Updated: February 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 | Bear Lake, Muskegon County | 2015 |
| 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 County | 1996 |
| 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 Superior | 1997 |
| Trout, Rainbow 26.5 lbs | Lake Michigan | 1975 |
| 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 |
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.