Important Dates and Regulations
- Trout and Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open: Saturday, April 26
- Walleye and northern pike possession seasons open: Thursday, May 15 (Upper Peninsula waters)
- Muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers opens: Saturday, June 7
- Catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters
- Possession season for bass opens statewide: Saturday, May 24 (except for on Lake St. Clair River, and the Detroit River, which open: Saturday, June 21)
Licenses and Requirements
- New license season began April 1
- The 2025 annual fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2026
- Anglers should purchase a new fishing license for this fishing season
- Contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057 for assistance
Upcoming Events
- Cole Swindell and Backstage Country! (April 21 – 25)
- Backstage Country Hosts for 4/13 – 4/19 (Parmalee)
- THREE-PEAT! Sunny 101.9 cleans up at the 2025 Michigan Broadcast Excellence Awards!
- Photo Gallery from the 30th Annual UP Boat, Sport and RV Show
- Backstage Country is throwing a Pardi and you’re invited! (April 7 – 11)
Licensing Assistance
“If you need any assistance with your fishing license, contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057. They will be happy to help you with your fishing license needs.”
Michigan Bridge
| Mackinac Bridge Reopening | Date and Time | Reopening Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mackinac Bridge | After record-setting 30-hour closure | Traffic is flowing once again after restrictions were lifted around 8:30 this morning |
Jon Pardi and Backstage Country
Jon Pardi is taking over host duties on Backstage Country next week ahead of the April 11th release of his latest album “Honkytonk Hollywood”; “All that glitters is gold”
Musings from the Mackinac Bridge
As traffic flows once again on the Mackinac Bridge, it’s worth remembering the record-setting 30-hour closure that brought the bridge to a standstill.
The bridge had been closed due to ice, and the restrictions were lifted after a team of engineers and maintenance personnel worked tirelessly to ensure the bridge was safe for traffic to resume.
Conclusion
Fishing season is upon us, and anglers should be sure to get their gear back out and start preparing for the upcoming fishing season.
