Fishing in Michigan? Here Are the Fish You’ll Find

April 1st marks the official first day of the fishing season here in Michigan. As the water temperatures start warming up, more and more anglers will don their bibs, tie their lines, and try catching some of Michigan's many fish.

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Recent trends around Michigan have seen an increase in first-time fishing license-purchasers, with a spike in fishing popularity taking place in 2020 and staying fairly-steady since. So, whether you're new or returning to fishing, it's important to know what fish you could find nibbling at the end of your hook.

Fishing In Michigan

Considering there are over 155 different kinds of fish in Michigan, showcasing every fish here would be an incredibly daunting task. However, the State of Michigan has identified which fish are the most common to be caught around the state, as well as which fish are endangered, threatened, etc.

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This allows anglers the ability to compare their fish to the State's database and provides an overview of each fish. Bass, Trout, salmon, and more inhabit our waters, so lets take a peek. While fishing can be fun and a good way to source your own protein, it is important to adhere to fishing regulations. Michigan has updated the regulations for 2025, which you can view here.