Michigan Rainbow Trout Record 2026: 26 lb 8 oz
The Michigan state record rainbow trout weighed 26 lb 8 oz and measured 39.5 inches. It was caught in 1975 from Lake Michigan, and the Michigan DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 51 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Lake Michigan. 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.
Rainbow Trout records by state
Michigan ranks 4 of 12 among the states in our index for record rainbow trout. Illinois holds the heaviest at 31 lb 6 oz, set in 1993.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 31 lb 6 oz | 1993 | Lake Michigan |
| 2 | New York | 31 lb 3 oz | 2004 | Lake Ontario |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 27 lb 2 oz | 1997 | Lake Michigan |
| 4 | Michigan (this page) | 26 lb 8 oz | 1975 | Lake Michigan |
| 5 | Ohio | 21 lb 5 oz | 2010 | Lake Erie |
| 6 | North Dakota | 21 lb 4 oz | 1998 | Missouri River |
| 7 | Iowa | 19 lb 8 oz | 1984 | French Creek |
| 8 | South Dakota | 19 lb 4 oz | 1980 | Oahe Tailwaters |
| 9 | Indiana | 18 lb 8 oz | 1988 | Clear Lake |
| 10 | Missouri | 18 lb 1 oz | 2004 | Roaring River |
| 11 | Minnesota | 17 lb 6 oz | 1980 | Knife River |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 15 lb 6 oz | 1986 | Jordan Creek |
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
10 of Michigan's 20 standing records are heavier than the 26 lb 8 oz rainbow trout — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 8 Michigan records have stood longer, the rainbow trout mark dating to 1975.
Michigan lakes that hold rainbow trout
14 Michigan lakes are documented to hold rainbow trout, ranked here on nutrient and algae readings.