2026 regulation year
Michigan Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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Last updated
Michigan walleye splits between inland (closed mid-March to last Saturday in April) and Great Lakes (year-round). Saginaw Bay, Lake Erie, and the Detroit River are the marquee walleye fisheries — among the best in the country during the spring run.
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Season
Inland: last Sat April – Mar 15. Great Lakes: year-round.
– Inland waters
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day (most waters)
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15 in minimum (most waters); 13 in on listed bays
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line on most waters
- Spearing legal in some inland and Great Lakes zones during open season
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Michigan waters:
Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron)
13 in minimum; 5 / day; one of the great walleye fisheries in North America
Detroit River
Border water with ON; reciprocal rules; spring run hot-spot
Lake Erie (MI waters)
Year-round; 5 / day; 15 in minimum statewide
Muskegon Lake
Inland regs: closed mid-March to opener; 15 in / 5 fish
Official source
Michigan Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Michiganfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
Visit official Michigan fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Walleye closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Michigan Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Michigan trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is walleye season in Michigan?
- Inland: last Sat April – Mar 15. Great Lakes: year-round. Those are the 2026 Michigan dates; always confirm against Michigan Department of Natural Resources before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
- What is the Michigan bag limit for walleye?
- The Michigan daily bag limit for walleye is 5 / day (most waters). The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size walleye can you keep in Michigan?
- The Michigan size rule for walleye is 15 in minimum (most waters); 13 in on listed bays.
- Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Michigan?
- Yes. Michigan requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Michigan license — compare resident and non-resident Michigan fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for walleye in Michigan?
- Yes. In Michigan, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line on most waters; Spearing legal in some inland and Great Lakes zones during open season.
- Do specific Michigan waters have different walleye rules?
- Yes. 4 named Michigan waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron), Detroit River, Lake Erie (MI waters), and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.