michigan department of natural resources

Michigan expanded spearfishing access in 2026, opening more Great Lakes waters.

Michigan’s black bears are waking from hibernation and looking for easy food sources.

Drivers on I-75 in northern Michigan are urged to slow down due to elk sightings.

In 2025, cougar sightings in Michigan hit a record high with 30+ verified reports in the U.P., though repeat sightings of the same animals are possible.

Rather than deforestation, bald patches in northern Michigan forests are part of the DNR’s habitat plan: aspen cuttings to feed elk and deer in northeastern Lower Peninsula counties.

Michigan hunters and anglers face price hikes under Senate bills 276 & 277: base hunting, all-species fishing and new ‘complete license’ fees all rising, as the DNR targets more funding for conservation. Outdoor New

Deer in several Michigan counties have tested positive for a deadly viral disease.

In southern Michigan woodlands, golden oyster mushrooms - once kitchen curiosities - are now spreading in the wild. They may disrupt native fungi. The Michigan DNR urges public sightings to be reported.

An invasive tick known to spread deadly diseases—including viruses that cause brain swelling—has been confirmed in Michigan for the first time.

Every April, the lines blur between chaos and fun in Michigan's waters—discover the thrill of smelt dipping and its unique local charm.

Feral cougar cubs have been spotted in Michigan for the first time in a century, signaling a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts in the Upper Peninsula.

Chronic Wasting Disease, or 'Zombie Deer Disease,' has been confirmed in a 7-year-old deer in Osceola County, raising serious concerns for Michigan's deer population.