Largemouth Bass Native
🔬 Micropterus salmoides
Michigan's most popular sport fish. Found in weedy, warm-water lakes statewide.
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Bite this month
Excellent
Best season
Spring, Summer
Keeper size
14" at ~4 yrs
Regulations
14" min · limit 5
Where to Catch Largemouth Bass in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Coldwater Lake
1,561 acres
|
Branch | |
|
Gull Lake
2,030 acres
|
Kalamazoo | |
|
Gun Lake
2,680 acres
|
Barry | |
|
Gun Lake
665 acres
|
Allegan | |
|
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Magician Lake
755 acres
|
Cass | |
|
Ore Lake
233 acres
|
Livingston | |
|
Paw Paw Lake
1,000 acres
|
Van Buren | |
|
Pickerel Lake
840 acres
|
Newaygo | |
| 40th Street Pond | St. Clair | |
| Alcona Pond | Alcona | |
| Algoe Lake | Lapeer | |
| Alma Impoundment | Gratiot | |
| Ambrose Lake | Ogemaw | |
| Andrus Lake | ||
| Arcadia Lake | Manistee | |
| Arnold Lake | Clare | |
| Au Sable Lake | Ogemaw | |
| Au Train Lake | ||
| AuGres | Arenac |
Largemouth Bass Conservation Status
Native Largemouth Bass is native to Michigan waters. Abundant across Michigan. One of the most popular sport fish in the state. Michigan requires a minimum length of 14" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.
Largemouth Bass Habitat & Behavior
Warm, weedy lakes statewide. Prefers shallow bays with lily pads, submerged timber, and vegetation. DNR records show Largemouth Bass present in 690 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Mackinac, Alger and Schoolcraft counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov.
Best Largemouth Bass Techniques
Plastic worms, crankbaits, topwater frogs near lily pads
Best Largemouth Bass Baits
Plastic worms, crawfish imitations, swimbaits, topwater frogs, spinnerbaits
Largemouth Bass Fishing Regulations in Michigan
14"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Year-round (catch-and-release Jan 1–last Sat in April on many inland lakes)
Season
On designated Two-Story lakes, a 15" minimum size may apply. Check the DNR Fishing Guide for your specific water.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Largemouth Bass Stocking Records
Largemouth Bass Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Apr 29, 2023 | Thread Creek | 25 | 5.5" | |
| Nov 29, 2022 | Lake Bel Air | 100 | 5.0" | |
| Nov 23, 2022 | Big Clinton Lake | 400 | 7.0" | |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake | Lapeer | 110 | 7.0" |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake | Leelanau | 110 | 7.0" |
| Oct 28, 2022 | Hopkins Lake | Shiawassee | 130 | 6.5" |
| Oct 29, 2021 | Lake Ogemaw | 400 | 6.0" | |
| Nov 1, 2020 | Rainy Lake | 381 | 7.0" | |
| Oct 15, 2020 | Lake Ogemaw | 500 | 7.0" | |
| May 15, 2020 | Bertha Lake | 150 | 7.0" | |
| Oct 26, 2019 | Middle Straits Lake | Oakland | 270 | 5.9" |
| Oct 22, 2019 | Long Lake | Alpena | 240 | 6.0" |
Most valuable for Largemouth Bass anglers
See where Largemouth Bass will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 221 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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532
Historical stocking events
221
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Oct
Aug
Jul
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Largemouth Bass next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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Estimated Mature Largemouth Bass — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Largemouth Bass Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2021–2023, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Largemouth Bass at keeper size (14") today.
Best Times to Fish Largemouth Bass
Angler Tips for Largemouth Bass
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