Brace Yourself; Michigan DNR Seeks Big Fee Increases

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Published: 18 December 2024

By Louie Stout

Sportsmen who fish and hunt in Michigan may be faced with license increases across the board for 2026.

A bill in the Michigan Legislature, House Bill 6229, calls for increases in every fee sportsmen pay for fishing and hunting. The bill is sponsored by three Southeast Michigan Democrats, Amos O’Neal, Laurie Pohutsky and Penelope Tsernoglou. It’s been assigned to the Natural Resources Committee.

Michigan hasn’t had a license increase for 10 years and the proposed increases would lift DNR revenue by $22 million.

Also, rather than allow the fees set for a period of time, the plan calls for the licenses to adjust annually for inflation.

Here’s what it would cost you the first year if approved:
Fishing

All species fishing licenses would rise from $25 to $38 for residents and $78 to $88 for non-residents. It also would lower the required age for a fishing license from 17 to 16.

A resident combined fishing and hunting license would go from $75 to $113.

There are several other increases as well as new fees. Non-resident 24-hour licenses would rise from $10 to $15. A 72-hour license jumps from $30 to $60.

Resident seniors currently receive a 60 percent discount off regular fishing licenses. If the bill passes, that discount drops to 25 percent.
Hunting

Increase in small game hunting would rise from $10 to $15 for residents, $5 to $8 for resident minors and $150 to $163 for non-residents.

Also, wild turkey would go from $15 to $23, deer from $20 to $30, waterfowl from $12 to $18, pheasant from $25 to $38, bear from $25 to $38 and elk from $100 to $150.

In another move that would affect sportsmen, House Bill 6230 would raise boat registration fees across the board.

For instance, the fee for a motorboat or pontoon between 21 and 28 feet long would increase 30% to $149.50 from $115, and then rise every three years to $198.57 by 2034.

Clear H20 Tackle, D&R Sports Host Special Events This Weekend

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Published: 12 December 2024

By Louie Stout

You have a couple of opportunities to break the winter boredom this weekend.

Clear H20 Tackle near Edwardsburg, Mich. will celebrate its Winter Open House today and Saturday with special pricing on ice tackle and summertime gear.

On Saturday, Saturday, Santa Claus AND reindeer will visit D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo store between 9 a.m. and noon. Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa at no charge. Cocoa will be available and there will be a coloring contest for the kids.

With ice fishing just around the corner, anglers will find full exhibits and bargains for the latest ice fishing gear at both stores.

Clear H2o will conduct drawings for open water and ice fishing prizes today and tomorrow. Store hours for the open house are 7-7 today and 6-4 Saturday. For more info, call 269-414-4131.

For information on Santa Day at D&R Sports Center, call the store, 269-372-2277.