Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers throughout Michigan. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land.
Are there big catfish in Lake Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recorded the massive fish to have weighed a whopping 53.35 pounds, a state record that out beats the previous record recorded in 2014. In 2014, Dale Blakley, of Niles, caught a 52 pound flathead catfish out of Barron Lake in Cass County.
What’s the biggest catfish caught in Lake Michigan?
53.35 pounds
The fish weighed 53.35 pounds and measured 48 inches. The record was verified by Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin coordinator with the DNR.
What kind of catfish live in Lake Michigan?
In Michigan, we have 10 species of the catfish family,: bullheads (black, brown, and yellow), channel catfish, flathead catfish, madtoms (brindled, margined, northern, and tadpole) and stonecats. Most are found in the Lower Peninsula, with only bullheads and channel catfish found in the U.P.
How big are the catfish in Lake Michigan?
In productive waters, channel catfish often grow to over 30 inches and weigh more than 10 pounds. The current state record channel catfish weighed 40 pounds.
What is the best catfish bait?
Best Catfish Baits
- #1. Nightcrawler. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species.
- #2. Gizzard Shad.
- #3. White Suckers.
- #4. Skipjack Herring.
- #5. Stinkbait.
- #7. Bluegills.
- #8. Punchbait.
- #9. Chicken Livers.
Are Michigan catfish poisonous?
MICHIGAN (US)—Venomous catfish are far more common than previously thought, a new study finds. The good news is that most use their venom as a self-defense mechanism against predatory fish and not in an aggressive way, says Jeremy Wright, a graduate student at the University of Michigan.
What is the biggest creature in Lake Michigan?
The biggest ever? The largest verified lake sturgeon on record was caught in Lake Michigan. It weighed 300 lbs. and was eight feet long.
What is the rarest fish in Michigan?
“Although we can’t say that this gold smallmouth bass is a one-in-a-billion catch, we do know that it is extremely rare,” he said. The fish has a genetic condition called Xanthism, which causes yellow pigments to be more pronounced, Wehrly said.
What’s the biggest fish in the Great Lakes?
sturgeons
Musky or Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
Indeed, muskies are second only to sturgeons as the Great Lakes’ largest fish. Individuals have weighed in at more than 100 pounds and exceeded six feet in length! The average adult size is an impressive 28-48 inches (0.7-1.2 m) long with a weight of 5-36 pounds (2 to 16kg).
Are there piranhas in Lake Michigan?
While there’s been no official report of an actual piranha being caught in Lake Michigan, they have been found in smaller lakes around Michigan. At least according to the lifestyle blog Livn Fresh. Upon doing more research, it turns out that a few years ago ‘piranha type fish’ were caught near Detroit.
What are the biggest fish in Lake Michigan?
The official weight, 47.86 pounds, was measured on a certified scale by the DNR fisheries biologist.) Moonshine lure: Close-up view of the Moonshine raspberry carbon spoon lure used to catch the state-record Chinook salmon on Lake Michigan.
What is on the bottom of Lake Michigan?
While scanning underneath the waters of Lake Michigan for shipwrecks, archeologists found something a lot more interesting than they bargained for: they discovered a boulder with a prehistoric carving of a mastodon, as well as a series of stones arranged in a Stonehenge-like manner.
What lake has the most fish?
It is known for being one of the largest freshwater commercial fisheries in the world. Lake Erie contains 50% of all the fish that inhabit the five Great Lakes.
5. Lake Erie.
| Lake Erie | |
|---|---|
| Area | 9,910 sq mi |
| Depth | 210 ft |
| Number of fish species | 107 |
| Popular fish species | Walleye, smallmouth bass, sturgeon |
Where is the best place to catch catfish in Michigan?
One of the best places in the state to hook up with a catfish is right here in Western Michigan along the Grand River. Stretching 260 miles from headwater to mouth, the Grand River features numerous pockets of prime catfish habitat.
What is the best place to catch catfish?
During the day, look for catfish in muddy water areas, such as a tributary and its outflow. Also good are deep structures, like river bends, the base of drop-offs, deep holes, and humps. Catfish will also hold around cover, like standing timber and deep weed edges.
Does WD 40 catch catfish?
WD-40 is an oil based lubricant…. though it does work on many species of fish: Bass, Catfish, Pike, even Walleye ( I know from experience )… It is also illegal to use in some states as it contaminates the water.
Why do catfish like Kool-Aid?
The Kool-Aid will soak into the chunks and some of the liquid will come out of the meat to form a marinade that helps the flavor soak into the meat. This makes the flavor and sweet smell permeate the chunk and means the bait will keep its flavor and smell for a long time in the water.
Are hotdogs good catfish bait?
Hot dogs are a common food taken along on fishing excursions and double as excellent catfish bait. Points to remember when using hot dogs as catfish bait include: Cheaper hot dogs seem to catch more fish.
Can a catfish stab you?
Getting Impaled Or Stabbed By A Catfish
The dorsal and pectoral spines of a young catfish can prick or cut you badly, causing great pain. They can also quite literally impale you to the point that they are hard to remove from your flesh.
What happens if a catfish stings you?
Venomous catfish stings are a common environment hazard worldwide. Although these stings are often innocuous, significant morbidity may result from stings, including severe pain, retained foreign bodies, infection, respiratory compromise, arterial hypotension, and cardiac dysrhythmias.