Really Big Fish Aren't Getting Away in Michigan

Garrett Reid shows off the state-record quillback he bowfished on Hardy Dam Pond, besting the previous record by more than a quarter of a pound. (Photo submitted)

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Michigan anglers have been having good luck landing record fish lately.

Garrett Reid, of Nashville, MI, landed a record-setting quillback carpsucker while fishing on Hardy Dam Pond in Newaygo County about 10 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The 8.25-pound, 24-inch-long fish was the fourth state-record fish caught in 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.

The record was verified by Todd Grischke, a DNR fisheries biologist in Lansing.

The previous state-record quillback carpsucker was caught by Benjamin Frey, also on Hardy Dam Pond, Aug. 29, 2014. That fish weighed 8.25 pounds and measured 22.62 inches.

Two other record fish were confirmed in April, a black buffalo and white perch.

The state record for black buffalo was broken by a fish caught by Sage Colegrove of Muskegon on the Grand River in Ottawa County Sunday, April 12, at 1 a.m. Colegrove was bowfishing. The fish weighed 44.54 pounds and measured 38.50 inches.

The record was verified by Rich O’Neal, a DNR fisheries biologist in Muskegon.

The previous state-record black buffalo was caught by Joshua Teunis on Bear Lake (Muskegon County) June 15, 2014. That fish weighed 41.25 pounds and measured 38.25 inches.

The state record for white perch was broken by a fish caught by Cindy Lou Cordo of North Muskegon on Bear Lake in Muskegon County Saturday, April 18, at 4:30 p.m. Cordo was baitcasting with a spinner. The fish weighed 2.0 pounds and measured 13.57 inches.

The record again was verified by O’Neal.

The previous state-record white perch was caught by Aaron Slagh on Muskegon Lake (Muskegon County) Jan. 21, 2014. That fish weighed 1.93 pounds and measured 13.25 inches.

The first record-setting fish of the year was a freshwater drum, caught at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Gun Lake in Barry County. Leep was spearing when he caught the fish, which weighed 28.61 pounds and measured 34.02 inches.

Kregg Smith, a DNR fisheries biologist in Plainwell, verified the record.

James Black caught the previous state-record freshwater drum, weighing 26 pounds and measuring 37.5 inches, on Muskegon Lake May 28, 1973.

State records are recognized by weight only. To qualify for a state record, fish must exceed the current listed state record weight and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.

For more information on fishing in Michigan – including a roster of state-record catches, visit michigan.gov/fishing.