02/11/2026
Enjoy Free Fishing Weekend February 14-15th!
Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan fishing, for FREE!
All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.
A Recreation Passport will NOT be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites during Free Fishing Weekends.
Going ice fishing during the February Free Fishing Weekend? Make sure to review our ice safety tips:
Your safety is your responsibility! There is not a reliable "inch-thickness" to determine if ice is safe.
You can test ice thickness and quality using a spud, needle bar or auger.
Strongest ice: clear with bluish tint.
Weak ice: ice formed by melted and refrozen snow. Appears milky.
Stay off ice with slush on top. Slush ice is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom.
A sudden cold front with low temperatures can create cracks within a half-day.
A warm spell may take several days to weaken ice, and cause the ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night.
Ice weakens with age.
If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, be extra cautious.
Stronger the current on the lake, the more likely the ice will give to open water.
Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.
Keep an eye out for dock bubblers or de-icers as the ice near these mechanisms will be unsafe. Always check the ice and be aware of your surroundings.
Photos Credit: AJ Hookset
