LANSING, MI - A new state budget won’t mean higher hunting and fishing license fees — at least for now.

Lawmakers cut out spending proposals from the final state budget passed early on Friday morning, Oct. 3 that would have generated more money for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by increasing long-stagnant license fees paid by hunters and anglers. A measure to change state park passes was also stripped from the spending plan.

But a provision in the 2025-26 budget negotiated across party lines after a prolonged partisan stalemate still leaves open the possibility for license fees to rise and immediately boost DNR coffers in the future, conservation groups and proponents say, if the hikes can overcome staunch opposition from some House Republicans.

For now, there is “no im

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