The Variety of Fish Species Found in Michigan

Michigan is blessed with an abundance of freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams that support a wide diversity of fish species. From cold, deep lakes to warm shallow wetlands Michigan offers suitable habitat for over 150 different fish species. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular game and non-game fish that inhabit the state’s waterways.

Popular Game Fish Species

Some of the most sought-after fish by anglers in Michigan include

Walleye – Known for their golden green coloring and large, glassy eyes, walleye are masters of low-light feeding. They primarily eat small fish like perch, suckers, and minnows. Walleye fishing is extremely popular in the Great Lakes and many inland lakes.

Smallmouth Bass – Smallmouth bass thrive in cooler, cleaner lakes and rivers in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Their preference for rocky habitats earned them the nickname “bronzebacks.” They are aggressive predators that ambush small fish and crayfish.

Largemouth Bass – The state fish of Michigan, largemouth bass prefer weedy, warmer waters across the southern Lower Peninsula. They relentlessly pursue frogs, smaller fish, and even ducklings! Largemouth bass can grow to impressive sizes over 10 pounds.

Muskellunge – Known by anglers as “muskie,” this large, toothy pike species occurs mostly in northern Michigan lakes and Lake St. Clair. Muskies eat any fish they can capture with their strong jaws, even ducks and muskrats! They can reach lengths over 50 inches.

Brook Trout – One of three trout species native to Michigan, brook trout inhabit cold, clean rivers and streams in the Upper Peninsula. Their dark green backs are camouflaged with wavy, worm-like markings. Brookies feed on mayflies, caddisflies, and other stream insects.

Lake Trout – Michigan hosts outstanding lake trout fisheries in Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron. Lake trout thrive in deep, cold waters where they feed on smelts, whitefish, and other small prey. They can live over 20 years and exceed 40 pounds.

Other Notable Species

While not targeted by most anglers, there are many other interesting fish that play important roles in Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems:

Lake Sturgeon – A relic species dating back to the days of dinosaurs, lake sturgeon occur in many of Michigan’s Great Lakes tributaries. They spawn in rivers but spend most of their long lives (over 100 years!) in large lakes. Lake sturgeon feed on insect larvae, crayfish, mussels, and more.

Paddlefish – One of Michigan’s rarest fish, paddlefish have a long, spatula-like snout for filter feeding on plankton. They primarily live in Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Erie. Overfishing greatly reduced their numbers.

Bowfin – Often mistaken for a snake due to their elongated bodies and long dorsal fin, bowfin are ancient fish that can breathe both underwater and air. They ambush other fish, frogs, and crayfish in weedy backwaters and wetlands across Michigan.

Yellow Perch – Abundant in all of Michigan’s Great Lakes, yellow perch school up and stay on the move while feeding on small fish, invertebrates, and insects. Their tasty fillets make them an important sport and commercial fish.

Channel Catfish – Catfish are popular among Michigan anglers thanks to their willingness to bite baited hooks and aggressive feeding nature. Channel cats patrol river bottoms and lakeshores seeking dead fish, crayfish, and other prey to scavenge. They are outstanding fighters when hooked.

Creek Chub – Michigan’s streams are full of creek chubs, small minnows that gather in large schools around structure and vegetation. They frequently dash about in search of aquatic insects, larvae, and algae. Larger fish like trout and smallmouth bass prey on creek chubs.

With such variety, it’s no wonder fishing is a popular pastime in Michigan. The state ranks nationally for its diverse freshwater fishing opportunities. Whether casting for prized game fish or appreciating the ecology of non-game species, Michigan’s fish population has much to offer anglers and nature lovers alike.