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Frequently Asked Questions

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plusWhat is the largest bass caught in Michigan?

  • Michigan's state record for largemouth bass is a tie between William Maloney's 11 lb, 15.04 oz fish from Big Pine Island Lake (1934) and Jack Rorex's identical weight fish from the same location (1959), while the record for smallmouth bass is 9.98 pounds, caught by Robert Bruce Kraemer on the Indian River in 2016, breaking a nearly century-old record.

plusHow many different species are the Great Lakes?

  • The Great Lakes are home to around 177 different species of fish, including about 139 native species and at least 34 non-native ones, though numbers vary slightly by source, with some citing over 160 or 200 species in total.

plusHow many people fish the Great Lakes a year?

  • On average, roughly 1.8 million recreational anglers fish the Great Lakes annually, though numbers fluctuate, with older studies showing around 1.7-2.4 million anglers in U.S. waters and hundreds of thousands in Canadian waters, making it a major recreational fishery despite some declines over the past decades.

plusWhat are the most used fishing techniques for the Great Lakes?

  • The most used fishing techniques in the Great Lakes are trolling (for covering water for Walleye, Salmon), jigging (paddletails for various species), finesse fishing (drop shots for Smallmouth Bass), using planer boards to spread lines, and traditional bait fishing (nightcrawlers, minnows) for a wide range of fish, especially in harbors for Bass and near structures.

plusWhat are the current catch limits and size restrictions for popular species?

  • Great Lakes fishing rules vary by state and specific lake, but generally, popular species like Walleye often have 15" minimums and 6 fish limits (Lake Erie), while Lake Trout on Superior have size/possession rules like 1/34"+, and Salmon/Trout (Chinook, Coho, Steelhead) in Lake Michigan/Huron often require 10"+ with combined limits (e.g., 2-3 fish), with Bass usually 12-14" minimums and 5 fish limits. Always check your specific state's DNR guide (MI, NY, OH, etc.) as seasons and rules (like Lake Superior vs. Lake Erie) differ significantly.

plusWhat is the best time of year to target specific Great Lakes fish species?

  • The best Great Lakes fishing times vary by species, with Spring (March-May) great for spawning Steelhead, Coho, Brown Trout near shore; Summer (June-Aug) for active Salmon, Bass, Walleye in deeper/nearshore waters; Fall (Sept-Nov) for intense Chinook/Coho spawning runs in rivers; and Winter for Perch, Trout, Burbot through the ice in bays, making it a year-round fishery with distinct peaks for different fish.

plusHow do I safely handle the fish I plan to release?

  • To safely release fish, minimize air time by handling them with wet hands/gloves in a knotless net, support large fish horizontally, use dehooking tools (pliers/hemostats), avoid touching gills/eyes, and if stressed, revive them by facing into the current until they swim off strongly.

plusIs the fish caught in the Great Lakes safe to eat?

  • Yes, fish from the Great Lakes can be safe and healthy to eat, but it depends heavily on the lake, species, size, age, and preparation, as contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins are present, especially in larger, older fish, requiring you to follow state-specific consumption advisories for safe limits, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women

plusDo I need a fishing license to fish in the Great Lakes?

  • Yes, you absolutely need a fishing license to fish in the U.S. Great Lakes waters, and it must be from the specific state you're fishing in (e.g., Michigan, New York, Wisconsin), with requirements generally applying to anglers 17 and older, though licenses are easy to get online or via apps, offering daily, annual, and discounted options for residents and nonresidents, plus extra endorsements for species like trout/salmon.

plusHow much is the gear to fish the Great Lakes?

  • The cost for fishing gear in the Great Lakes varies widely depending on the type of fishing and quality of equipment, ranging from as little as $50 to $100 for a basic beginner's setup for shore fishing, to several hundred or even thousands of dollars for specialized boat trolling equipment.