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(FOX 2) - The fishing season has returned to Michigan, ushering in another year of angling on the Great Lakes and throughout the state's inland rivers and water bodies.
The first thing anyone planning on fishing will need is a fishing license. But that's the easy part.
There are also several new regulations that anglers will need to keep in mind before heading out to their preferred fishing spot.
Michigan fishing season returns
The 2026 fishing season kicks off on April 1. If you haven't gotten your fishing license yet, tap this link on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website for steps to obtaining a permit to fish.
But that's not all to know for the next year. There are several major changes to specific catch limits for some species and in some waters. For more details on rules, check out the rule book here.
Lake Superior lake trout and splake possession limit change
Stannard Rock and Big Reef are now under new daily possession limits of one lake trout or splake (combined) in the areas. The minimum size for both is 15 inches.
Upper Peninsula walleye protected slot limit lakes
Lake Independence and Teal Lake in Marquette County are under new walleye regulations: the minimum size limit is 15 inches, and all walleye 18–23 inches, now protected from harvest, must be released. The daily possession limit is five walleye, with no more than one greater than 23 inches allowed per day.
New burbot daily possession limit
A possession limit of five per day has been placed on burbot.
Burbot fishing booms in Michigan, worrying researchers and anglers that the species is faltering
As overharvesting and invasive species threaten the coldwater fish, Michigan is proposing first-ever catch limits on burbot. Meanwhile, researchers are racing to better understand the relatively-unknown fish.
Bead fishing for trout and salmon
Use of a bead fished on the hook or pegged or attached to the line no further than 4 inches above the eye of a single-pointed hook has been defined as an artificial lure for clarification purposes.
Underwater spearfishing waters expansion
Additional Great Lakes waters are now open to this activity, with some exclusions. Monthly reporting is no longer required; however, anglers must still obtain a free license.
More Great Lakes spearfishing? Michigan anglers push for better opportunities
Those that spearfish in Michigan can only do so in limited parts of the Great Lakes and can only harvest three game fish. A looming decision in October could greatly expand opportunities.
Menominee River lake sturgeon fishing season
A new catch-and-immediate-release fishing opportunity for lake sturgeon has been added to the Menominee River (from Grand Rapids Dam to the Sturgeon Falls Dam) from the first Saturday in June through the first Sunday in March.
The Source: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources was cited for this story.