How Do You Get a Non-Resident Fishing License in Michigan?
To buy a non-resident fishing license for Michigan, navigate to the state’s Department of Natural Resources website at Michigan.gov/dnr, click on Fishing on the menu at the left of the screen and select Buy a License. After paying with a major credit card, the state emails the license as a PDF document to print or display on a mobile device. Non-residents must also buy a DNR Sportcard for identification purposes.
A non-resident fishing license for the season is $68, as of December 2015. The state also sells a 24-hour fishing license for $10 and a 72-hour fishing license for $30. A non-resident hunt/fish combo license, which also allows fisherman to hunt small game, is $266. A DNR Sportcard costs an addition $1. Fishing licenses are valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.
Two days, twice a year, Michigan offers a free fishing weekend on which all license fees are waived. During this event both residents and non-residents can fish on both inland waters and the Great Lakes for all species of fish. Find dates and relevant information at Michigan.gov/freefishing.
The Department of Natural Resources website offers a Michigan Fishing Guide as a free PDF. In addition to fees and regulations, the guide includes terminology, maps, state records, photos of species and important bulletins.
