Brook Trout ⚠ Special Concern
🔬 Salvelinus fontinalis
Michigan's only native trout — a true gem of the north. Prefer pristine, cold headwater streams in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Fall
Keeper size
8" at ~2 yrs
Regulations
8" min · limit 5
Where to Catch Brook Trout in Michigan
Brook Trout Conservation Status
⚠ Special Concern Brook Trout is listed as a species of special concern in Michigan. Michigan's only native trout. Requires cold, clean headwater streams — the clearest indicator of watershed health. Populations in southern Michigan have declined due to warming waters and sedimentation. UP and northern Lower Michigan populations remain strong. Michigan requires a minimum length of 8" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.
Brook Trout Habitat & Behavior
Cold, clean headwater streams and spring seeps. Stocked in select inland lakes. Sensitive to warm water — gone when temps hit 68°F. DNR records show Brook Trout present in 622 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Marquette, Delta and Schoolcraft counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
Best Brook Trout Techniques
Small spinners, dry flies, wet flies, small worms — match the hatch in clear streams
Best Brook Trout Baits
Night crawlers, small spinners, flies, wax worms, small minnows
Brook Trout Fishing Regulations in Michigan
8"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Last Saturday in April – September 30 (most streams)
Season
Cold, clean streams of the Upper Peninsula are prime habitat. Some UP waters allow fishing year-round.
⚠️ 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 Brook Trout Stocking Records
Brook Trout Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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| May 19, 2026 | Haymeadow Creek | Delta | 550 | 8.7" |
| May 18, 2026 | Holland Lake | Luce | 165 | 8.7" |
| May 18, 2026 | Moon Lake | Gogebic | 725 | 8.7" |
| May 18, 2026 | Syphon Lake | Luce | 247 | 8.7" |
| May 18, 2026 | Hayward Lake | Menominee | 154 | 8.7" |
| May 18, 2026 | Driggs River | Schoolcraft | 1,320 | 8.4" |
| May 18, 2026 | Driggs River | Schoolcraft | 2,749 | 8.4" |
| May 15, 2026 | Carp River | Marquette | 730 | 8.6" |
| May 15, 2026 | Carp River | Marquette | 729 | 8.6" |
| May 15, 2026 | Strawberry Lake | Marquette | 787 | 8.6" |
| May 15, 2026 | Yellow Dog River | Marquette | 1,900 | 8.6" |
| May 14, 2026 | Haymeadow Creek | Delta | 730 | 8.6" |
Most valuable for Brook Trout anglers
See where Brook Trout will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 462 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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8,202
Historical stocking events
462
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
May
Oct
Apr
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Brook Trout 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 Brook Trout — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Brook Trout Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2023–2025, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Brook Trout at keeper size (8") today.
Best Times to Fish Brook Trout
Angler Tips for Brook Trout
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