan Technological University are partnering with DNR’s Fisheries Division to conduct a survey and interviews to gain information about angler awareness, values, and preferences for recreational burbot fishing within the Lake Superior basin. This information can help fisheries managers balance sustainable harvest and angler satisfaction.

The Lake Superior basin in Michigan includes parts of Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Marquette, Alger, Luce and Chippewa counties. Anyone who fishes for burbot in the Lake Superior basin is invited to participate in the survey or sign up for an interview with the research team.

For more information, contact Greyson Wolf with the MTU Department of Biological Sciences at greysonw@mtu.edu.

Salmon in the Classroom Applications for Fall 2026 Open Until April 15

Lansing — Salmon in the Classroom (SIC), which teaches students about everything salmon, from the life history of fish to the importance of the Great Lakes and fishing to Michigan’s traditions and ways of life, has opened its application process to educators interested in the program starting this fall.

The educational effort ties the state’s fish and fisheries right to communities where kids live – and it includes the raising of actual salmon.

“Students get invested in and excited about their local rivers and streams, knowing that the smolts they released will return to the very same spot in two to three years to spawn,” the program notes in its invitation for teacher applications.

To be accepted into the SIC program, educators must commit to teaching their students about the Great Lakes ecosystem and fisheries management by raising salmon for almost the entire school year. New teachers are treated to a free day-long professional development opportunity and provided with a full program manual, as well as a classroom activity guide and materials kit.

Classroom teachers from public, private or charter schools teaching third-12th grades are eligible to apply.

For more information, visit the Salmon in the Classroom web page at Michigan.gov/sic.

Program Seeks Summer Mobile Boat Wash Crew

East Lansing — Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan State University is leading a multi-year program to teach boaters how to reduce this risk of invasive species by properly inspecting and cleaning their equipment. Crews are being assembled by the program to conduct mobile boat washes.

People interested in taking part this summer can help protect Michigan waters by teaching boaters about invasive species, giving demonstrations on proper boat cleaning, and conducting invasive species boater surveys to the public.

Those interested can apply now Careers.MSU.edu. The positions fall under job No. 1113728.

Opinions Sought on Hayes State Park General

Lansing — The Michigan DNR is asking for public input on a new general management plan for this state park in southern Michigan. Visitors, community members, stakeholders and others interested in sharing their opinions, ideas and experiences are encouraged to participate in an online survey, available through April 3. Links to both the online survey and the project website are available at Michigan.gov/Hayes.

The DNR uses general management plans to define a long-range planning and management strategy that protects a park’s natural and cultural resources, while also addressing recreation and educational needs and opportunities.

“The public’s input is critical to the development of the draft general management plan, which will be informed by the valuable insights gathered during the public input process,” said Debbie Jensen, DNR park management plan administrator. “The DNR will also host a public meeting this summer, providing opportunities for people to review and provide comments on the new draft plan.”

For more about the public survey or proposed plan, contact Debbie Jensen at DNR-PRD-Planning@Michigan.gov or 517-230-6837.