MI Fisherman Nabs Record-Setting Fish On Lake St. Clair

MICHIGAN — A metro Detroit fisherman set a new state record after reeling in what he called a "monstrous" white perch on Lake St. Clair last month, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Scott Smith, of Adrian, was fishing with a friend on April 25 when he caught a white perch weighing 2 pounds, 5.92 ounces and measuring 16.25 inches, according to officials.

The fish was their last catch of the day and was big enough to break the previous record of 2 pounds and 13.57 inches, caught by Cindy Cordo out of Muskegon County’s Bear Lake in 2015, according to officials.

"I’ve been fishing in Michigan for close to 65 years," Smith said. "I grew up fishing the Detroit River. We used to ride our bikes down there as kids, throw in a line with our bait and ‘ride’ the catch home."

Smith is no stranger to big fish, as his first world record came from the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame for a rainbow trout in 1996. His latest catch though, is his first state-record fish.

As a dentist and fly-fishing guide, Smith also has been a fly-fishing instructor in northern Michigan for 35 years. He now holds 53 world records - a mix of line-class and all-tackle awards - in fly-fishing and has participated in fishing tournaments around the globe.

"Sometimes you’re in the right spot at the right time, and sometimes you just get lucky," Smith said.