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Largemouth Bass Native

🔬 Micropterus salmoides

Michigan's most popular sport fish. Found in weedy, warm-water lakes statewide.

1-3 lbs, 12-18 inches
Typical size
11 lbs 15 oz
Michigan record
Spring, Summer
Best season
690
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 11 lbs 15 oz ·Robert Annett ·Dundee Mill Pond ·Monroe County ·1959 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Largemouth Bass

Jan
Fair
Feb
Fair
Mar
Good
Apr
Excellent
May
Excellent
Jun
Excellent
Jul
Good
Aug
Good
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Fair

🛡 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 Luce 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.

🌊 Where to Catch Largemouth Bass in Michigan

Lake County Population
Coldwater Lake
1,561 acres
 Branch Excellent
Gull Lake
2,030 acres
 Kalamazoo Excellent
Gun Lake
2,680 acres
 Barry Excellent
Gun Lake
665 acres
 Allegan Excellent
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
 Wexford Excellent
Magician Lake
755 acres
 Cass Excellent
Ore Lake
233 acres
 Livingston Excellent
Paw Paw Lake
1,000 acres
 Van Buren Excellent
Pickerel Lake
840 acres
 Newaygo Excellent
40th Street Pond St. Clair Good
Alcona Pond Alcona Good
Algoe Lake Lapeer Good
Alma Impoundment Gratiot Good
Ambrose Lake Ogemaw Good
Andrus Lake Good
Arcadia Lake Manistee Good
Arnold Lake Clare Good
Au Sable Lake Ogemaw Good
Au Train Lake Good
AuGres Arenac Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesLargemouth Bass
Quantity400 fish
StockedNov 23, 2022
Size at stocking7.0"
Lake Big Clinton Lake

📋 Largemouth Bass Stocking Events by Lake

Date Lake County Quantity Size
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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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
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Full stocking history across all 221 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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See which Michigan lakes are likely to be stocked with Largemouth Bass next — view the stocking forecast →

📋 Quick Largemouth Bass Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Largemouth Bass

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