Pumpkinseed Native
🔬 Lepomis gibbosus
One of Michigan's most colorful fish — brilliant orange, blue, and green markings. Common in weedy shallows alongside bluegill. Easy to catch, great for beginners.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Summer
Keeper size
6" at ~3 yrs
Ice fishing
Viable target
Regulations
limit 25
Where to Catch Pumpkinseed in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ada Township Park Pond | ||
|
Big Blue Lake
620 acres
|
Muskegon | |
|
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Cass Lake
1,280 acres
|
Oakland | |
|
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
|
Charlevoix | |
|
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
|
Benzie | |
|
Duck Lake
490 acres
|
Muskegon | |
|
Fremont Lake
1,700 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Gull Lake
2,030 acres
|
Kalamazoo | |
|
Gun Lake
2,680 acres
|
Barry | |
|
Gun Lake
665 acres
|
Allegan | |
|
Hamlin Lake
5,000 acres
|
Mason | |
| Hanson Hills Pond | ||
| Hermansville Lake | ||
|
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
|
Roscommon | |
| John Ball Park Ponds | ||
|
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Lake Columbia
821 acres
|
Jackson | |
| Lake Delta (Erickson Pond) |
Pumpkinseed Conservation Status
Native Pumpkinseed is native to Michigan waters. Common panfish in weedy bays statewide. Often found alongside bluegill with no population concerns. The daily bag limit is 25.
Pumpkinseed Habitat & Behavior
Shallow, weedy bays and dock edges. Often found mixed with bluegill in similar habitat across Michigan. DNR records show Pumpkinseed present in 50 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Marquette, Lake and Wexford counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct. Pumpkinseed is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
Best Pumpkinseed Techniques
Small worms, crickets, tiny jigs near docks and weed edges — same approach as bluegill
Best Pumpkinseed Baits
Wax worms, red worms, small jigs, tiny spinners, crickets
Pumpkinseed Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Counted in the combined sunfish limit with Bluegill, Rock Bass, and Green Sunfish.
⚠️ 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 Pumpkinseed Stocking Records
Pumpkinseed Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Jun 8, 1993 | Lake Cadillac | Wexford | 25 | 7.0" |
| Aug 28, 1992 | Little Traverse Lake | Leelanau | 129 | 3.5" |
| May 24, 1990 | John Ball Park Ponds | 75 | 5.0" | |
| Jun 1, 1989 | Sundog Lake | 90 | 6.5" | |
| Jun 30, 1988 | Lake Delta (Erickson Pond) | 150 | 6.0" | |
| Apr 14, 1988 | Hanson Hills Pond | 42 | 7.0" | |
| Jun 19, 1987 | Long Lake | Alpena | 1,492 | 3.5" |
| Jun 19, 1987 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | 1,492 | 3.5" |
| Jun 9, 1983 | Richmond Park Pond | 300 | — | |
| May 12, 1983 | Shelldrake Dam Impoundment | 75 | — | |
| Jun 3, 1981 | Ada Township Park Pond | 55 | — | |
| Jun 2, 1981 | Pratt Lake | Luce | 48 | — |
Most valuable for Pumpkinseed anglers
See where Pumpkinseed will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 19 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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24
Historical stocking events
19
Lakes stocked
May
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Jun
May
Jul
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Pumpkinseed 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 Pumpkinseed — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Pumpkinseed Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Pumpkinseed at keeper size (6") today.
Best Times to Fish Pumpkinseed
❄️ Pumpkinseed is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
Angler Tips for Pumpkinseed
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