Michigan boasts abundant inland waterway fishing resources, and numerous anglers enjoy this rich bounty with the assistance of inland waterway fishing guides. In this context, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that, effective March 1, 2025, all guides providing paid fishing guide services on state inland waters (inland lakes, rivers, and streams) will be required to obtain an Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide License.

Guide to License Acquisition Procedures and Requirements
Those wishing to obtain an Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide License must follow these steps:

Review Requirements and Complete Questionnaire: Thoroughly review the license requirements on the DNR website and complete and submit the questionnaire. The DNR will review the submitted information to verify eligibility for the license. Applicants will receive further instructions via email within five business days.
Purchase License: After receiving the DNR's approval notification, the license must be purchased online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. The resident license fee is $150, and the non-resident license fee is $300, valid for three years from the date of issuance. The license fee is waived for those holding a valid United States Coast Guard Captain's License.
Important Note: License acquisition is a two-step process involving DNR approval and license purchase. The procedure is only complete after purchasing the license on the DNR e-License site or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app after receiving DNR approval. This is an electronic license; no physical license or sticker will be issued.
A list of all licensed inland waterway fishing guides will be updated and posted monthly on the Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide webpage.

Mandatory Requirements for License Acquisition
To obtain an Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide License, all of the following requirements must be met:

Possess a valid American Red Cross or American Heart Association-issued First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and be able to provide a copy to the DNR upon request.
Possess a valid Michigan driver's license, official state identification card, or DNR-issued sportcard legally issued under the Michigan Vehicle Code.
Have no felony convictions or other violations as specified in MCL 324.48714a(2)(c) within the last three years.
Be eligible to purchase a valid fishing license for the target species while engaged in sport fishing guide activities.
Possess a valid State of Michigan Inland Operator's License issued by the DNR or a valid United States Coast Guard Captain's License if operating a vessel during sport fishing guide activities. The required license will be determined based on the navigability of the waterbody.
Possess a basic first aid kit while engaged in sport fishing guide activities, including a tourniquet, chest seal, compression bandage, CPR mask, trauma shears, sterile eyewash, Mylar emergency blanket, bandages, adhesive bandages, and tweezers.
Mandatory Reporting
All licensed inland waters sport fishing guides must submit a monthly electronic report of their fishing activity on all waters except those already subject to reporting requirements (the Great Lakes, connecting waters of the Great Lakes) and lakes or ponds less than five acres in surface area. Detailed information on reporting requirements can be found on the Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide webpage. Inquiries regarding monthly fishing activity reports or how to obtain an Inland Waters Sport Fishing Guide License can be directed to Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or [이메일 주소 삭제됨].

The reporting requirement for inland waters sport fishing guides is in addition to the existing reporting requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Reporting on the Great Lakes and connecting waters is also mandatory and is limited to boat trips. Refer to the Charter Boat Operators webpage for more details.

Background and Expected Effects
Michigan's mandatory Inland Waterway Fishing Guide License is seen as part of the state's efforts to sustainably manage its rich inland fish resources and enhance the safety and professionalism of fishing guide services. By including requirements such as First Aid and CPR certification and the possession of safety equipment in the licensing criteria, the safety of anglers is prioritized. It is also expected that enhancing the professionalism of guides will lead to a higher quality fishing experience. Furthermore, mandatory catch reporting is anticipated to provide an accurate understanding of inland fish resource status, contributing to the development of efficient resource management policies based on scientific data.

Through this measure, Michigan hopes to enable both anglers and guides to enjoy inland waterway fishing safely and pleasurably, contributing to the preservation of its abundant natural resources for future generations.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]