> As I understand it, each DLL needs a corresponding LIB file that contains symbol definition and location information.

That is correct.

> If, as you say, Mathworks doesn't ship LIB files

I didn't say that (and I'm pretty sure it does).

> So if I don't link directly to DLLs, don't I at least a LIB file to link against?

I think you're misinterpreting what I said. You do need the .lib files - but you don't need the .dll files.