Michigan Game Fish Records

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Updated: June 2024

The following table lists Michigan’s current fishing records in a simplified table.

If you think you’ve just caught a fish that would top any of the records below, be sure to check the resources I’ve linked below.

Michigan Fishing Records

Bass, Largemouth (tie)
11.94 lbs
Big Pine Island Lake,
Kent County
1934
Bass, Largemouth (tie)
11.94 lbs
Alcona Dam Pond,
Oscoda County
1959
Bass, Rock
3.62 lbs
Holloway Reservoir,
Genesee County
1965
Bass, Smallmouth
9.98 lbs
Indian River,
Cheboygan County
2016
Bass, White
6.44 lbs
Saginaw Bay,
Arenac County
1989
Bass, White Hybrid
10.75 lbs
Kalamazoo River,
Allegan County
1996
Bowfin
14 lbs
Crooked Lake,
Livingston County
1981
Buffalo, Bigmouth
33 lbs
Lake Erie,
Monroe County
2020
Buffalo, Black
54.3 lbs
Grand River,
Ottawa County
2018
Burbot
18.25 lbs
St. Marys River -Munuscong Bay,
Chippewa County
1980
Carp, Common
61.5 lbs
Wolf Lake,
Jackson County
1974
Catfish, Black Bullhead
3.44 lbs
Magician Lake,
Cass County
1999
Catfish, Brown Bullhead
3.77 lbs
Alcona Dam Pond,
Alcona County
2014
Catfish, Yellow Bullhead
3.6 lbs
Lake Sixteen,
Oakland County
2003
Catfish, Channel (tie)
40 lbs
Houghton Lake,
Roscommon County
1964
Catfish, Channel (tie)
40 lbs
Houghton Lake,
Roscommon County
1960
Catfish, Flathead
53.35 lbs
Saint Joseph River,
Berrien County
2022
Cisco (Lake Herring)
6.36 lbs
Lake Ottawa,
Iron County
2017
Crappie, Black
4.12 lbs
Lincoln Lake,
Kent County
1947
Crappie, White
3.39 lbs
Stony Creek Lake,
Macomb County
2000
Drum, Freshwater
28.61 lbs
Muskegon Lake,
Muskegon County
2015
Eel, American
7.44 lbs
Lake St. Clair,
Macomb County
1990
Gar, Longnose
18 lbs
Williamsville Lake,
Livingston County
1995
Mooneye
1.69 lbs
Lake St. Clair,
Saint Clair County
1995
Muskellunge, Great Lakes
58 lbs
Lake Bellaire,
Antrim County
2012
Muskellunge, Northern
49.75 lbs
Thornapple Lake,
Barry County
2000
Musky, Tiger
51.19 lbs
Lac Vieux Desert,
Gogebic County
1919
Perch, White
2 lbs, 5.92 oz
Lake St. Clair,
St. Clair County
2024
Perch, Yellow
3.75 lbs
Lake Independence,
Marquette County
1947
Pike, Northern
39 lbs
Dodge Lake,
Schoolcraft County
1961
Pumpkinseed
2.15 lbs
Lake Nepessing,
Lapeer County
2009
Quillback
9.98 lbs
Muskegon River,
Mecosta County
2020
Salmon, Atlantic
32.62 lbs
Lake Michigan,
Mason County
1981
Salmon, Chinook
47.86 lbs
Lake Michigan,
Mason County
2021
Salmon, Coho
30.56 lbs
Platte River,
Benzie County
1976
Salmon, Kokanee
1.94 lbs
Clinton River,
Oakland County
1978
Salmon, Pink
8.56 lbs
Carp River,
Mackinac County
1987
Sauger
6.56 lbs
Torch Lake,
Houghton County
1976
Shad, Gizzard
4.12 lbs
Lake St. Clair,
Saint Clair County
1996
Smelt
Not Listed
Houghton County1996
Splake
17.5 lbs
Lake Michigan-Big Bay De Noc,
Delta County
2004
Sturgeon, Lake
193 lbs
Mullett Lake,
Cheboygan County
1974
Sucker, Longnose
6.88 lbs
Saint Joseph River,
Berrien County
1986
Sucker, Northern Hog
2.54 lbs
Saint Joseph River,
Berrien County
1994
Sucker, Redhorse
12.89 lbs
Muskegon River-Croton Pond,
Newaygo County
1991
Sucker, White
7.19 lbs
Au Sable River,
Iosco County
1982
Sunfish, Bluegill
2.75 lbs
Vaughn Lake,
Alcona County
1983
Sunfish, Green
1.53 lbs
Kirkwood Lake,
Oakland County
1990
Sunfish, Hybrid
1.8 lbs
Lake Anne,
Berrien County
2018
Sunfish, Hybrid
1.44 lbs
Arbutus Lake,
Grand Traverse County
1988
Sunfish, Redear
2.36 lbs
Lyon Lake,
Calhoun County
2010
Trout, Brook
9.5 lbs
Clear Lake,
Houghton County
1996
Trout, Brown
41.45 lbs
Manistee River,
Manistee County
2009
Trout, Lake
61.5 lbs
Lake Superior1997
Trout, Rainbow
26.5 lbs
Lake Michigan1975
Walleye
17.19 lbs
Pine River,
Manistee County
1951
Warmouth
1.38 lbs
Great Bear Lake,
Van Buren County
2001
Whitefish, Lake
14.28 lbs
Lake Superior,
Ontonagon County
1993
Whitefish, Round (Menominee)
4.06 lbs
Lake Michigan,
Ottawa County
1992
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Setting a Michigan Fishing Record

To claim a new fishing record in Michigan, your first step is to get the DNR’s State Record Entry Application and follow the process laid out there.