Michigan State Record Coho Salmon: 30 lb 9 oz
The Michigan state record coho salmon weighed 30 lb 9 oz and measured 40 inches. It was caught in 1976 from Platte River in Benzie County, and the Michigan DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 50 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Platte River in Benzie County. We don't carry a water-quality grade for it: our index covers standing lakes with enough EPA Water Quality Portal samples to score, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Michigan lakes we do grade instead.
Coho Salmon records by state
Michigan ranks 2 of 6 among the states in our index for record coho salmon. New York holds the heaviest at 33 lb 7 oz, set in 1998.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 33 lb 7 oz | 1998 | Lake Ontario |
| 2 | Michigan (this page) | 30 lb 9 oz | 1976 | Platte River |
| 3 | Indiana | 20 lb 12 oz | 1972 | Lake Michigan |
| 4 | Illinois | 20 lb 9 oz | 1972 | Lake Michigan |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 15 lb 5 oz | 1985 | Lake Erie |
| 6 | Ohio | 13 lb 10 oz | 1982 | Huron River |
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
9 of Michigan's 20 standing records are heavier than the 30 lb 9 oz coho salmon — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 9 Michigan records have stood longer, the coho salmon mark dating to 1976.