White Bass Native
🔬 Morone chrysops
Schooling fish that erupts into explosive surface feeds on open water. Underrated sport fish — when you find a school, non-stop action.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Summer
Keeper size
10" at ~3 yrs
Regulations
limit 25
Where to Catch White Bass in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
| C. S. Mott Lake | Genesee | |
|
Cass Lake
1,280 acres
|
Oakland | |
|
Croton Pond
1,605 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Hardy Pond
4,025 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Lake Columbia
821 acres
|
Jackson | |
|
Lake Fenton
937 acres
|
Genesee | |
|
Lake Mitchell
2,580 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
|
Macomb | |
| Macatawa River | ||
|
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
|
Muskegon | |
|
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
|
Muskegon | |
| Ross Lake | Schoolcraft | |
| Secord Lake | ||
| White River | Newaygo | |
| White River | Oceana | |
| Wiggins Lake | ||
|
Wixom Lake
2,180 acres
|
Midland |
White Bass Conservation Status
Native White Bass is native to Michigan waters. Native to Michigan. Populations strong in Lake St. Clair and large connected rivers. Often overlooked sport fish. The daily bag limit is 25.
White Bass Habitat & Behavior
Open water and river channels of large inland lakes and the Great Lakes. Moves into rivers in spring to spawn. DNR records show White Bass present in 19 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Schoolcraft, Oceana and Newaygo counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct.
Best White Bass Techniques
Small white jigs, tube jigs, spinners, small crankbaits — follow surface activity and work fast
Best White Bass Baits
Small shad imitations, spinners, jigs, live minnows, surface lures
White Bass Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Spring spawning runs in rivers can produce exceptional fishing. Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair are top destinations.
⚠️ 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 White Bass Stocking Records
White Bass Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Jun 2, 1984 | White River | Oceana | 681 | 9.5" |
| Jun 1, 1984 | White River | Oceana | 993 | 9.5" |
| Jun 1, 1984 | White River | Newaygo | 993 | 9.5" |
| May 27, 1983 | White River | Oceana | 615 | — |
| May 27, 1983 | White River | Newaygo | 615 | — |
| May 20, 1983 | Macatawa River | 17 | — | |
| Jun 5, 1981 | C. S. Mott Lake | Genesee | 83 | — |
Most valuable for White Bass anglers
See where White Bass will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 7 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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14
Historical stocking events
7
Lakes stocked
May
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
May
Jun
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with White 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 White Bass — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature White Bass Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold White Bass at keeper size (10") today.
Best Times to Fish White Bass
Angler Tips for White Bass
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