Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems, emanating from sources such as personal care products, synthetic textiles, domestic items, fisheries, wastewater treatment facilities, and industrial discharges. Environmental factors including photooxidation, temperature, nutrient concentrations, and hydrodynamics affect their distribution and persistence. Microplastics are present in the water columns and sediments of lakes and rivers worldwide, with concentrations in freshwater sediments attaining levels similar to those of the most contaminated marine sediments. Microplastics, ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems, are consumed by organisms, resulting in physical damage and promoting the bioaccumulation of toxins, which contributes to biodiversity decline and potential human health hazards via trophic transfer. Microplastics present considerable health hazards to humans via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure, resulting in potential inflammation, oxidative stress, and organ impairment. Confronting these challenges requires standardized analytical techniques and comprehensive policies aimed at the sources of microplastic pollution. Microplastic pollution represents a worldwide ecological issue that requires international cooperation for effective management and mitigation. This overview analyses contemporary detection methods, encompassing thermo-analytical, chemical, and spectroscopic techniques, and assesses removal strategies including coagulation, filtration, and biodegradation. Furthermore, it underscores reduction strategies such as diminishing plastic consumption, improving waste management, and utilizing machine learning to refine treatment processes.