Michigan’s annual fishing guide outlines the rules and regulations that every angler should know.
This year’s guide takes note of four major regulation changes. Here is an overview of those changes as per the guide and which pages of the guide to find them on:
- Inland Stream Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Changes: Steelhead regulations on several Type 3 and 4 streams have been slightly modified from last year. Some streams no longer have a 20-inch minimum size limit (see pp. 42-65).
- New Single-Pointed Hook Restriction and Spearing Prohibition Waters: The ports of Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Whitehall/Montague are now under single-pointed hook regulations from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 (see pp. 30-31). Plus, on these same waters, it shall be unlawful to spear or possess spearing gear from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 (see pp. 16-17).
- Muskellunge Size Limit Regulation Changes: Thornapple Lake (Barry & Eaton) and Lake Hudson (Lenawee) are important Great Lakes strain Muskellunge broodstock lakes where new 50″ minimum size limit regulations have been implemented (see p.13).
- License Fees: Michigan’s fishing license fees may undergo changes after production of this digest. Check online for more information.
---> Meet the 17 invasive fish Michigan residents should know about
2025 Fishing Seasons
The new license season began on April 1. Make sure you’ve purchased a new fishing license for this season, click here to buy one if you haven’t yet.
---> 2025 Michigan fishing license are now available -- Here’s how to get one
The 2025 Michigan fishing guide also provides fishing season/dates for certain species. Those seasons are shown in the image below:
The 2025 Michigan fishing guide is available below
Love fishing? Click here for more coverage. Visit Michigan.gov/Fishing for more information from the state.
