Michigan ranked No. 7 state for fishing

Chandra Fleming, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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Lloyd Tanner of Indiana caught a record-breaking flathead catfish in the St. Joe River last May.
Lloyd Tanner of Indiana caught a record-breaking flathead catfish in the St. Joe River last May.

It only makes sense that the home to the Great Lakes would find itself in the top 10 list for being one of the best states for fishing.

Just in time for National Hunting and Fishing Day. which was celebrated Saturday, Michigan finds itself at seventh place for Lawn Love's 2022's Best and Worst States for Fishing.

The 50 states and the District of Columbia were measured on a couple of scales involving community interest, access to gear and bait shops, proximity to water sources, and license affordability, among 22 metrics for this list.

Here's how the state ranked in various categories:

  • Number of Walleye Fishing Clubs − 1st

  • Coastal or landlocked landscape − 1st

  • Number of free fishing days − 6th

  • Bait and Tackle Shops per 100,000 residents − 38th

The top six states best for fishing that beat Michigan, starting with No. 1, were Florida, Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

States that fell short under Michigan were New York, South Carolina, and North Carolina being in 10th place.

In the earlier parts of 2022, cautions were being taken because the Great Lakes region was experiencing a heat wave. The lakes were experiencing higher temperatures than average more often than usual. This could be seen as an issue for fish and other aquatic species because some are used to cold temperatures and struggle to adapt to warmer temperatures.

But the Mitten is known for producing some whopping big fish to the delight of anglers.

In June, a man pulled a record-breaking 53.35-pound flathead catfish from St. Joseph River in Berrien County by bait casting. In 2014, a similar but a tad smaller flathead catfish was found in Barren Lake in Cass County weighing in at 52 pounds, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Almost annually, a lucky fisherman finds a record-breaking catch. In 2020, Freep wrote about two fishermen in Michigan who had record hauls.

To be considered a record-breaking fish, it has to be verified by the DNR.

Typical fish found in Michigan include trout, salmon, walleye, bluegill, and bass, according to a Free Press article in 2018 regarding how to prepare for fishing in Michigan.

Sport fishing is a big industry for Michigan, with the Michigan United Conservation Club estimating that through licensing fees, taxes, and tourism, it brings in $2.3 billion annually to Michigan's economy.

Lawn Love is a California-based lawn care company.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan ranked No. 7 for best state for fishing