Big-game hunters have it made. A variety of record books from Boone & Crocket, Buckmasters, Safari Club or Pope and Young can pinpoint the best hunting counties that produce the best trophy hunting.
Are they luckier than fishermen? Nope. Anglers can do much the same thing as hunters do. They can analyze and study the records for a certain species, and that gives them a heads-up about where to fish.
There's no need to buy a $30 to $50 book. We're happy to give you the latest and most accurate where-to-go information based on records kept by the Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Division. Barb Dilts has effectively run this program for years, and her skills at keeping accurate records is superb.
"Angling records can pinpoint some of the best waters to fish," Dilts said, "but a certain amount of luck and skill is required to catch a big fish. We offer programs for catch-and-keep and catch-and-release fishing."
What follows is based on the DNR's 2007 catch-and-keep category. Study this information, and try fishing some new spots. Detailed information about this program is found in the annual Michigan Fishing Guide.
Five hundred Master Angler fish were caught and kept in 2007. The listings below will detail the fish species, the state record in pounds and ounces and year it was caught, the minimum weight required for a Master Angler award patch, the 2007 record (by weight), the angler's name, his/her hometown, where he/she was fishing and in which county.
Atlantic Salmon
The 1981 record weighed 32.62 pounds, was 41 inches long, and the minimum requirement for a Master Angler Award is 12 pounds.
Only one fish was recorded last year, and Paul Barriger of Grand Blanc caught a 12.69 fish in Lake Huron off Chippewa County while trolling.
Black Buffalo
The 2004 state record weighed 33.25 pounds, was 36.50 inches long, and the minimum weight for this species is 10 pounds.
Again, only one fish was entered, and it was caught by Anthony Starks of Sparta after he landed a 28.81-pounder from the Grand River In Ottawa County while bow fishing.
Black Crappie
The 1947 state record weighed 4.12 pounds. The minimum weight now is 1.75 pounds.
The 2007 record 3.19-pound black crappie was caught by Julius Bockheim of Byron Center. He caught it in Blodgett Lake in Kent County. Key waters to try are Henderson Lake in Ogemaw County -- because it produced two large fish last year -- and Notawa Lake in Calhoun County, which produced two trophies.
Bluegill
The 1983 state record weighed 2.75 pounds, and was 13.75 inches long. The current minimum entry weight for this species is one pound.
Ronald May of Grant caught his 1.88-pound 'gill while fishing Croton Pond on the Muskegon River In Newaygo County. Other good bets include Hodenpyl Pond in Wexford County and AuSable Lake in Ogemaw County.
Bowfin
The 1981 state record weighed 14 pounds, was 35 inches long, and the minimum weight for recognition is seven pounds.
Donovan Kirkendall of Mattawan used a bow and arrow to take a 10-pound bowfin from Eagle Lake in Allegan County. Eagle Lake produced five big fish, Manistee Lake at Manistee gave up two and the Maple River in Gratiot County produced two Master Angler fish.
Brook Trout
The 1996 record fish weighed 9.50 pounds, was 28.10 inches long, and the minimum weight now is two pounds.
Madison Grandas of Flushing caught a 3.75-pound brookie from the Maple River in Emmet County. Other solid hotspots include Keweenaw Bay on Lake Superior (three fish) and Neds Lake in Schoolcraft County.
Brown Bullhead
The 1989 record weighed 3.62 pounds, was 17.50 inches long, and the minimum weight requirement for this species is 1.50 pounds.
Ryan Mathews of Jackson caught his 2007 record weighing 1.94 pounds while fishing with a minnow in Frenchman Lake in Chippewa County. One other big fish was caught here, and anglers also can try Lake Cadillac at Cadillac.
Brown Trout
A new 2007 record brown weighed 36.81 pounds, and was 43 inches long. It is the third largest in North America. The minimum weight is 16 pounds.
Casey Richey of Frankfort caught his all-time state record while trolling a Rapala on Lake Michigan at Frankfort on Mother's Day. Other top bets are Lake Michigan near Manistee and Frankfort, Lake Huron near Rogers City and the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City.
Burbot
The 1980 state record weighed 18.25 pounds, was 40 inches long, and the minimum weight requirement is five pounds.
The top burbot for 2007 was taken by Edward Kessel of Christmas, and his fish weighed 14.75 pounds. He caught it in Lake Superior off Alger County while ice fishing. The closest good bets for burbot are both arms of Grand Traverse Bay and Crystal Lake at Beulah. The upper Great Lakes are good.
Channel Catfish
The 1964 state record weighed 40 pounds, was 41.50 inches long, and the minimum weight in the catch-and-release category is eight pounds.
Anthony Grochowski of Herron was drift fishing with a crawler harness on Grand Lake in Presque Isle County when he landed a 21.44-pound catfish. Lake St. Clair led this category with four entries followed by Saginaw Bay with three entries.
Common Carp
The 1974 state record weighed 61.50 pounds, was 47.50 inches long, and the current minimum weight is 20 pounds.
Douglas Depcinski of Bay City caught the largest 2007 carp, and it weighed 32 pounds. It was caught while trolling on Saginaw Bay. Other hotspots like Wixom Lake produced six entries last year. Platte Lake also is good.
Flathead Catfish
The 1943 state record weighed 47.50 pounds, was 44 inches long, and the current minimum weight is 10 pounds.
Muskegon Lake at Muskegon produced a 36.50-pound fish for Johnny Hayes of Grand Rapids. The Grand, Muskegon and St. Joseph rivers produced several Master Angler award fish last year.
Freshwater Drum
The state record fish was caught in 1973, and weighed 26 pounds, was 37.50 inches long, and the minimum weight for entry is seven pounds.
Kenneth Clark of Whitehall was casting on White Lake in Muskegon County when he hooked and landed the 21.63-pound fish. Other good places to try are Platte Lake in Benzie County, Hamlin Lake at Ludington, Spring Lake in Ottawa County, and Lake St. Clair in Macomb County.
Green Sunfish
The 1990 state record weighed 1.53 pounds, was 10 inches long, and the minimum weight requirement is 0.75 pound.
Daniel Catto of Cadillac caught his 0.90-pound fish while casting with a worm on "No Name Lake" in Midland County. The only other green sunfish came from the Grand River in Ottawa County.
Lake Herring
The record for this species was caught in 1992, and weighed 5.40 pounds, was 25 inches long, and the minimum weight for entry is 2.50 pounds.
Liam Dearlove of Flushing trolled Grand Traverse Bay at Traverse City when he hooked a 3.56-pound herring on a spoon. It was the sole entry.
Lake Trout
The state record for this species was set in 1997 with a 61.50-pound fish that was 49 inches long, and minimum entry weight is 18 pounds.
Donita Frasier of AuTrain was trolling Lake Superior off Alger County when she caught a 41.40-pounder. Lake Superior provided seven entries, and Higgins Lake in Roscommon County and Green Lake in Grand Traverse County and Lake Charlevoix at Charlevoix each produced a big fish.
Lake Whitefish
The 1993 state record weighed 14.28 pounds, was 31.75 inches long, and the minimum weight restriction is six pounds.
Only two fish were entered, and Cecil Wares of Tawas City caught his 7.75-pound fish on a minnow while fishing Tawas Bay. The other fish came from the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay.
Largemouth Bass
The 1959 state record weighed 11.94 pounds, was 26 inches long, and the minimum entry weight now is six pounds.
Michael Eisenberg of Mattawan caught his trophy 8.12-pound fish on Paw Paw Lake in Van Buren County while casting a spinner. Other good spots are Glovers Lake in Manistee County and Doc and Tom Lake near Clare.
Longnose Gar
The 1995 state record was for a fishing that weighed 18 pounds and was 63 inches. The minimum weight to qualify is five pounds.
Jeffrey Haddix of Stanton used a bow and arrow to take the largest specimen in 2007. It weighed 8.08 pounds, Dickinson Lake in Montcalm County. Other good bets are Baseline Lake in Allegan County and Platte Lake in Benzie County.
Longnose Sucker
The 1986 state record weighed 6.88 pounds, was 22.50 inches, and the minimum weight for Master Angler status is two pounds.
Jack Powell of Cadillac caught the largest (and only entry) on worms from the Manistee River in Manistee County. It weighed 3 pounds.
Great Lakes Muskellunge
The 1984 state record weighed 48 pounds, and the minimum weight entry for this species is 20 pounds.
Mark Dawkins of Clawson caught his 37.55-pound fish while trolling Lake St. Clair in Macomb County. The two best bets for big fish are Lake St. Clair in Macomb County and the Black River in Cheboygan County. Three fish taken from the Black River were taken with a spear.
Northern Muskellunge
The state record for this trophy is 49.75 pounds, and it was 51 inches long, and the minimum weight requirement is 20 pounds.
Kenneth Rowe of Gladwin caught a 33-pound fish from Secord Lake in Gladwin County on a minnow while ice fishing. Sanford Lake in Midland County and Upper Crooked Lake in Barry County gave up big fish.
Northern Pike
The 1961 state record pike weighed 39 pounds, was 51.50 inches, and the minimum weight requirement for entering a fish is 18 pounds.
Brian Frederick of Albion caught his 25.30 pike while ice fishing with a shiner minnow on Winnipeg Lake in Calhoun County. Other top spots for big pike are the Dead River in Marquette County and Pere Marquette Lake in Mason County. Muskegon Lake is another great spot for big fish.
Pumpkinseed
The 2004 state record weighed 1.35 pounds, measured 11 inches, and 0.75 pounds is a minimum weight to enter this species.
Kyleigh Nelson of Linwood caught the state's largest in 2007 with a 1.25-pound fish while still-fishing George Lake in Ogemaw County. George Lake seems the best spot although Shear Lake in Oscoda County is good.
Quillback
The 2000 state record for this rather obscure species is eight pounds, was 25.25 inches long, and the minimum requirement is three pounds.
Only one specimen was entered, and Kevin Zoulek of Shelby took his 6.31-pound fish from Stony Lake in Oceana County. It was shot with a bow.
Rainbow Trout
The 1975 state record was 26.50 pounds, was 39.50 inches in length, and the minimum weight is 17 pounds.
Faina Shor of Farmington Hills caught the only entry in this category, and it weighed 17.25 pounds. It was caught on Lake Michigan off Berrien County.
Redear Sunfish
The 2002 state record weighed 1.97 pounds, was 12.75 inches long, and the minimum weight for entry is one pound.
James Williams of Morenci caught his 2007 record that weighed 1.75 pounds from Boots Lake in Hillsdale County. Also good are Nottawa Lake in Calhoun County or Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale County.
Redhorse
The state-record redhorse was caught in 1991, and it weighed 12.89 pounds and was 29.25 inches long. The minimum weight is four pounds.
Crystal Feldpausch of Riverdale caught a 2.75-pounder while still-fishing with a worm on the Chippewa River in Isabella County. Other spots are the Pere Marquette River in Mason County and the St. Clair River in St. Clair County.
Rock Bass
The 1963 state record weighted 3.62 pounds, was 20 inches long, and the minimum weight requirement is one pound.
Cody Burns of Alpena caught his 2007 record of 2.75 pounds while fishing Shupac Lake in Crawford County. Other solid choices are Lake Leelanau in Leelanau County, Green Lake in Grand Traverse County, and Torch Lake in Antrim County.
Round Whitefish (Menominee)
The 1992 state record weighed 4.06 pounds, measured 21.50 inches, and the minimum weight is one pound.
Marc Soles of Scottville caught his 2.25-pound trophy while still-fishing on Lake Michigan off Mason County. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan produced all the fish.
Smallmouth Bass
The oldest state record (1906) weighed 9.25 pounds, measured 27.25 pounds, and the minimum weight for an entry now is five pounds.
Thomas Tiethof of Zeeland caught his 7.25-pound smallie from Lake Skegemog in Kalkaska County. Other solid choices are Lake St. Clair in Macomb and St. Clair counties, Boardman River and Grand Traverse Bay in Grand Traverse County, and Elk River in Antrim County.
Splake
The 2004 state record weighed 17.50 pounds, was 34.50 inches long, and the minimum entry weight is six pounds.
Holly Wirgau of Rogers City caught the only entry in this category -- a fish weighing 8.50 pounds -- from Thumb (Louise) Lake in Charlevoix County. It is the best spot in the state for this species.
Walleye
The 1951 state record weighed 17.19 pounds, was 35 inches long, and the minimum weight for this species is 11 pounds.
Michael Frisco of Coloma caught the state's best walleye weighing 15.47 pounds while fishing the St. Joseph River in Berrien County. Other hotspots to try are Muskegon Lake and River in Muskegon County, Saginaw River in Saginaw County and Manistee Lake in Manistee County.
White Crappie
The state record was caught in 2000, and it weighed 3.39 pounds and was 19.50 inches long. The minimum entry weight is 1.75 pounds.
Larry Fath of Rhodes caught the only Master Angler specimen. It weighed 2.61 pounds, and was caught in Wixom Lake in Gladwin County.
White Sucker
The 1982 state record weighed 7.19 pounds. It was 28 inches long, and the minimum weight for this game fish is three pounds.
The top fish for the 2007 season was a 5.80-pounder caught by Larry Kilpatrick of Levering while fishing the Carp River in Emmet County. Other spots to try include the Manistee River in Kalkaska County and the Rifle River in Arenac County.
Yellow Bullhead
The largest specimen was caught in 2003, and it weighed 3.60 pounds and measured 26.80 inches. The minimum weight for entering is 1.50 pounds.
David Vandyke of Grand Rapids caught his 2.25-pound fish from Pickerel Lake in Newaygo County. Coldwater Lake In Isabella County and Dickerson Lake in Montcalm County are good spots to fish.
Yellow Perch
The 1947 state record has held up for all these years, and it weighed 3.75 pounds and was 21 inches long. The minimum weight is 1.81 pounds.
Matthew Dunford of Clare caught the state's largest perch last year, and it weighed 2.38 pounds. He caught the prize in Crooked Lake in Clare County while ice fishing. Other great spots to try include Saginaw Bay in Bay County, Muskegon Lake in Muskegon County and Pere Marquette Lake in Mason County.
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