2026 Fishing Rankings: Michigan Among Top States

Already plotting your summer 2026 fishing trips? Then you're fully aware Michigan is a fishing paradise! With the Great Lakes at our doorstep, more than 11,000 inland lakes, and countless rivers and streams, anglers have endless options to explore across the state.

So not surprisingly, a new ranking has crowned Michigan among the top 5 states for fishing.

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New Study on America's Best Fishing States

FishingBooker just put out its America’s Best Fishing States Index of 2026, taking a look at where anglers are having the best experiences across the country. They looked at all 50 states and measured four main things: how much anglers are interested in fishing there, the quality of facilities, affordability, and geographic advantages.

👇BELOW: SEE HOW ALL 50 STATES RANK FOR FISHING👇

Mike Cox via Unsplash

How Michigan Scored in the 2026 Fishing Rankings

Michigan had a standout showing in the 2026 rankings, jumping to #3 nationwide with 119.5 points, up from #4 in 2025. It also earned the highest Geography score of any state, 34.5 out of 45, thanks to unmatched access to the Great Lakes, inland lakes, and river systems.

Facilities came in 14th nationally, reflecting reliable on-the-water services across the state, while Affordability ranked 28th, keeping Michigan competitive even as costs rise in other top states. Anglers’ Interest ranked 20th, showing that the state’s fishing quality is even better than its national profile might suggest.

FishingBooker also points out that Michigan waters offer an exceptional variety of species across all seasons:

Great Lakes: Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), Lake Trout, and Walleye
Inland lakes and rivers: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and Perch
Trout streams: Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout
Ice fishing: Crappie, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, and Walleye

Find more on Michigan from FishingBooker here.

Best Fishing States 2026

The Top 5 Fishing States in 2026 are:

Florida
Maryland
Michigan
South Carolina (tie)
North Carolina (tie)

UP NEXT: Michigan Golf Resorts Competes to be Best in the U.S.

Below, check out the full rankings for all 50 states, perfect for planning your next fishing trip!

Best States for Fishing 2026 - See How Your State Stacks Up

FishingBooker ranked all 50 states to determine where anglers are having the best experiences in 2026.

The study looked at factors like freshwater and saltwater opportunities, facilities, affordability, and overall accessibility. Flip through the gallery to see how each state performed and discover the top destinations for your next fishing trip.

Gallery Credit: Janna

Michigan's 58 Fishing Records: Species, Weight, Length, and Date

While fishing is considered a leisure sport, it can be incredibly competitive. From fishing tournaments to combo rod dock fishing, it's a sport that doesn't have age requirements to set records. All you need is a means to fish and measure your catch. According to LandBigFish.com, here's a look at the 58 fishing records set in Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow