Michigan fishing licenses can be purchased online through the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources eLicense system. Anglers can also buy and store licenses using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. Most licenses are issued immediately after payment and may be saved digitally or printed.
For the 2026 fishing season, an annual all-species license costs $26 for Michigan residents, $76 for nonresidents, or $11 for qualifying Michigan seniors. Annual licenses include an additional $1 surcharge. A daily all-species license costs $10 per day for residents and nonresidents.
BuyFishingLicense.org is an independent informational guide. We are not affiliated with the Michigan DNR or any government agency and do not sell licenses. Complete purchases only through the official MDNR eLicense system or an authorized Michigan DNR license agent.
Michigan Fishing License Online: Quick Answer
| Online-License Question | Michigan Answer |
|---|---|
| Official purchase website | MDNR eLicense |
| Mobile purchase available? | Yes — Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app |
| License issued immediately? | Usually yes, after successful payment |
| Digital fishing license accepted? | Yes — store it in the Hunt Fish app or save the PDF |
| Paper copy required? | Generally no for a standard fishing license, but printing a backup is recommended |
| Minimum general license age | 17 |
| Resident annual price | $26 + $1 surcharge |
| Nonresident annual price | $76 + $1 surcharge |
| Daily price | $10 per day |
| License help phone | 517-284-6057 |
| License help email | [email protected] |
Where to Buy a Michigan Fishing License Online
The official online purchase portal is the Michigan DNR eLicense system. It may appear in search results as MDNR eLicense, Michigan DNR Licenses, Michigan fishing license login, or mdnr-elicense.com.
Use the official system to:
- Purchase a resident or nonresident fishing license.
- Purchase an annual or daily all-species license.
- Buy an optional voluntary youth license.
- Review previous license purchases.
- Reprint eligible current licenses.
- Manage auto-renew settings.
- Access the same account through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Start at the official portal rather than a search advertisement or unrelated third-party website. Michigan fishing licenses are issued by MDNR, and BuyFishingLicense.org does not process purchases or payments.
How to Buy a Michigan Fishing License Online
- Open the official MDNR eLicense website. Go directly to the Michigan DNR licensing portal.
- Sign in or create an account. Returning customers should use the account connected to their previous license history.
- Confirm your identity. Enter the requested name, date of birth, address, residency, and identification information.
- Choose the fishing-license category. Select fishing rather than hunting, ORV, snowmobile, or another outdoor product.
- Select the correct license. Choose resident, nonresident, senior, youth, daily, annual, or a qualifying combination license.
- Review the license dates. Verify that the license covers the dates of the planned trip.
- Review the total. Annual licenses may show the statutory $1 surcharge in the final amount.
- Enter payment information. Complete payment using an accepted credit or debit card.
- Save the confirmation. Keep the confirmation email and download the license PDF.
- Store or print the license. Add it to the Hunt Fish app, save it to the phone, and consider printing a backup copy.
Michigan DNR eLicense Login
Returning anglers should sign in to the same MDNR eLicense account used for previous purchases. Using the existing account helps keep license history, customer information, and auto-renew settings together.
- Go to the official MDNR eLicense sign-in page.
- Enter the username and password connected to the account.
- Use the Forgot Username or Forgot Password option when needed.
- Do not create a second account solely because the original username is forgotten.
- Contact MDNR licensing assistance if account recovery fails or duplicate records appear.
For account assistance, call 517-284-6057 or email [email protected].
How to Create a Michigan eLicense Account
First-time customers can create an account through MDNR eLicense. The exact screen labels may change, but the general process is:
- Select the sign-up or registration option.
- Create a username and password.
- Indicate whether a Michigan license has been purchased before.
- Enter the requested profile information.
- Confirm identity and residency details.
- Save the profile.
- Continue to the fishing-license catalog.
Enter information exactly as it appears on the identification being used. Differences in name spelling, birth date, address, or identification number can make it harder for the system to match an existing customer record.
What Information Do You Need to Buy Online?
Be prepared to provide information used to identify the license holder and determine residency. Depending on the customer record and license type, the system may request:
- Legal first and last name.
- Date of birth.
- Current mailing address.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- Michigan driver’s license or state identification information.
- Nonresident identification information.
- An existing Michigan DNR customer number or Sportcard number.
- Credit or debit card information.
A DNR Sportcard may be used when a customer does not have another accepted identification number. The Sportcard itself currently costs $1.
Which Michigan Fishing License Should You Select?
| Angler or Trip | Likely Online Selection | 2026 Price |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan resident age 17–64 fishing more than two days | Resident annual all-species | $26 + $1 surcharge |
| Michigan resident age 65+ or legally blind | Senior annual all-species | $11 + $1 surcharge |
| Nonresident making multiple trips | Nonresident annual all-species | $76 + $1 surcharge |
| Resident or nonresident fishing one day | Daily all-species | $10 per day |
| Angler age 16 or younger | No required license; voluntary youth license optional | $2 optional |
| Resident who also wants the included hunting products | Resident Hunt/Fish Combo | $76 + $1 surcharge |
| Nonresident who also wants the included hunting products | Nonresident Hunt/Fish Combo | $266 + $1 surcharge |
For a complete comparison, visit our Michigan fishing license cost guide. Visitors should also review the Michigan nonresident fishing license guide.
Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App
The official Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app provides a mobile way to purchase and store fishing licenses. The app is available for supported Apple and Android devices.
The app can be used to:
- Purchase fishing and hunting licenses.
- Store and display current licenses.
- Review license history.
- Access fishing regulations and guides.
- View maps and Michigan outdoor-recreation information.
- Manage eligible auto-renew settings.
- Receive Michigan DNR updates.
Can You Show a Michigan Fishing License on Your Phone?
Yes. A standard Michigan fishing license can be stored and displayed through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. An emailed or downloaded license PDF can also provide a convenient digital backup.
- Sign in to the app before leaving reliable cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
- Confirm the current license appears in the account.
- Keep the phone charged.
- Save the PDF locally rather than relying only on an email connection.
- Consider carrying a printed backup during remote trips.
- Be prepared to show the license when requested by a conservation officer.
Do You Need to Print the Online License?
A printed copy is generally not required when the valid fishing license can be displayed digitally. However, printing a backup remains useful because:
- Phones can lose power.
- Cellular service may be unavailable.
- An account may not load immediately.
- A saved paper copy is easy to keep with fishing gear.
- The original emailed PDF can be printed again later.
For replacement instructions, see how to reprint a Michigan fishing license.
When Is an Online Michigan Fishing License Valid?
A successfully issued license is generally available for use according to the start date and time shown on the license.
Annual License
The 2026 Michigan fishing license is valid through March 31, 2027. Michigan describes annual fishing licenses as running from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year. The annual license is not a rolling 365-day license based on the purchase date.
Daily License
The purchaser selects the date and time for a daily license to begin. It is valid for 24 hours. Review the chosen start date and time carefully before completing checkout.
Can You Buy a Michigan License in Advance?
Michigan allows the purchaser to select a start date and time for a daily fishing license. This is useful for planning a charter, vacation, or weekend trip in advance. The annual license follows the fixed Michigan license year.
Before paying, verify:
- The correct year is selected.
- The correct daily start date is shown.
- The correct time is shown.
- The license holder’s name is correct.
- Resident or nonresident status is correct.
Michigan Fishing License Auto-Renew
Michigan offers an auto-renew option for eligible online license purchases. The option may be selected during checkout or managed in the Auto Renewals section of the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
- Review the license selected for auto-renew.
- Keep the payment method current.
- Keep the email address current.
- Review the confirmation when the future license becomes available.
- Do not assume auto-renew succeeded without checking the account.
For more information about the yearly process, see our Michigan fishing license renewal guide.
How to Buy a Nonresident Michigan Fishing License Online
Nonresidents age 17 and older can buy a Michigan fishing license through the same MDNR eLicense system used by residents.
- Open MDNR eLicense.
- Create or access the license holder’s account.
- Enter accurate out-of-state identification and address information.
- Select a nonresident annual or daily all-species fishing license.
- Choose the correct daily start date and time when purchasing a trip license.
- Complete payment.
- Save the license to the phone or print a copy.
A nonresident annual all-species license costs $76 plus the $1 surcharge. A daily license costs $10 per day. The standard license covers recreational fishing on Michigan waters, including Michigan’s Great Lakes jurisdiction, subject to current species and water-specific regulations.
How to Purchase the Optional Youth License Online
Anglers age 16 and younger are not generally required to purchase a Michigan fishing license. Michigan offers an optional voluntary youth fishing license for $2.
An adult may need to assist with the online youth purchase. Michigan’s official instructions state that purchasing through MDNR eLicense requires an adult, a computer or tablet, and access to a credit or debit card.
- Create or access the appropriate account.
- Enter the youth angler’s information accurately.
- Select the voluntary youth fishing license.
- Complete the $2 purchase.
- Save the license or confirmation.
The voluntary license supports participation records but does not change the requirement to follow all fishing seasons, limits, and regulations.
How to Reprint an Online Michigan Fishing License
If the fishing license was purchased online, MDNR generally emails a PDF containing printable non-kill-tag licenses. Save this PDF after purchase.
- Search the email account used during purchase for the MDNR confirmation.
- Download and open the attached or linked license PDF.
- Print another copy.
- If the email cannot be found, sign in to MDNR eLicense.
- Open purchase history or current licenses.
- Select the available reprint option.
Online customers can generally reprint eligible non-kill-tag items without paying a new license fee. An authorized agent may charge a replacement fee for certain items.
Michigan eLicense Not Working: Troubleshooting
Forgotten Username or Password
Use the Forgot Username or Forgot Password option on the eLicense or Hunt Fish app sign-in screen. Check spam or junk folders for recovery emails.
Existing Customer Record Not Found
Enter the name, birth date, address, and identification information exactly as used for the previous license. Avoid creating multiple customer profiles when an older record may already exist.
Residency Is Incorrect
Confirm that the profile address and Michigan identification information are current. The online system must be able to validate resident eligibility before resident pricing is issued.
Payment Declined
Check the card number, expiration date, billing address, security code, and available balance. Do not repeatedly submit payment without first checking whether an order confirmation was created.
License Missing After Payment
Check the account’s purchase history and the email inbox used during checkout. Confirm that the transaction completed rather than remaining pending or failing.
Hunt Fish App Will Not Load the License
Confirm the app is updated, check the internet connection, sign out and back in, and verify that the app account matches the eLicense account used for purchase.
Still Unable to Complete the Purchase
Contact Michigan DNR licensing support at 517-284-6057 or [email protected]. Fishing licenses can also be purchased from an authorized retail license agent.
Common Online-Purchase Mistakes
- Buying from the wrong website: use official MDNR eLicense.
- Creating a duplicate account: recover the existing account first.
- Selecting the wrong residency: verify resident or nonresident status before paying.
- Choosing the wrong license year: review the displayed validity dates.
- Setting the wrong daily start time: a daily license is valid for the selected 24-hour period.
- Paying for a child who is exempt: the $2 youth license is optional for anglers under 17.
- Buying several daily licenses without comparing annual cost: three resident daily licenses cost more than the resident annual base price.
- Closing the page before saving the license: download the PDF and keep the email.
- Relying on cell service at the water: store the license locally or print a backup.
- Assuming a license overrides regulations: seasons, possession limits, and water-specific rules still apply.
Online License vs. Buying From an Agent
| Feature | Online / App | Retail Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Any time the system is available | Store business hours |
| License delivery | Immediate digital record or PDF | Printed at the counter |
| Account access | Purchase history and eligible reprints | May require identification at another agent |
| Best for | Most anglers comfortable purchasing online | Customers needing in-person assistance or paying through an agent |
| Backup | Save PDF, app record, and printed copy | Keep the printed copy safe |
Use the official Michigan DNR license-agent locator to find an authorized seller.
Does the Online License Cover Lake Michigan?
Yes. The annual or daily all-species fishing license purchased online covers recreational fishing in Michigan public waters, including Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes waters under Michigan jurisdiction. Michigan does not require a separate general Lake Michigan fishing license.
The license does not replace species-specific seasons, harvest rules, reporting requirements, or special permits that may apply to a particular fishing method or activity.
Official Michigan Online-License Resources
- Buy or access a license through MDNR eLicense
- Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app
- Official Michigan fishing-license information
- Find a Michigan DNR retail license agent
- Current Michigan fishing regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official website for a Michigan fishing license?
The official online purchase system is MDNR eLicense at mdnr-elicense.com, also linked through Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.
Can I buy a Michigan fishing license online?
Yes. Resident, nonresident, annual, daily, senior, youth, and qualifying combination licenses can be purchased through MDNR eLicense or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
How much is a Michigan fishing license online?
The 2026 resident annual license costs $26 plus a $1 surcharge. The nonresident annual license costs $76 plus a $1 surcharge. The senior resident annual license costs $11 plus a $1 surcharge, and a daily license costs $10 per day.
Can I show my Michigan fishing license on my phone?
Yes. A fishing license can be stored and displayed through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Saving the emailed PDF locally also provides a useful backup.
Do I need to print my online fishing license?
A paper copy is generally not required when a valid digital license can be displayed, but printing a backup is recommended for remote areas or a dead phone battery.
How do I log in to MDNR eLicense?
Open the official eLicense portal and enter the username and password connected to the account. Use the recovery links if either credential is forgotten.
How do I reset my Michigan eLicense password?
Select Forgot Password on the sign-in screen and follow the account-recovery instructions. Contact MDNR at 517-284-6057 if recovery is unsuccessful.
Can a nonresident buy a Michigan fishing license online?
Yes. Nonresidents can buy the $76 annual all-species license or a $10-per-day license through MDNR eLicense or the Hunt Fish app.
How quickly is an online Michigan fishing license issued?
The license is normally issued immediately after the transaction is completed successfully. Verify the license appears in the account and save the confirmation before fishing.
Can I buy a daily Michigan fishing license ahead of time?
Yes. The purchaser chooses the date and time when the daily license begins. It is valid for 24 hours from that selected start time.
Can I automatically renew a Michigan fishing license?
Eligible purchases can be enrolled in auto-renew during online checkout or managed through the Auto Renewals section of the Hunt Fish app.
Who should I contact if Michigan eLicense is not working?
Contact Michigan DNR licensing support at 517-284-6057 or [email protected].
Related Michigan Fishing License Guides
- Michigan fishing license overview
- Compare Michigan fishing license prices
- Michigan licenses for out-of-state anglers
- Renew a Michigan fishing license
- Print or replace a Michigan fishing license
- Michigan senior fishing license rules
About This Michigan Online-License Guide
This page explains how to purchase a Michigan fishing license through MDNR eLicense and the Hunt Fish app, including account creation, login recovery, license selection, digital proof, auto-renew, printing, and common checkout problems.
License fees, online-system screens, and purchasing procedures may change. Verify the final license type, validity dates, and checkout amount through the official Michigan DNR system before paying.
BuyFishingLicense.org is an independent informational website. We are not affiliated with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and do not sell fishing licenses.