Don't Forget to Buy Your Fishing Licenses

Michigan has many lakes to enjoy as the weather gets warmer. As you get out on the water, remember that the state's new fishing license season began on April 1.

Whether you are looking for weekend fishing or plan to go all season there a few different licenses to choose from. For those who want a weekend trip there are 24- and 72-hour all-species licenses.

There are also two different season long passes. There is a season long, all-species license. However, an additional (free) lake sturgeon tag is required of anglers who fish for lake sturgeon. The second is a season long restricted license. This license is good for all species except trout, salmon, lake sturgeon, lake herring, amphibians, reptiles or crustaceans. 

No matter what license type you choose, don't forget to make your purchase. The Fisheries Division depends solely on the money they receive through fishing licenses and the federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle. The dollars they receive from licenses 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 and much more.

Buying a fishing license can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan's prized freshwaters.

How to Buy a License

The DNR has made purchasing a license very simple, there are three different ways to do it:

1. Visit your local 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. Visit www.mdnr-elicense.com to get started

3. Visit the Mobile Fish website on your smartphone (www.mi.gov/fish) to buy a 24-hour all-species fishing license. All you need is your driver's license number and a credit or debit card.

For more information visit, www.michigan.gov/fishing

This information provided by State. Rep. Ken Goike's office.