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Furbearers, hunted and trapped (2026-27)
River Otter Trapping in Michigan, 2026-27
Otter trapping opens Oct 25 in Unit A (Zone 1), Nov 1 in Unit B (Zone 2) and Nov 10 in Unit C (Zone 3), and closes Mar 31, 2027 everywhere. 2026-27 otter dates, limits and public properties in Michigan.
Photo: ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0)
Otter are trapped by residents only, five a season combined, with no more than four from Unit B and three from Unit C. The kill tags are free, and every otter is registered; trapping deadline April 10, 2027; incidental 1 deadline May 5, 2027. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Benzie, Leelanau); Seney NWR closed to otter (contact refuge for beaver).
Otter rules in one list
- When and how: Trapping Oct. 25/Nov. 1/Nov. 10-March 31 by unit.
- Bag in short: 5 per resident (max 4 Unit B, 3 Unit C).
- Also: Residents only; registration.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
Every 2026-27 otter segment in Michigan
From the first otter opener to the last close there are 3 segments; the dashed line marks today.
| Segment | Zone or unit | Legal method | First day | Last day | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping | Unit A (Zone 1) | Trapping | Oct 25, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 158 | |
| Trapping | Unit B (Zone 2) | Trapping | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 151 | |
| Trapping | Unit C (Zone 3) | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 142 |
What the DNR attaches to the otter dates
- Residents only; free kill tags; 5 per season combined (max 4 from Unit B, 3 from Unit C); mandatory registration.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Michigan limits on river otters
Otter bag and possession rules as printed, followed by the eLicense prices.
Otter (detail)
Five per resident; max 4 from Unit B and 3 from Unit C.
River Otter licenses and stamps
| Purchase | Adult resident | Senior | Youth | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
| Fur harvester license | $15 | $6 | $15 | $15 |
| Incidental tag | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Otter kill tag | Free | Free | Free | – |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
River Otter field rules from the DNR
Reporting, hunting hours, hunter orange, bait and the other DNR rules that apply to river otters.
Report and register
Bobcat, fisher, marten and otter must be presented for registration/sealing by unit deadlines.
When to hunt
No legal-light table applies to otter trapping: the WCO hours rule exempts trapping.
Sunday rule
Seasons for river otters include Sundays statewide, subject to posted township rules.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summaries: harvest reporting, MCL 324.40116 hunter orange, baiting, hunting hours tables, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours by zone · Michigan hunting laws.
River Otter units, quotas and lines
River Otter zones at a glance.
| Area | Season | Opens | Closes | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit A (Zone 1) | Trapping | Oct 25, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 158 |
| Unit B (Zone 2) | Trapping | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 151 |
| Unit C (Zone 3) | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 142 |
fur harvester summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Public land for otter trapping
Property records group river otters under furbearers; shown here are the 4 properties with that heading or the species itself.
| Area | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State Forest System | State Forest | Alcona, Alger, Alpena… | 3,954,811 |
| Ottawa National Forest | National Forest | Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton… | 1,000,750 |
| Huron-Manistee National Forest | National Forest | Alcona, Crawford, Iosco… | 979,067 |
| Hiawatha National Forest | National Forest | Alger, Chippewa, Delta… | 899,499 |
Properties and their game lists from DNR, USFS, FWS and NPS pages and the DNR land layers, retrieved 2026-10-22. Michigan public land directory · County guides.
Michigan trapping law for river otters
Weapon rules change with the season, so match the row to the otter segment you hunt.
| Season | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Trapping | Foothold, body-gripping/conibear, cage traps for all furbearers; snares for beaver only; colony traps for muskrat only; nonlethal cable restraints for coyote/fox Jan. 1-March 1. | Setting traps before the season opens; see trap-type table and trap-check rules. |
Michigan method rules for river otters
Buying and selling game
Game may not be bought or sold except as allowed by WCO 4.3.
Live wild animals
Possessing live game or protected animals taken from the wild requires a DNR permit.
Michigan regulation summaries, the Wildlife Conservation Order and MCL part 401, checked October 22, 2026.
River Otter questions and answers
How many otters can I trap in Michigan?
Five per resident; max 4 from Unit B and 3 from Unit C.
Where is otter trapping closed?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Benzie, Leelanau); Seney NWR closed to otter (contact refuge for beaver).
Where is public ground for river otters in Michigan?
4 properties qualify, among them Michigan State Forest System, Ottawa National Forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest. Part of that list comes from a group label in the property record.
Which licenses does a otter hunter carry?
Resident items for river otters: Base license ($11); Fur harvester license ($15); Incidental tag (Free); Otter kill tag (Free).
What happens after I take a otter in Michigan?
Bobcat, fisher, marten and otter must be presented for registration/sealing by unit deadlines.
How early may otter trappers start?
No legal-light table applies to otter trapping: the WCO hours rule exempts trapping.
What equipment is legal for river otters?
Trapping: Foothold, body-gripping/conibear, cage traps for all furbearers; snares for beaver only; colony traps for muskrat only; nonlethal cable restraints for coyote/fox Jan. 1-March 1.
Can otter trappers go out on a Sunday in Michigan?
Seasons for river otters include Sundays statewide, subject to posted township rules.
Is there a daily or season cap on river otters?
Five per resident; max 4 from Unit B and 3 from Unit C.
What is the 2026-27 calendar for river otters in Michigan?
River otters: trapping Oct 25, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 (Unit A (Zone 1)); trapping Nov 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 (Unit B (Zone 2)); trapping Nov 10, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 (Unit C (Zone 3)).
River Otter: final checks
Pair this otter guide with the property page for the game area or forest you plan to hunt; closures and refuges are listed there.
Other photos on this page: cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0).