Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, James Sonoras fishing by the dam in Alpena. Sonoras said this is his first time out fishing this year.

ALPENA — Hunters in Michigan may pay more for their hunting and fishing licenses come fall.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, starting Oct. 1, suggests raising hunting license rates for resident and non-resident hunters.

The State Budget Office disclosed to the Detroit Free Press the following rates for license fees if the budget is approved:

∫ Base fee for small game hunting: from $11 to $17 for adults; from $6 to $10 for resident minors; and from $151 to $161 for non-residents.

∫ Combination hunting and fishing license: from $76 to $115 for residents and from $266 to $275 for nonresidents.

∫ Base hunting license for seniors: from $5 to $13.

∫ All-species fishing license: from $26 to $40 for residents; from $76 to $90 for nonresidents; $11 to $30 for seniors.

These are just some of the proposed price hikes.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the license fees in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are one of the biggest price hikes in Whitmer’s proposed budget.

The caveat is, however, that this budget has yet to be approved.

Amy Trotter, chief executive at Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), said that hunting licenses are a primary way conservation efforts are paid for in the DNR.

“It is somewhat unfair that hunters and anglers bear the brunt of resource management,” Trotter said.

According to the DNR website, only 15% of the DNR budget comes from state taxes. The other 85% comes from revenue streams such as those who take part in hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and other resource-based activities.

A statement from MUCC about license fees and DNR budgeting is as follows:

“Hunters, anglers and trappers are proud to currently contribute tens of millions of dollars in license revenue each year for funding fish and wildlife conservation in Michigan, representing the vast majority of the Game and Fish Protection Fund, but there is a need to expand this pool.

“Until this happens, license fees remain the single largest source of revenue supporting fish and wildlife management, habitat management and DNR law enforcement.

“MUCC remains dedicated to ensuring restricted license dollars are allocated for their intended purposes, and looking for creative and effective solutions to securing long term conservation funding, whatever the mechanism.”

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, had a differing opinion of license fees and how the DNR should be managed. The representative gave the following statement:

“Before the DNR can propose fee increases in good-faith, they need to prove how they’re going to improve the services they provide the public. Folks in Northeast Michigan and across our state aren’t happy with the DNR, nor should they be. I’m committed to considering every proposal that crosses my desk, but I’m not taking this one serious until the DNR realizes fee hikes aren’t an acceptable way to fix deep-rooted issues in the department.”

The proposal to increase license fees seems to draw divided opinions across the political spectrum. The fact remains, however, that license fees haven’t been adjusted to reflect rising inflation, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Therefore, lawmakers in Lansing have to decide whether revenue streams are still the best way to fund the DNR or they may have to get creative to reappropriate funds.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.