Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 2026 state budget includes nearly $30 million in increased hunting, fishing, and watercraft registration fees, but the specifics of how much residents will be expected to pay remain unclear.
According to an article by Detroit Free Press, Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has not raised hunting and fishing license fees in over a decade. Under Whitmer’s proposal, fees for these licenses would increase by 30% to 50%, while watercraft registration fees would rise by 60%.
However, House Fiscal Agency analyst Austin Scott indicated that some of the increases may be closer to double the current rates, though exact figures have not been disclosed.
In previous years, the State Budget Office provided a schedule of proposed fee changes, but this year, despite multiple requests, no such schedule has been released.
DNR spokesperson Ed Golder stated that the fee details will be outlined when legislation is introduced.
Currently, Michigan collects over $60 million annually from hunting and fishing licenses. The proposed revenue increase would go toward staffing, expanding outdoor recreation access, maintaining state parks, and ensuring ecological stability, according to Whitmer’s budget proposal.
Republican lawmakers have pushed back against the fee hikes, arguing they contradict Whitmer’s commitment to easing financial burdens on residents.
Rep. Ken Borton, chair of the House appropriations subcommittee on the DNR budget, has vowed to block the increases, calling them punitive for outdoor enthusiasts.
“If DNR leadership continues this ridiculous crusade to hike fees across the board—an action that does nothing but punish those who love the outdoors—we are going to zero out their budget,” Borton said.
“This is not a threat. This will be their reality if the DNR does not commit to working with us to protect access to the outdoors,” Borton added.
Last year, a Democratic-led bill proposed raising hunting and fishing license fees to generate an additional $22 million, with increases tied to inflation.
That bill failed to pass and did not include watercraft fee hikes. The proposed changes would have raised small game hunting fees from $10 to $15 for residents, increased deer hunting fees from $20 to $30, and raised the cost of all-species fishing licenses from $25 to $38. The bill also sought to lower senior discounts, reducing them from 60% to 25%.
With Whitmer’s latest budget proposal appearing to build upon last year’s bill, questions remain about how much these increases will cost Michiganders.
The lack of details has fueled opposition, with critics arguing the state should find alternative ways to fund conservation and recreation programs without imposing higher fees on outdoor enthusiasts.
The proposal has significant implications for Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry. Higher costs could deter participation in hunting, fishing, and boating, affecting businesses and conservation efforts dependent on license revenue.
The outcome of legislative debates over these fees will play a crucial role in shaping access to Michigan’s natural resources for years to come.
