With a Great Lakes shoreline that spans 3,000 miles and inland lakes that exceed 11,000, Michigan has a lot to offer the fisherman. Whether you are sitting on the shore casting a line or taking a boat down one of the many rivers and streams, there’s definitely a place for you to land a big one.
Depending on the season, you can catch northern pike, panfish, salmon, bass, walleye, and trout as well as other species of fish. Residents enjoy great fishing in Michigan, but out of towners flock to the area as well. In fact, the fishing is one of the great tourist draws for the state.
Michigan Fishing Seasons
There are Michigan fishing seasons for specific fish species such as bass and for specific areas such as Muskellunge. The regulations are very specific regarding possession limits and size limits. These regulations also vary according to the time of year. For instance, the season for northern pike and walleye in the Upper Peninsula Great Lakes is from May 15 through March 15 for 2017. Catch and keep bass fishing n Lake St. Clair is from June 18 to December 31 in 2016 and from June 17 to December 31 in 2017.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) publishes a Michigan Fishing Guide that includes not only a full calendar of the fishing seasons, but also links to the specific regulations as well.
Getting a Fishing License in Michigan
Anyone who is 17 years old or older and wants to fish in Michigan must have a state issued fishing license. Those younger than 17 do not need a license to fish, but they are still required to adhere to all of the state’s fishing regulations and rules.
A Michigan fishing license covers all species of fish although there are tags for specific things like sturgeon fishing. You can either purchase a fishing license on its own or you can get a combination hunt and fish license. There is a $1 surcharge for the combination licenses and certain fishing license. This money is used to provide educational resources to the public on hunting and fishing in the state. Licenses are available for residents as well as non-residents, and can be purchased for annual use, 72-hour use, or 24-hour use.
When you Catch a Marked and Tagged Fish
The DNR is tasked with evaluating fish stocks and in doing so will mark fish with a tag that is usually either on the fin or jaw. Anyone who catches a tagged fish is asked to record the tag number and other specific information including:
- Date caught
- Location caught
- Species
- Gender
- Weight
- Length
The person is then asked to enter the information on Michigan’s tagged fish website.
Where to Fish in Michigan
There are so many places to fish, finding a good place can be difficult. There are several websites that offer fishing maps and other helpful information for residents and tourists. The DNR also offers some excellent resources for fishing spots and places that are family friendly. So when you plan your Michigan vacation, make sure you leave some time for a little fishing.
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