Up North Progressive

The first Michigan Free Fishing Weekend of 2020 will be this Saturday, February 15, through Monday, February 17, 2020. During this weekend, anyone in Michigan can fish without a license. All other fishing regulations still apply. Anyone wanting to use boating access sites at state parks during the Michigan Free Fishing Weekend can do so for free.

This coming weekend is also the time The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be upgrading their license and permit purchasing system. If you need to buy a permit or license for anything other than fishing, you need to apply for it now or wait until 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, when the new purchasing system goes live.

And since you can’t buy any fishing licenses until then, the DNR will allow an extra day of Michigan Free Fishing Weekend on Monday, February 17, 2020. State parks will also be free on Monday.

Many state parks have planned events happening during the Michigan Free Fishing Weekend. Winter festivals, ice fishing derbies and other events are already scheduled all over the state. You can check for dates and locations at by clicking this link.

Enjoy an extra day of free fishing this weekend during the DNR’s Michigan Free Fishing Weekend this February 15th through the 17th.