Michigan regulations
Lake Sturgeon Regulations in Michigan 2026
Michigan lake sturgeon 2026 open seasons vary by 13 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR.
Rules (28)
Michigan statewideClosed
- Status
- Closed
statewide, except for specific regulated seasons on certain waters
All Boundary Waters
- Possession
- 1 fish/year
harvest limited to 1 per angler per year (April 1 - March 31)
Black L.Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
Sturgeon fishing prohibited except under special season
Black Lake (Cheboygan & Presque Isle Cos.)Open
- Status
- Permitted
All harvested Lake Sturgeon must be reported immediately to DNR on site.
Menominee R.
- Min size
- 60"
60" minimum during Sep 1-30 harvest window on Menominee River; mandatory registration. Verified against MI/WI boundary water regulations 2026-05-08.
Menominee RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Min size
- 50"
Lake Sturgeon less than 50" must be released immediately.
Menominee River, From Grand Rapids Dam Downstream To The End Of The Breakwalls In Green BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
catch-and-immediate release Sturgeon fishing only
St. Clair RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 60"
Lake Sturgeon less than 60" must be released immediately.
Sturgeon Bay (Lake Michigan)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Slot min
- 42"
- Slot max
- 50"
Lake Sturgeon less than 42" and greater than 50" must be released immediately.
Other Michigan fish regulations
Other regulated species in Michigan with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)117 rules
- Lake Trout86 rules
- Walleye82 rules
- Northern Pike79 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)11 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)9 rules
- Smallmouth Bass8 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)7 rules
- Largemouth Bass7 rules
- Channel Catfish4 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)2 rules
- Yellow Perch2 rules
Also known as
Lake Sturgeon is also called Sturgeon. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Michigan.
Frequently asked questions
When is Lake Sturgeon season in Michigan?
Lake Sturgeon season in Michigan runs from Jul 16 to Mar 15 per DNR.
What is the size limit for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan?
Minimum size for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan is 60 inches in Menominee R., per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan?
Daily bag for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan varies by zone; see the table above.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/lake-sturgeon-regulations
- https://www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/michigan-wisconsin-boundary-water-regulations
- https://www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/exceptions-to-general-regulations-by-county
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch.