The Michigan nonresident fishing license cost in 2026 is $10 for 24 hours or $76 for the annual all-species license. Seven daily licenses cost $70. At eight paid 24-hour periods, the annual license costs $4 less than daily licenses.
Michigan Nonresident Fishing License Cost by Days
| Paid 24-hour periods | Daily total | Lower license cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10 | Daily by $66 |
| 3 | $30 | Daily by $46 |
| 7 | $70 | Daily by $6 |
| 8 | $80 | Annual by $4 |
| 10 | $100 | Annual by $24 |
Michigan law lists a $75 nonresident base fee and a $1 surcharge. The published annual price is $76. The daily rate is per selected 24-hour period. The 2026 annual license ends March 31, 2027.
Budget for Your Actual Fishing Hours
Count each period you expect to fish before you pay. A 24-hour license that starts Saturday at 2 p.m. can cover Saturday evening and Sunday morning before 2 p.m. If you plan to fish after that, account for another period.
Vehicle entry or launch costs depend on the site. Check whether the Michigan Recreation Passport applies. Rental and charter charges depend on the operator. On designated Michigan Free Fishing Weekends, the state waives the license fee while fishing regulations still apply.
Choose the License and Confirm the Timing
The DNR fee and purchase page lists daily and annual options. Count repeat trips within the same license year and confirm the date and time in your order. If your trip crosses the March license-year transition, confirm the correct year for each outing.
Use the nonresident rules and ID guide for buying and carrying a license. For a week-long itinerary, see the Michigan seven-day fishing comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
At how many fishing days is the Michigan nonresident annual license cheaper?
The $76 annual license costs less starting at eight paid $10 daily periods within that license year.
Does the published $76 annual fee already include the $1 surcharge?
Yes. The nonresident annual base fee is $75 and the state adds $1. Michigan DNR lists the annual fee as $76.
Is a Michigan daily fishing license tied to a calendar day?
The daily license lasts 24 hours from the start time you select, so it can cover fishing on two calendar days.
