Michigan State Record Fish: All 20 Official Records (2026)
All 20 verified Michigan record fish from the Michigan DNR. The heaviest is the Lake Sturgeon at 193 lb, caught in 1974 on Mullett Lake. The oldest standing record is the Largemouth Bass from 1934.
Michigan state fishing records — the largest individual fish of each species ever caught and verified in the state — are maintained by Michigan DNR. A record-eligible catch has to be weighed on a certified scale, documented, and verified before it stands.
A state record marks what a species is capable of in Michigan water, and the lakes and rivers where those records were set point to the specific waters that have historically produced trophy-class fish. Reading the record-setting waters alongside the LakeQuality grade rubric is a useful exercise: coldwater species like trout and salmon tend to come from the cleanest, highest-grade waters, while warm-water trophies can come from across the grade distribution.
Record Fish by Species
Michigan State Record Walleye
The Michigan state record walleye weighed 17 lb 3 oz and measured 35 inches, caught in 1951 from Pine River in Manistee County.
Michigan State Record Muskellunge
The Michigan state record muskellunge weighed 58 lb and measured 59 inches, caught in 2012 from Lake Bellaire in Antrim County. Lake Bellaire holds a Grade C water-quality score in our index.
Michigan State Record Northern Pike
The Michigan state record northern pike weighed 39 lb and measured 51.5 inches, caught in 1961 from Dodge Lake in Schoolcraft County.
Michigan State Record Largemouth Bass
The Michigan state record largemouth bass weighed 11 lb 15 oz and measured 27 inches, caught in 1934 from Big Pine Island Lake in Kent County. Big Pine Island Lake holds a Grade C water-quality score in our index.
Michigan State Record Smallmouth Bass
The Michigan state record smallmouth bass weighed 9 lb 15 oz and measured 23.1 inches, caught in 2016 from Indian River in Cheboygan County.
Michigan State Record Lake Trout
The Michigan state record lake trout weighed 61 lb 8 oz and measured 49 inches, caught in 1997 from Lake Superior.
All Michigan Records
| Species | Weight | Length | Year | Water | County | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 17 lb 3 oz | 35 in | 1951 | Pine River | Manistee | — |
| Sauger | 6 lb 9 oz | 25.5 in | 1976 | Torch Lake | Houghton | — |
| Northern Pike | 39 lb | 51.5 in | 1961 | Dodge Lake | Schoolcraft | — |
| Muskellunge | 58 lb | 59 in | 2012 | Lake Bellaire | Antrim | — |
| Largemouth Bass | 11 lb 15 oz | 27 in | 1934 | Big Pine Island Lake | Kent | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | 9 lb 15 oz | 23.1 in | 2016 | Indian River | Cheboygan | — |
| Lake Trout | 61 lb 8 oz | 49 in | 1997 | Lake Superior | — | — |
| Brown Trout | 41 lb 7 oz | 43.75 in | 2009 | Manistee River | Manistee | — |
| Rainbow Trout | 26 lb 8 oz | 39.5 in | 1975 | Lake Michigan | — | — |
| Brook Trout | 9 lb 8 oz | 28.1 in | 1996 | Clear Lake | Houghton | — |
| Chinook Salmon | 47 lb 14 oz | 47.5 in | 2021 | Lake Michigan | — | Luis Martinez |
| Coho Salmon | 30 lb 9 oz | 40 in | 1976 | Platte River | Benzie | — |
| Channel Catfish | 40 lb | 41.5 in | 1964 | Houghton Lake | Roscommon | — |
| Flathead Catfish | 52 lb | 46 in | 2014 | Barron Lake | Cass | — |
| Black Crappie | 4 lb 2 oz | — | 1947 | Lincoln Lake | Kent | — |
| Bluegill | 2 lb 12 oz | 13.75 in | 1983 | Vaughn Lake | Alcona | — |
| Yellow Perch | 3 lb 12 oz | 21 in | 1947 | Lake Independence | Marquette | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | 193 lb | 87 in | 1974 | Mullett Lake | Cheboygan | — |
| Common Carp | 61 lb 8 oz | 47.5 in | 1974 | Wolf Lake | Jackson | — |
| Bowfin | 14 lb | 35 in | 1981 | Crooked Lake | Livingston | — |
Record Waters We Grade
5 of Michigan's record fish came from lakes in our water-quality index. See how each one grades today:
Records by Decade
When each standing Michigan record was set — a rough map of the state's trophy-fishing history.
How Michigan Records Are Verified
Michigan DNR requires that record-eligible fish be weighed on a certified scale, photographed, and verified by a fisheries biologist; some species also recognize catch-and-release length records. Each agency sets its own application form and filing deadline — check the official Michigan DNR records page for the current rules before submitting a claim.
Targeting a record? Many of these fish came from waters with strong populations of trophy-class fish — see the best fishing lakes ranking and Michigan lake directory.