Learn About Different Species of Michigan Fish

January 28, 2026

It’s cold out there, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still catch fish for dinner or just for sport. Ice fishing is big in Michigan, so let’s look at some of the popular species that Michigan ice fishermen catch.

Popular Ice Fishing Species in Michigan

Panfish (Very Popular & Abundant)

  • Bluegill – One of the most commonly caught fish through the ice

  • Crappie (Black & White) – Often caught during early morning or evening

  • Perch (Yellow Perch) – Especially popular in Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and inland lakes

  • Pumpkinseed (Sunfish)

Predator Fish

  • Northern Pike – Common in weedy lakes and shallow bays

  • Walleye – A top target in lakes like Saginaw Bay, Lake Gogebic, and many inland lakes

  • Muskellunge (Musky) – Less common, but legal to ice fish in certain waters

  • Smallmouth Bass – Occasionally caught, though often less active in winter

  • Largemouth Bass – Frequently caught incidentally while targeting other species

Trout & Salmon (Where Legal and Stocked)

  • Lake Trout – Popular in deep lakes and Great Lakes waters

  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) – Found in some inland lakes and reservoirs

  • Brown Trout – Less common but present in select waters

  • Splake – A hybrid trout stocked in some Michigan lakes

  • Brook Trout – Occasionally caught in smaller, cold inland lakes

If you need any supplies of equipment for your ice fishing adventure, contact Slowen Outdoors today!