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Michigan regulations

Lake Trout Regulations in Michigan 2026

Michigan Lake Trout regulations as of 2026-05-08: Possession 1 fish; Min size 30 inches; Possession 1 fish. Sourced from DNR.

DNRVerified Official source

About Lake Trout

Rules (86)

Michigan statewide
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Possession
10 fish
Min size
15"
Banks
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Clark
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Corey
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Cub
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Deer Island
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Dorothy
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
East Bear
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Elsie
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Fisher
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Florence
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Germain
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Glimmerglass
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Golden Silence
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Hay
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Helen
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
High
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Honey
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Jay
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Johnston Springs
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Katherine
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Kerr
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Lake Type C
Min size
8"
Lake Type F
Min size
10"
Liluis
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Lois
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Loon
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Louise
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Marsh
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Mh 1: Detour, Cedarville, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Rogers CityIn season
Season opens
Jan 1
Season closes
Sep 30
Possession
3 fish
Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Mh 3-6: Harrisville, Tawas, Grindstone, Harbor Beach, LexingtonOpen
Status
Open
Possession
3 fish
Open All Year (lake trout and splake) Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Mh-2: Presque Isle, Rockport, Alpena, Black R.In season
Season opens
Jan 1
Season closes
Sep 30
Possession
3 fish
Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Mi 1-3: Windigo, Ontonagon, Copper HarborOpen
Status
Open
Possession
3 fish
Min size
34"
Open All Year Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit daily possession limit shall not include more than 1 lake trout 34" or greater
Mi 4-8: Big Bay, Marquette, Au Train, Munising, Grand Marais, Pendills Bay, Brimley State Park
Possession
5 fish
Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Mm 1-5: Menominee, Escanaba, Manistique, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Traverse City, Northport, Leland, Frankfort, Platte BayIn season
Season opens
Jan 1
Season closes
Sep 30
Possession
2 fish
Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Mm 6-8: Arcadia, Manistee, Ludington, Grand Haven, Holland, New BuffaloOpen
Status
Open
Possession
3 fish
Open All Year (lake trout and splake) Lake Trout and Splake Combined Possession Limit
Moss
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Mountain
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Snap Jack
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Trapper
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
West Bear
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Whitefish
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.

Also known as

Lake Trout is also called lakers. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Michigan.

Frequently asked questions

When is Lake Trout season in Michigan?

Lake Trout season in Michigan runs from Jan 1 to Sep 30 per DNR.

What is the size limit for Lake Trout in Michigan?

Minimum size for Lake Trout in Michigan is 30 inches in Banks, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Michigan?

Daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Michigan is 5 fish/day, per DNR.

Official sources cited

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .

← All Michigan fishing regulations