With nearly 11,000 inland lakes and 76,000 miles of rivers and streams, Michigan has a wealth of inland fishing opportunities, and inland fishing guides help anglers enjoy those abundant resources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers and guides that since March 1, 2024, inland fishing guides operating in the state are required to have an inland sport fishing guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams.

Great Lakes connecting waters refer to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes to each other: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Island).

Those interested should complete the following steps to apply for an inland sport fishing guide license:

1. Review the requirements and complete the questionnaire. The DNR will review responses to verify license requirements are met. Applicants will be notified via email within five business days with further instructions.
2. Upon receiving notification of DNR approval, buy the license online or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.

The resident license fee is $150, and the nonresident license fee is $300. The inland sport fishing guide license is valid for three years after the date it is issued. Captains who possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license will receive a license fee waiver.

*Please note that obtaining a license is a two-step process: DNR authorization and license purchase. You must complete the process after you receive approval by purchasing your license on the DNR e-license site or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. This is an electronic license only; you will not receive a physical license or stickers.

All licensed inland fishing guides will be listed on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. This list is updated monthly.

License requirements

To be eligible for an inland sport fishing guide license, an applicant must:

• Possess a valid certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and be able to provide a copy of the certification to the DNR upon request.
• Possess a valid, lawfully obtained Michigan driver’s license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, an official state personal identification card or a DNR-issued Sportcard.
• Have not been convicted of a felony or other violation listed within MCL 324.48714a(2)(c) in the last three years.
• Be eligible to purchase a license for the fish species targeted while acting as a sport fishing guide.
• Possess a valid state inland pilot’s license issued by the DNR or a valid captain’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, if intending to operate a watercraft while acting as a sport fishing guide. Navigability of waters will determine which license needed.
• Possess, while acting as a sport fishing guide, a basic first aid kit that includes, but is not limited to, all the following: tourniquet, chest seals, compression gauze, CPR mask, trauma shears, sterile eyewash, mylar emergency blanket, bandages, moleskin and tweezers.

Mandatory reporting

All licensed inland sport fishing guides must file an electronic report of their monthly catch activity for all trips that occurred on all waters, except those included in previously required reporting (Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters) and lakes or ponds with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Details about the reporting requirements are available on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. If you have questions regarding submitting monthly catch activity reports or how to obtain an inland sport fishing guide license, contact Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or DNR-Fish-Charter@Michigan.gov.

The reporting requirements for inland sport fishing guides are in addition to the existing requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Great Lakes and Great Lakes connecting waters reporting is also required. Reporting of Great Lakes/connecting waters is limited to boat trips. See the charter boat operator webpage for more information.