Michigan Brook Trout Record 2026: 9 lb 8 oz
The Michigan state record brook trout weighed 9 lb 8 oz and measured 28.1 inches. It was caught in 1996 from Clear Lake in Houghton County, and the Michigan DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 30 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Clear Lake in Houghton County. It has no water-quality readings on this site: the lake index covers standing lakes with EPA Water Quality Portal samples, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Michigan lakes with readings instead.
Brook Trout records by state
Michigan ranks 2 of 6 among the states in our index for record brook trout. Wisconsin holds the heaviest at 9 lb 15 oz, set in 1944.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | 9 lb 15 oz | 1944 | Prairie River |
| 2 | Michigan (this page) | 9 lb 8 oz | 1996 | Clear Lake |
| 3 | Iowa | 7 lb | 1996 | Fountain Springs |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 7 lb | 1996 | Fishing Creek |
| 5 | Minnesota | 6 lb 5.6 oz | 2004 | Lake Superior tributary |
| 6 | New York | 6 lb 3 oz | 2025 | St. Regis Canoe Area |
Each figure comes from that state's own fisheries agency. Agencies differ on what they certify — some recognize catch-and-release length records alongside weight — so treat this as a comparison of standing certified weights, not a single national list.
How it ranks inside Michigan
15 of Michigan's 20 standing records are heavier than the 9 lb 8 oz brook trout — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 13 Michigan records have stood longer, the brook trout mark dating to 1996.
Michigan lakes that hold brook trout
11 Michigan lakes are documented to hold brook trout, ranked here on nutrient and algae readings.