I got this Email from the Michigan DNR today.
Angler Catches 58-Pound Great Lakes Muskellunge in Antrim County, Breaks State Record
A new state record was recently confirmed by the DNR! The new record comes courtesy of a Great Lakes muskellunge caught on Saturday, October 13 at 10:30 a.m. by Joseph Seeberger on Lake Bellaire in Antrim County. The fish weighed 58 pounds, measured 59 inches long and had a girth of 29 inches.
Seeberger, of Portage, was actually bass fishing with a minnow at the time when he caught the fish. It took nearly two hours to land and required the help of two friends.
The record was verified by Patrick Hanchin, a DNR fisheries biologist at the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station and Conservation Officer Steve Speigl.
The previous state record Great Lakes muskellunge was caught by Kyle Anderson of Rapid City on Torch Lake in Antrim County on September 27, 2009. That fish weighed 50.5 pounds and measured 56.13 inches.
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 state records in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.
Joseph Seeberger (center), his fishing companions and the state record Great Lakes muskellunge.