White Perch in Michigan
MDNR limits, records and waters for white perch.
- No possession limitlimit
- 2 lbrecord
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white perch in Michigan, the short version
Michigan regulations treat White perch (Morone americana) as other species, with the fish turning up in great lakes and inland. For statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered the MDNR prints No possession limit; season open all year.
The Michigan hook and line record weighs 2 lb, caught on Bear Lake in 2015.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered) | No possession limit | Open all year |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (Michigan DNR; rules run April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
white perch records by method
| Category | Weight | Length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 2 lb | 13.57 in | Bear Lake | Muskegon | 2015 |
MDNR State Record Fish table, retrieved October 22, 2026; the table prints the year only and no angler names.
Fish sharing a rule row with white perch
- Black Bullheadother species
- Brown Bullheadother species
- Yellow Bullheadother species
- Common Carpother species
- Freshwater Drumother species
- Bowfinother species
- Longnose Garother species
- Bigmouth Buffaloother species
- Black Buffaloother species
- American Eelother species
- Quillbackother species
- White Suckerother species
Michigan shorelines close to White Perch, in pictures
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Photo: Sandysphotos2009, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Asked and answered: Michigan white perch
What size limit applies to Michigan white perch?
No possession limit on statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered; season open all year. Other waters carry their own rows.
How big is the Michigan state record white perch?
2 lb from Bear Lake, Muskegon County, in 2015 (hook and line).
Which Michigan lakes hold white perch?
Lake and river pages on this site leave it out.
Has the MDNR planted any white perch lately?
The MDNR stocking table has no events for it.
Which waters does white perch live in?
Morone americana; other species in great lakes and inland.
In which months may white perch be kept here?
Open all year on statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered.
How much is a Michigan license to fish white perch?
Anglers 17 and older carry a Michigan all-species fishing license: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents, $11 for seniors or $10 for one day.
Can I hire a Michigan guide for white perch?
No guide listing mentions it.
Set up a trip for white perch
Open a listed lake for launches and seasons.