The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new fishing license season begins Monday, April 1, and that all 2012 fishing licenses expire on March 31.
Anglers have a choice of a variety of licenses and prices are unchanged from 2012.
Fishing license options include:
- 24-hour license (good for all species)
- 72-hour license (good for all species)
- Restricted license (good for the entire season for all species except trout, salmon, lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles or crustaceans)
- All-species license (good for the entire season for all species)
Visit the online version of the 2013 Fishing Guide for license fee details.
Fishing license fees fund a variety of activities, including fish management work on Michigan’s waters, habitat rehabilitation and protection, fish stocking, information distribution, education and outreach efforts to anglers and the public, according to a press release from the DNR.
The Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler fees, through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle, to manage Michigan’s fisheries.
According to the release, the purchase of a fishing license, even for someone who does not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized waters and fisheries.
There are three simple ways to purchase a fishing license in Michigan:
1. Visit a local license retailer or DNR Operations Service Center and make a purchase in person.
2. Use the E-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just visit www.mdnr-elicense.com to get started.
3. Visit the Mobile Fish website on your smartphone at www.mi.gov/fish to buy a 24-hour all-species fishing license. All that’s needed is the purchaser’s driver’s license number and a credit or debit card.
For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.
