Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend returns -- this weekend -- June 12 and 13!

You can fish for free in Michigan this weekend -- June 13 and 14, 2020. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says all fishing license fees will be waived for two days. A Recreation Passport will not be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites during Free Fishing Weekend. This weekend (June 13-14) also is free ORV license and trail permit weekend in Michigan. Related: DNR: Camping in Michigan state parks, recreation areas will resume June 22

DETROIT – Enjoy three days of fishing this weekend even if you don’t have a fishing license. Michigan hosts two Free Fishing Weekends each year. This winter’s includes Saturday, Sunday and Monday because the Department of Natural Resources is moving to a new system, so fishing licenses can’t be purchased during that time. Additionally, Recreation Passports are not needed to enter state parks during the weekend and Monday. Normally, a yearly fishing license is required to catch fish in Michigan waters.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will launch a new license sales system Feb. 18. It will move to a “more technologically advanced system” for fishing and hunting licenses, snowmobile permits, hunting applications and off-road vehicles. The transition to the new system will begin Feb. 15 until noon Feb. 18. “We spent more than two years planning and developing a modern license sales system that offers up-to-date, convenient and cost-effective services for our customers and retail partners.”Customers are advised to purchase licenses and permits before Feb. 15. Features of the new license sales system include:A barcode scanner wand at retailer locations, which will allow license agents to speed up the sales process by quickly scanning customer driver’s licenses – including nonresidents – rather than typing in customer information.