Current Seasons (Check the Michigan Fishing Guide for exceptions & specifics)

• Catch-and-Immediate-Release for Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, All Waters: Open All Year
• Muskellunge, Lower Peninsula Great Lakes: Open All Year
• Muskellunge, Lower Peninsula Inland Waters; Upper Peninsula Inland Waters; Upper Peninsula Great Lakes; St. Marys River: Closes March 15, 2018
• Northern Pike & Muskellunge, spearing season (through the ice), various waters: Closes March 15, 2018
• Northern Pike & Walleye, Lower Peninsula Great Lakes; Lake St. Clair; St. Clair River; Detroit River: Open All Year
• Northern Pike & Walleye, Lower Peninsula Inland Waters; Upper Peninsula Inland Waters; Upper Peninsula Great Lakes; St. Marys River: Closes March 15, 2018
• Catfish, Cisco, Lake Whitefish, Smelt, Sunfishes, White Bass, Yellow Perch: Open All Year
• Yellow Perch, spearing season, Lake St. Clair: January 1 - February 28, 2018

Head out ice fishing!

Want to specifically fish for panfish and/or northern pike this winter? We've got a short video that can help to get you started. This video points out the clothing you might want to wear and the equipment you will likely need. Check it out!

Using an ice shanty?

If you're using an ice shanty on any waterbody in Michigan you must permanently affix your name and address, Michigan driver's license number, or DNR sportcard number on all sides in legible letters at least 2" in height. Tents or other temporary shelters must be removed from the ice each day and do not require identification.

Ice shanties on any waterbody in the Upper Peninsula must be removed by midnight on March 31, 2018.

Any shanties on waters in the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missuakee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon or Wexford need to be removed by midnight on March 15, 2018.

Shanties on any remaining counties in Michigan must be removed by midnight on March 1, 2018.

If you have a shanty on Lake St. Clair, you must remove it before sunset on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

After the above dates, a shanty must be removed at the end of each day's fishing activity.

Want even more information on ice fishing in Michigan?

Ice Safety Tips

• Discover the things you should know before you go onto the ice, including safety equipment you should take with you.

Fishing Technique: Ice Fishing, the Coolest sport around

• For many people, ice fishing is more popular than open water fishing. Why? Check out this article that describes the various techniques anglers use when ice fishing and the types of species you can target.

Michigan Fishing is Catching On booklet

• Page 11 of this family-friendly document gives you basic tips for going fishing - but additional content in this booklet helps with fish identification and cleaning and caring for your catch.