1. The taking of reptiles for commercial purposes is prohibited
1. An all-species fishing license is required to take reptiles and amphibians for personal use.
2. It is unlawful to take the North American wood, Eastern box, Blanding's turtle and Spotted turtle.
3. All reptiles and amphibians taken for personal use shall not be bought, sold or offered for sale.
4. Snapping Turtles and Softshells may only be taken July 15-Sept. 15. The daily bag limit is 2 in combination (no more than 1 of either
species) and possession limit is 4 total in combination (no more than 2 of either species). Snappers must have a minimum SCL of 13".
5. All other unprotected turtles may be taken all year with a daily bag limit of 2 in combination and no more than 1 of any one turtle
species and a possession limit of 4 total in combination and no more than 2 of any one turtle species
6. Reptiles may be taken only by hand, trap, seines up to 12 x 4 feet overall dimension, hand net, or hook-and-line. Maximum number of
turtle traps is 3. Reptiles shall not be taken with a firearm (including spring, air, or gas), bow and arrow, or crossbow.
7. Reptile eggs may not be disturbed or removed from the wild
Blanding’s Turtle Emydoidea blandingii
Common Map Turtle Graptemys geographica
Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus
Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina
Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina
Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera spinifera
Midland Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta marginata
Red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans
Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata
Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta
NATIVE SPECIES
1. It is unlawful to possess the North American wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina), Blanding's turtle
(Emydoidea blandingii) and Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata).
2. There are no legal captive breeding programs for native reptiles or amphibians in Michigan, so in state purchase of any kind is also not
legal.
3. Maximum possession of unprotected wild caught turtles is 4 and no more than 2 of any individual species
4. Purchase and possession of native turtle species from legal sources outside Michigan is legal but buyer must have proof of purchase at all
times.
5. Any turtle that is purchased or intermingled with store bought turtles cannot be released to the wild under any circumstances.
6. Do not let any imported native turtles breed. Even with parental documentation of origin, there will be no documentation for the juveniles
produced. The offspring will be illegal and subject to confiscation and ticket. It is also illegal to release any offspring.
7. Michigan’s reptile laws do not mention non-native species other than to forbid importation or possession of any animals with the
reasonable potential to spread harmful disease or parasites. Any animals brought into the state are subject to a complete physical exam
from a licensed veterinarian. Based upon this examination, the state may determine the lawfulness of the animal's presence within
Michigan, as well as determining necessary housing, confinement and husbandry procedures.
COMMERCIAL
TAKING FROM THE WILD
POSSESSION
SUMMARY OF MICHIGAN TURTLE LAWS
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Nauti-Lass Ponds & Critters, Inc.
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