Multiple Openers In Upper Peninsula Kick Fishing Season Into High Gear

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers to get ready for the fishing seasons opening Monday, May 15, in the Upper Peninsula. Seasons for walleye, northern pike and muskellunge for all Upper Peninsula waters including the Great Lakes, inland waters, and St. Marys River open that day.

Anglers currently can catch-and-immediate-release largemouth and smallmouth bass on most waters statewide. The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 27, except for Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open Saturday, June 17.

Please note, anglers fishing the Michigan/Wisconsin boundary waters, Big Island Lakes Complex, Sylvania Wilderness Area and Seney National Wildlife Refuge should check the 2016-2017 Fishing Guide for specific regulations governing those areas.

The new license season began April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new fishing license for this fishing season. The 2017 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2018.

Michigan’s current Fishing Guide (2016-2017) always is available online, as are the Inland Trout & Salmon Maps. View or download it at michigan.gov/fishingguide.