Fishing regulations
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See the fishing guide for current fishing rules and regulations. The 2023 Fishing Guide is in effect until March 31, 2024. For a full list of regulations and legal descriptions, see the Fisheries Orders.
Maps have been developed to assist you in identifying inland trout waters and the regulations associated with each waterbody type. These maps should be used along with the current Fishing Guide.
Michigan bag limits for all four waterbodies are now the same and are updated each year on May 1 and run through the following April. Please see the 2023 walleye sport fishing regulations PDF for a map and full explanation of the regulations.
Below are the 2023 regulations at a glance:
Certain fish species are now required to be registered when harvested. Currently, lake sturgeon and muskellunge have mandatory reporting requirements. If you harvest a lake sturgeon or muskellunge, you must report it within 24 hours.
You must register your harvest online or by phone. Harvest registration can NOT be done at fish hatcheries, DNR field offices or customer service centers. *Exception: sturgeon harvested during the Black Lake sturgeon season, see below.
Lake sturgeon harvested at Black Lake must be registered immediately on-site with DNR personnel. Instructions will be given when you register for the fishery and obtain a flag (see Black Lake section in the Fishing Guide).
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If you harvest a lake sturgeon or muskellunge, you must report it within 24 hours. *Exception